Logistics Officer

Overview

As a member of the military, Logistics Officers provide the various means of transportation, equipment and supplies for the movement of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and all types and sizes of cargo throughout the world.

The responsibilities of a Logistics Officer include:

• Procurement
• Warehousing items and material control
• Distribution and disposal of military material, equipment, and ammunition
• Coordination of food services, postal services, human resource or financial services

Work environment

Logistics Officers can be employed in the Royal Canadian Navy, Army or Royal Canadian Air Force and experience the unique challenges associated with these environments. They may work at on a base within Canada, at a home port, or be deployed during operations.

Logistics Officers that work in the Royal Canadian Navy will serve at sea as a Ship’s Supply Officer early in their career. A Logistics Officer in the Army will be employed as a platoon commander in a General Support or Close Support Service Battalion. Logistics Officers in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the early stages of their career will be employed in an entry level junior Logistics position at an operational Wing where they will learn about the unique aspects of providing support to air operations. This experience will be followed by a position at a squadron. Subsequent tours will provide you with opportunities to further develop your knowledge and experience within one or more of the main Logistics disciplines.

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. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options
• Paid Education Options

If you already have a university degree, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned.

Regular Officer Training Plan

Due to the requirement for CAF officer to obtain a university degree, the CAF will pay successful recruits to complete a bachelor degree program in the Royal Military College System. Recruits will receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full pay in exchange for working in the CAF for a period of time. Typically, candidates enter the Canadian Military College System as an Officer Cadet where they study subjects relevant to both their military and academic career. In rare instances, based on the needs of the CAF, candidates may be approved to attend another Canadian University. A determination will be made on a case by case basis. If you are applying for this program, you must apply to the CAF and it is recommended to apply to other Canadian universities of your choice should you not be accepted for ROTP.

Training

After enrolment, you start basic officer training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, for 12 weeks. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the CAF, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic officer training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.

Following basic officer training, official second language training may be offered to you. Training could take from two to nine months to complete depending on your ability in your second language.

Common Army phase

If assigned to the Army, Logistics Officers go to the Infantry School at the Combat Training Centre in Gagetown, New Brunswick. You will build upon the leadership training you received in basic officer training in addition to learning the skills required of all Combat Arms Soldiers, including more advanced weapons-handling, field-craft, and section-level tactics.

Naval officer training

If assigned to the Navy, Logistics Officers attend a nine-week Naval Environmental Training Program held at the Naval Officer Training Centre in Victoria, British Columbia. This course introduces the naval environment and includes four weeks onboard a minor war vessel for officers to experience life at sea.

Logistics Officers attend the Canadian Forces Logistic Training Centre in Borden, Ontario, for a common introductory course on logistics support. Then Logistics Officers will undergo logistics training relating to the branch of the service to which they have been assigned.

Logistics Officers may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training.

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 at an Air Force Wing 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.

Logistics Officers may serve with the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army or Royal Canadian Air Force and experience the unique challenges associated with these environments. Logistics Officers employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis usually serve at CAF bases, wings, home ports and units at locations within Canada.

Find a Recruiting Centre

Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts and usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic officer training, introductory occupational training for the Logistics Officer qualification is conducted at the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre in Borden, Ontario or the Canadian Forces Fleet School in Québec, Quebec. They then undergo logistics training relating to the branch of the service to which they have joined.

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% of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.

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