The fact Canada is surrounded by friendly countries doesn’t mean that no one envies that expansive land and coastlines. Do you want to be part of those who defend this country and find the true meaning of “Mari Usque Ad Mare”?
Canada being a relatively peaceful country may not project a very aggressive military. Also, while the county’s police force is sufficient for internal criminal deterrence, still manning the expansive land and coastline requires high military resources.
Having more coastline as well as being the second largest country by landmass means that stamping Canadian sovereignty over that much land requires high military engagement. Unfortunately, Canada’s military personnel numbers have been on the decline.
With Canada’s population considered scanty for the landmass, the military capacity is even more concerning. Several countries with a similar or even smaller population than Canada have way more military personnel than Canada.
Take for instance Israel, a country of about 8.5 million people yet maintains an active personnel force of over 160,000 whereas Canada with all the coastline and landmass has a paltry 68,000. This is not just concerning to the Canadian government but to allies as well.
Why Join the Canadian Military? (Benefits)
For individuals desiring to join the Canadian military, we hope this information page is helpful. For those yet to decide whether to join the Canadian military or not, we encourage that if you don’t have other crucial passion, maybe taking a chance with the armed forces will be excellent. Now let’s proceed to the benefits of joining the Canadian military.
- A Call to Responsibility and National Growth: Canadians are encouraged to join the armed forces. This is reflected in several beneficial packages available to servicemen and women in the country. While today, and in the recent past, Canada has not experienced high-scale military aggression, the military of a country is not just a combat force but an instrument of National development.
Several drills and research are conducted by the military of different countries that are unconnected to confrontation. Having more Canadians in the armed forces is not a call to war but a call to responsibility.
- Personal development: Historically, the military irrespective of the country has been a place where several dimensions of individual development evolve. Most military trainings are designed to reshape individual perspectives of life.
In the Military, certain virtues are prioritized over others; for instance, courage is prioritized over fear, discipline over emotions, and the decisions on fight or flight should be based on tactical reasoning. From these principles, personal development evolves that sets military men and women apart from the rest of the population.
- Skill Acquisition: Most militaries around the world are designed to be autonomous, self-sufficient, and self-sustaining. In this case, the military tries to replicate the crucial aspects of society. Members of the Canadian military can acquire skills like becoming a surgeon and Engineers. This is in addition to the many combat and non-combat skills that soldiers gain.
- Experience: Military experience is a whole perspective of life. Whether a soldier has been engaged in combat or not, going through recruitment, boot camp, and military programs can be a mini hell or a welcome to paradise depending on the individual, sometimes it can be a mixture of both but you certainly can’t tell what the experience will feel like for you if you were never there.
- Honor: Is there anything more honorable than signing up to defend your country? Well, the answer is NO. Either you are defending your country by joining the military or in other positive ways.
- Confidence: The military builds elegant men and women, men and women who remain confident and stable even in the toughest or most embarrassing situations.
- Staying in shape: An overweight Canadian serviceman or woman is a rare sight. You shall shed the flesh you don’t need to carry the burden of responsibilities.
- Networking: The Canadian armed forces is a great place to connect with individuals of like mind and build a lifetime friendship
- Future opportunities in politics and other national ventures: Ex-servicemen and women are usually seen as patriotic, sometimes this earns them an extra edge when they venture into politics; however career politicians or individuals from other fields like surgeons, lawyers, and the rest are no pushover. They have their advantages also but for the soldiers, venturing into politics at the end, it is not expected to be easy, after all, it has been all battles earlier.
- Developing the spirit of selflessness and finding other meanings and purposes in life.
- Excellent pay and other financial and non-financial benefits: In the armed forces, the numbers on the money are not the motivation but we know it is there.
Eligibility Criteria or Requirements
The Canadian military has several criteria for becoming a serviceman or woman. Depending on which branch and under what circumstances one is joining, these criteria may vary. The following must be true for one to be eligible for Canadian military service:
Note that eligibility requirements may vary slightly if you are joining as a non-commissioned member against when you are joining as an officer
Eligibility for non-commissioned member
- Be Canadian or a permanent resident
- Reach Canadian Military service age: Be at least 17. Individuals of 16 can also apply with parental or guardian approval.
- Be done with grade 10 or have accomplished 24 credits of Quebec Secondary 4.
To join the Canadian military as an officer
- In addition to being a Canadian or permanent resident, the applicant is to be at least 17 and must have attained an educational level of at least grade 10 or accomplished 24 credits of Quebec secondary IV.
- For applicants who studied outside Canada, it is expected that such applicants’ Educational Qualifications Assessment is conducted for the applicant’s high school and highest educational accomplishments before applying.
- Applicants for the officer category must alternatively have concluded 12th grade or Quebec Secondary V and possibly be in possession of a Bachelor’s Degree or working toward its accomplishments.
Note that apart from the listed eligibility, several other factors are considered before one is accepted into the Canadian military. This includes quality of character, compliance with policies, medical fitness, physical fitness, and more.
Different branches of the military may also have other different eligibility criteria. We recommend you seek mentorship from a serving Canadian military officer or veteran.