Can I Join?
There are certain requirements you must meet in order to join the Canadian Armed Forces. In some cases, you may still be able to join even if you do not meet the basic requirements. Visit our Help Centre to learn more.
Joining the Canadian Armed Forces
Being a member of the Canadian Forces means dedication and perserverance. See the steps as you shape yourself into a Canadian Armed Forces Member.
To join as a
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To join as an
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You are between 16 and 57 years old.If you are under 18 years old, you will need permission from your parent or guardian. |
You are between 16 and 57 years old.If you are under 18 years old, you will need permission from your parent or guardian. |
You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. |
You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. |
You have completed Grade 10 or 24 credits of Secondary IV (Quebec).If you have completed your education outside Canada, you must have your Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) completed for your high school and highest level of education prior to submitting your application. |
You have completed Grade 12 or Secondary V (Quebec) and you have, or are working towards, a Bachelor's Degree.If you do not meet this requirement, you may be eligible for one of our Paid Education programs. If you have completed your education outside Canada, you must have your Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) completed for your high school and highest level of education prior to submitting your application. |
To join as a
|
|---|
You are between 16 and 57 years old.If you are under 18 years old, you will need permission from your parent or guardian. |
You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. |
You have completed Grade 10 or 24 credits of Secondary IV (Quebec). |
To join as an
|
|---|
You are between 16 and 57 years old.If you are under 18 years old, you will need permission from your parent or guardian. |
You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. |
You have completed Grade 10 or 24 credits of Secondary IV (Quebec).If you have completed your education outside Canada, you must have your Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) completed for your high school and highest level of education prior to submitting your application. |
You have completed Grade 12 or Secondary V (Quebec) and you have, or are working towards, a Bachelor's Degree.If you do not meet this requirement, you may be eligible for one of our Paid Education programs. If you have completed your education outside Canada, you must have your Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) completed for your high school and highest level of education prior to submitting your application. |
Ways to Join
There are several ways to join the Canadian Armed Forces. Your skills, qualification, background, and ambition will influence your way of entry. Get in touch with a recruiter by visiting our Help Centre to find out which entry option is best for you.
Join the Regular Force (Full-Time)
Members of the Regular Force serve full time protecting Canada and defending our sovereignty. They contribute to international peace and security, and work with the United States to defend North America. They are ready to respond at a moment’s notice to threats, natural disasters or humanitarian crises at home and around the world.
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Join the Reserves (Part-Time)
Members of the Reserve Force serve part time in the CAF. Their main role is to support the Regular Force at home and abroad. Reservists typically serve one or more evenings a week and/or during weekends at locations close to home. Some Reservists may volunteer to be deployed on operations, if there are positions available.
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Naval Experience Program
The Naval Experience Program will provide you with enough exposure to life in the Royal Canadian Navy to decide if it is right for you.
Following an accelerated enrollment, eight week basic military training and four week naval training, you will join the Navy fleet on either the East or West coast. Over the course of several months, you will learn the ropes of being a sailor by shadowing a variety of jobs and gaining exposure to a number of skills. The program culminates with going to sea portion, so you can get a sense of the adventure found in a naval career.
Learn more
Paid Education
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has a number of paid education programs for a first-class education that will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in the Canadian Armed Forces. Graduates of our programs are leaders in their fields, working with cutting edge technology, developing military strategies and making a difference in their communities.
Learn more
Programs for Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Leadership Opportunity Year
A one-year educational program offered to Indigenous peoples through the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC)
Summer training programs
Summer Indigenous programs provide an opportunity to discover Military culture and training.
Canadian Armed Forces Indigenous Entry Program
A special three-week program for Indigenous peoples who are considering a career in the CAF.
Can I Join Steps to Join
There are 5 primary steps in the application process. Each step requires your input and dedication. Make sure you are prepared and provide all required documents in a timely manner. Get in touch with a recruiter by visiting our Help Centre if you need help during the process.
