Canadian Armed Forces Personnel - Commissioned Officer
Commissioned officers plan, organize, lead, and manage operations and training activities in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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Air Force Personnel, Armed Forces Personnel, Logistics Manager, Military Personnel, Navy Personnel, Nurse, Pilot, Signals Officer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
Interest in co-ordinating information to command activities of military combat units such as armoured, artillery and infantry battalions; in developing policies and directing training; and in evaluating unit performance; may command and lead units as part of United Nations' peacekeeping role in foreign countries
Interest in implementing military procedures and policies and in ensuring activities of units are conducted according to military practices
Interest in supervising subordinates in training; and in assuming responsibility for welfare, morale and discipline of units
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Commissioned officers’ tasks vary. But in general, they:
Commissioned officers are classified into the following groups:
Commissioned officers must wear uniforms when on duty. They must conform to Canadian Armed Forces rules and regulations. Other working conditions vary a great deal. Commissioned officers may be posted anywhere in Canada or overseas. They are subject to transfer. Some assignments involve dangerous situations.
Commissioned officers need:
They should enjoy:
There are several “entry plans” (ways to join) for commissioned officers in the Canadian Armed Forces. For each plan, candidates must:
Entry is competitive. Not all entry plans are always open. Candidates for certain classifications are recruited only as needed. When openings are forecast, the Canadian Armed Forces reviews applications on file and chooses candidates.
There are 5 entry plans:
1. Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP)
2. Reserve Entry Training Plan (RETP)
3. Direct Entry Officer (DEO)
4. Medical Officer Training Plan (MOTP)
5. Dental Officer Training Plan (DOTP)
All officers must complete a basic training course. These are conducted for most classifications at Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School (CFLRS) in St. Jean, Quebec. Unless they are fluently bilingual when they enrol, most officers take courses in their second official language in the period between basic officer training and initial classification training.
A special program, the Aboriginal Leadership Opportunities Year (ALOY), is a 1-year educational and leadership experience through the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. For more information, visit the Canadian Forces Indigenous programs website.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Commissioned officers are employed by the Canadian Armed Forces. Competition for officer training positions is keen.
Promotions are based on time in rank, performance and the availability of positions. After completing the required term of service, officers may transfer their skills to related civilian occupations.
While officers are in training, their entry plans determine how much they are paid. ROTP officers earn $1,600 a month while in university.
After training, there are separate rates of pay for general officers and specialist officers. The 2019 sample annual salary ranges for general service officers are:
Medical, dental, legal, and pilot officers have higher pay scales than general service officers.
Benefits include annual holidays, clothing upkeep allowance, pension plan, free medical and dental coverage, education allowance, and environmental allowances, which depend on postings.
Canadian Armed Forces Recruiting website: www.canada.ca
Royal Military College of Canada (Kingston, Ontario) website: www.rmc-cmr.ca
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Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.