The Canadian Armed Forces offer a variety of career paths. They offer good salaries and benefits, paid education and training, and opportunities for advancement.
A career with Canada’s military offers flexibility, adventure, and diverse experiences. Support humanitarian and peacekeeping operations abroad. Serve your country at home during domestic emergencies. Learn cutting edge skills and use the latest technology. Do work that makes a difference.
About Canada’s Armed Forces
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is the military arm of the federal government. Its role is to:
- Defend the country
- Support global peace and security
- Conduct search-and-rescue operations
- Respond to emergencies, humanitarian crises, and natural disasters in Canada and abroad
The CAF has 3 “elements” or branches:
- The Canadian Army focuses on land-based operations.
- The Royal Canadian Navy protects Canada’s interests on the seas.
- The Royal Canadian Air Force manages Canada’s air space and aerospace operations. It supports ground and naval forces with surveillance aircraft, fighter jets, and helicopters.
The 3 elements of the CAF work together. They are coordinated by Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff. She is responsible for command, control, and administration as well as military strategy and plans. She reports to the Minister of National Defence. King Charles is the Commander-in-Chief. He is represented by Canada’s Governor General.
Service categories
Regular and reserve forces
Canadian Armed Forces personnel fall into 2 groups: the regular force and the reserve force.
Members of the regular force serve full time and sign on for 3 to 5 years, depending on their trade. After training, they are posted where their services are needed. When the finish their first term, they can choose to re-enlist for another 3-to-5-year term or a 25-year lifetime contract.
Members of the reserve force serve part time or on short-term contracts. They typically sign up with a local regiment and serve close to home. They may need to train away from home. However, they are not required to move to accept an assignment. They have no set service term and can leave the CAF whenever they wish.
Reserve members can serve as professional soldiers, sailors, or aviators while maintaining a civilian life. They typically work one evening a week and some weekends, but usually no more than 12 days per month. Training and assignments are voluntary. Only a federally declared national emergency—such as a war or invasion—could require them to serve full time in Canada or overseas.
Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C)
The CMVF3C is a national collaboration among partners from post-secondary institutions (PSIs), the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), military members, veterans, their families, and supporting organizations. They provide information and resources for military and veteran students, their families, Post-Secondary Institutions, and CMVF3C partners.
Rank
The CAF operate under a strict hierarchical structure. This maintains order and discipline and ensures clarity of command. Insignia—badges worn on uniforms—indicate each person’s rank within the structure.
Non-commissioned members, non-commissioned officers, and commissioned officers
You can join the Canadian Armed Forces as a non-commissioned member (NCM) or a commissioned officer (CO). The chief criterion is your level of education.
Non-commissioned members are the skilled workforce of the CAF. Their technical and administrative skills support daily business and complex military operations within Canada and abroad. To join as an NCM, you must have at least a grade 10 education.
With training and experience, you can become a non-commissioned officer (NCO). NCOs serve in instructional, leadership, and advisory roles. They hold ranks such as corporal and sergeant (army/air force) or petty officer/warrant officer (navy).
Once you are an NCO, you can become a commissioned officer (CO). (A commission is a mandate from the King to lead his soldiers.) Or, if you have at least a grade 12 diploma, you can join the CAF as a cadet (subordinate officer). If you want, you can work through the ranks of junior officer, senior officer, and general (commanding) officer.
COs analyze business and operational challenges, make decisions and plans, and manage personnel and resources. With training and experience, they can progress from leading small teams to complex command and leadership positions.
Occupations and Careers
When you enter service in the CAF, you sign up to an element (army, navy, or air force) and an occupation. After you accept your enrolment offer, you complete 9 weeks of paid basic training. You then complete paid training for your occupation or trade.
Once you finish training, you are Operationally Functional. You can then receive your first assignment as a full-fledged member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Choosing a career path
The Canadian Armed Forces career profiles give details on 107 careers in 12 categories. Each profile includes training requirements, entry plans, work environment, related careers, and more.
When you apply to the CAF, you must select up to 3 occupational choices. If you’re only interested in 1 occupation, or are already qualified in an occupation, don’t list any other options.
When your enrolment is processed, you will receive an employment offer for the occupation that best suits the CAF’s operational needs.
Some CAF careers—like dental technician and vehicle technician—are closely related to civilian careers. Others—like gunner and sonar operator—have military-specific applications.
Applications for careers in high demand are processed most quickly.
Joining the Canadian Armed Forces
How to join
Check out the Canadian Armed Forces “How to Join” page to learn about eligibility, ways to join, the application process, and basic training requirements. You can also contact a local recruiting office or the CAF’s online help centre.
Eligibility
All applicants to the Canadian Armed Forces must:
- Be Canadians or permanent residents
- Meet age requirements:
- NCM applicants must be at least 17 or have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
- Officer applicants must be at least 16 or have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
- Meet the educational requirements of your chosen program (if you’re applying under a paid education pathway)
- Pass a medical examination and recruitment interview
- Pass security and background checks
The application process
There are 5 steps in the application process. You can complete the first steps online.
1. Submit your application and supporting documents.
- You must complete a Security Screening form. You will need to provide 3 references, your employment history, and your education history.
2. Fill out the required reliability screening forms.
- This allows the CAF to conduct a background check. This will include a credit history check, a criminal record check, and interviews with your references.
3. Complete an online Scored Employment Application Form (SEAF).
- The SEAF evaluates your expectations, achievement orientation, physical fitness, teamwork and leadership experience, and well-roundedness. It includes a 30-minute personality test to help recruiters assess and rank your application.
4. Pass a two-part medical exam.
5. Complete an interview with a military career counsellor.
Once your application has been evaluated, the CAF will make a job offer. If you accept, you will be eligible to start basic training.
Entry pathways
Your education and qualifications when you apply determine your path to a CAF career.
- If you already have a trade or profession, you’ll take the direct entry route.
- If you need to earn an educational credential or learn a trade, you’ll take the paid education option.
Direct entry
With direct entry, you proceed from basic training to:
- Your chosen profession or trade, or
- Whatever career-related on-the-job training the CAF require.
Test drive the Canadian Armed Forces
Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Air Cadets, and Junior Canadian Rangers can introduce you to the knowledge and skills you’ll need for a military career. These programs are open to youth aged 12 to 18/19.
If you meet the CAF’s citizenship, age, education, and medical requirements, you can sign up for the Naval Experience Program. It’s a one-year paid adventure that provides a taste of naval life before you make a long-term commitment.
Direct entry is possible if:
- You already have a trade certification or degree.
- For example, if your chosen occupation is dental technician and you already have a diploma, a licence to practice, and the required clinical experience, you may be posted directly to a CAF dental clinic after basic training. If your chosen occupation is intelligence officer and you already have a degree, the CAF may place you in the on-the-job-training program you need.
- Your chosen occupation does not require previous work experience or career-related skills.
- For example, if your chosen occupation is gunner, you need no previous skills or experience. The army will provide all the training you need.
Paid education
If you want to go to university or college, you may qualify for a paid education program. The CAF will pay for your tuition, equipment, and books. You’ll get a salary, medical and dental benefits, and paid vacation while you complete your studies. When you graduate, you’ll be guaranteed a job in your field. Your pay will increase as you move up the ranks.
In exchange, the CAF will require you to provide two months of service for every month of paid education. Not a bad deal!
If you’re still in high school, the High School Education Initiative can help you earn your diploma while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.