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Submit your application 1 Submit your application
You will then need to present original copies of your birth certificate, government issued photo ID, transcripts from your highest level of education, proof of trade qualifications and professional licenses, and any additional forms required for the trade or job you selected. All overseas education must be presented with a Canadian equivalency from Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada
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Submit your application 2 Reliability screening
You will fill out reliability screening forms. This ensures you are trustworthy with sensitive information. The Canadian Forces will verify all the forms you submit so be completely honest when filling out the required forms.
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Submit your application 3 Aptitude test
You will complete an aptitude test to assist in determining which military occupations you may be best suited for. The 60 minute aptitude test will evaluate your verbal skills, spatial ability, and problem solving. As writing exams can be stressful for some people, you are strongly encouraged to complete the official Practice Canadian Forces Aptitude Test in its entirety prior to the testing session at a Recruiting Centre near you. For more detailed information, visit the “How do I prepare for the CFAT?” article in the Forces.ca Help Centre.
During the same testing session visit, you will also complete a 30 minute personality inventory, which provides information on your personal characteristics and qualities. To learn more about your personality and how it may influence military occupation choices, check out this personality assessment.
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Submit your application 4 Medical exam
You will then take a two part medical exam: First there is a questionnaire on your medical history including specific information on your medication. Then the medical staff will conduct a physical exam to measure your height, weight, evaluate your vision, colour perception and hearing. The second step is a medical file review to determine any limitations that will affect your training and career.
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Submit your application 5 Interview
The next step is an interview with a military career counsellor; it is your official job interview and a very important step. The application process is very competitive and you will be asked questions about your work history, knowledge of the Canadian Forces, and understanding of the job you selected.
Basic Training
Basic training will teach you the core skills and knowledge to succeed in a military environment. It may be the most demanding experience you have ever had and requires hard work and perseverance. Courses emphasize basic military skills, weapons handling, first aid and ethical values. Since physical fitness is an important part of military service, a large part of the course is spent on fitness training.
Length
8 weeks
Class Time
62%
Field Time
25%
Physical Training
13%
Where does Basic Training take Place?
For all full-time regular force candidates, basic training takes place at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
All part-time candidates joining their local Primary Reserve unit will undergo similar basic training objectives. Reserve units will conduct their Basic Training either at the local reserve unit location or at a Canadian Armed Forces training centre. Locations vary depending on units. Talk to a Primary Reserve unit recruiter for more information on their Basic Training program.
Daily routine
Your days start at 5 am. and ends at 10 pm. Each training day consists of physical training, marching, classes and practical sessions on a variety of military subjects. You will spend your evenings maintaining personal equipment and living quarters, and prepare for the next day’s activities.
Field exercises
Field exercises focus on practical military skills such as weapons firing, map and compass use, and marches of various lengths in full combat gear. You will also learn how to set up personnel / communal austere living arrangements and non-conventional cooking techniques
Confidence Course
Confidence Course training involves physical tasks like scaling two- and four-metre walls, climbing a four-metre net, and crossing a four-metre ditch while hanging from a set of monkey bars.
Swimming
The military swim standard is a key element of basic training. This test involves jumping into a pool wearing a life jacket and swimming 50 metres. You must also somersault into the water without a life jacket, tread water for two minutes and then swim 20 metres.
Physical training
Regular physical training sessions will prepare you for field exercises, 13-kilometre marches in full combat gear, and meeting the CAF minimum physical fitness standard.
Physical fitness evaluation
During the first week of basic training, you will take the FORCE Evaluation fitness test to assess your level of physical fitness. You must pass this test in order to continue with basic training.
If you do not meet all four of the fitness test objectives but can meet one or more, you may be able to take additional training as part of the Program to Return to Training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School. You will have a maximum of 90 days to meet all three of the test objectives.
If you are unsuccessful in meeting the four FORCE Evaluation fitness test objectives at the end of the 90 days, you will be released from the CAF. You may re-start the application process three to five years after your release date (depending on the circumstances of your release) by submitting a new application online. Visit our Help Centre if you have more questions.
