Armour Soldier

Non-Commissioned Member | Full Time, Part Time

As a member of the military, ArmourSoldiers operate and maintain armoured fighting vehicles, its weapon systems and its communication equipment.

Upon the enrolment and successful completion of Regular Force Basic Training (Basic Military qualification (BMQ)), you will be eligible for an accelerated pay increment if you enrol in one of the designated occupations.

ArmourSoldiers begin their career with one of two types of vehicles: the tank or the reconnaissance vehicle. As a member of a tank crew trained to be a driver, operator or gunner, an ArmourSoldier has the following duties:

• Drive and maintain the tank
• Fire the tank’s main gun
• Load the tank’s main gun and machineguns
• Maintain the tank’s communications equipment

As a member of a reconnaissance vehicle crew trained to be a driver or an observer, an ArmourSoldier has the following duties:

• Drive and maintain the vehicle
• Load, fire and maintain the vehicle’s machine-guns
• Maintain and operate the vehicle’s radio equipment
• Gather and relay information about the enemy and the terrain

Work environment

ArmourSoldiers experience the unique adventures and challenges that come with work in the field and on deployment to other countries.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part-time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base.

Once fully trained, Armoured Soldiers are assigned to one of three historic armoured regiments in the Regular Force: the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) in Edmonton, the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada in Valcartier, Québec; or the Royal Canadian Dragoons, based in Petawawa, Ontario. There are also 18 Reserve armoured regiments across Canada.

In their first posting, soldiers will master the skills of an armoured vehicle driver. They are mentored by more experienced drivers on how to handle and maintain armoured vehicles. Soldiers start out as drivers, learning the machines inside and out, then move on to become surveillance operators and gunners, who bring firepower and target acquisition to the battlespace.

Training

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

ArmourSoldiers may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

• Unarmed Combat Instructor

As they progress in their career, ArmourSoldiers who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:

• Armoured Gunnery Specialist
• Combat Arms Telecommunications Specialist
• Combat Arms Driving and Maintenance Specialist

The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec. Foreign education may be accepted.

Part time options

This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic training, Army recruits train for the soldier qualification for approximately one month and then ArmourSoldiers attend the Combat Training Centre in Gagetown, New Brunswick for 11 weeks to achieve their occupational qualification.

Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for scheduled evenings and weekends, although they may also serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work that they do. They are paid 92.8 percent of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.