The test includes four components:
- sandbag lift
- intermittent loaded shuttles
- sandbag drag
- 20-metre rushes
Take a look at these examples of the four components.
Preparing for Basic Training
In order to better prepare your fitness for basic training, please click on the following link to download our Pre-Basic Military Training (PRE-BMT) Fitness Training Program. The program aims to help you establish a minimum level of physical fitness needed to optimize performance and reduce the injury risk during our Basic Military Qualification course.
Before starting basic training, you should be able to:
- run five kilometres
- run 2.4 kilometres within an appropriate time (see)
- complete push-ups with a full range of motion and sit-ups
- complete a hand-grip test
- tread water for at least two minutes and swim 20 metres without a life jacket
By the time you complete basic training, you will be able to:
- complete a 13-kilometre march in full combat gear
- complete push-up and sit-up tests
- run up to six kilometres
- complete swimming tests
- scale walls and cross ditches
Getting ready to train
An excellent way to determine your fitness level is to undergo a fitness appraisal.
Talk to your doctor before starting a fitness routine or appraisal, particularly if you have a heart condition, feel chest pain, lose your balance or consciousness, have a bone or joint problem, or take drugs for a blood pressure or heart condition. Tell your doctor about the kinds of activities you want to do and follow his or her advice.
Physical fitness training
Your fitness program should start at a level that is right for you now. You can progress gradually as your strength and endurance improve.
When starting a workout session, consider the frequency, intensity, time and type of activity and your goals. In other words, follow the FITT principle:
- Frequency is a balance between exercising often enough to challenge your body and resting enough to allow your body to recover from the workout.
- Intensity is measured using your heart rate during aerobic activity and workload during muscular strength training. Gradually increase the intensity of your workouts to increase your overall endurance.
- Time of your workout generally increases as you become more fit. However, if you exercise more than 60 minutes you may risk overtraining and injury.
- Type refers to the kind of exercise you choose to achieve particular fitness goals; aerobic exercise for cardio fitness and resistance training for muscular strength.
Getting fit with FITT
As a rule of thumb, ease into your activities, gradually increase each element of FITT, and end each session with a cool-down. For example:
- Begin with a 5- to 10-minute warm-up. Walking, biking or a slow jog will increase blood flow to the muscles and lightly increase your heart rate. Follow up with some light stretching of the muscles you will be using in your workout.
- Improving your overall fitness is most effectively done through a combination of 20 to 60 minutes of aerobic and strength exercises. The two sample fitness sessions below are based on Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology guidelines.
- A 5- to 10-minute cool-down helps return your body to its normal, pre-exercise condition. Suddenly stopping an intense workout can make you dizzy, nauseated or even faint. Walking, biking or a slow jog will gradually bring down your heart rate and relieve muscle soreness.
Aerobic fitness session
Frequency - Three to five times a week. Initially, exercising three times a week on non-consecutive days is best, gradually increasing your frequency to four to five times a week.
Intensity - 65 to 90 percent of your maximum heart rate. To determine the intensity of your aerobic exercise, first calculate your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. Next, count the number of times your heart beats in 15 seconds and multiply by four to determine the average beats per minute. Divide the beats per minute by the maximum rate and multiply by 100. The resulting number is the percentage of intensity.
Time - 20 to 60 minutes. Your workout sessions should last about 20 minutes for the first few weeks. Gradually increase your time two to three minutes each week. The frequency and duration should not be increased in the same week; increase them one at a time.
Type - Any activity that raises your heart rate is a good activity. However, work towards running – a major part of basic training.
Muscular strength session
Frequency - Two to three times per week. Use all major muscle groups.
Intensity - The appropriate weight is what you can lift the required number of times and not more. The first set of exercises in a weight program is a warm-up set even though you have done a structured warm-up.
Time - 15 to 60 minutes. Your workout sessions should last about 15 minutes for the first few weeks. Gradually increase your time two to three minutes each week. The frequency and duration should not be increased in the same week; increase them one at a time.
Type - Resistance training can include both free weights and resistance machines.