Last week, at my unit, we’ve been told that mess kit is mandatory for officers and that we have 12 months to purchase it at our own expense.

My understanding was that the requirement had changed.

The current CAF Dress Instructions, Chapter 2, Section 1, paragraph 44(a) state:

“Officers and Non-commissioned members are encouraged to acquire Mess Dress in accordance with environment branch/corps, or regimental policies.”

I’m trying to clarify:
Is purchasing mess kit currently mandatory for officers?

Can a CO require us to buy it and impose a 12-month deadline?

What current reference supports that requirement — QR&O, DOAD, CANFORGEN, or an Army/branch policy?

Can your unit make purchasing a mess kit mandatory?

I’ll comply with applicable orders. I’d simply like to understand the current requirement and the authority behind it.

Has anyone dealt with this recently? Specific references or links to documents on DWAN would be appreciated.

Hello,
Long shot posting this, but maybe we can get it back to its original owner. Found in Stratford, PEI.

One side has the initials JPK and 348. The other side has 2014.

TL;DR considering going back to infantry if my current trade likely doesn't pan out, after being in the training system for 4 years.

Context: I was an Infantry reservist for just under a decade, before CTing to reg force in a RCEME trade, and this is a job I really want to do. Took forever to get on course due to wait times, and now several months into course, I failed 1 too many PC tests.

I'll have my PRB meeting in a couple of days, and while it's not a guarantee, there's a good chance they may pull me off course and make me change trades.

I'm planning worst case scenario. If that does happen, my main option right now is going back to infantry, but this time reg force. I'm already qualified and will be able to go straight to a unit, unlike going to another trade which I'll have to wait for course, do course, and then get posted.

At this point I'm sick of being in the training system, almost my entire contract was consumed by PAT platoon and course in Borden, I want to actually do the job.

The infantry is something I know, am familiar with, and comfortable doing. That being said I'm 30 now, which I know isn't old, but is something to consider. Additionally, with the new equipment, weapons, & doctrine coming in, should be an interesting time to go back.

So my question is, who has gone back to infantry in their late 20s or later, and what are your thoughts? Any other trades you'd reccomend?

I prefer a Petewawa or other Ontario posting.

I heard a rumour that BGRS lost the CAF contract … anyone know if this is true and if so, what’s the plan? Offices back on base or something like the RCMP has where RCMP employees administer relocations? I’m civilian and former BGRS TL (Please don’t hate me!!! I was one of the good ones… entire Reddit threads have been written about me!! And they were positive!!) and I’d love to get back into relocations if I can. Thx!

Hello everyone I have been waiting on my security clearance status now for more than 4 months and that is without the time I spent at BMQ. Have been obviously missing my trade course so was wondering if anyone knows something that could be done to improve the process.

Ive heard rumours that the course has changed and Im wondering what changed with it and am wondering what I can honestly expect from it.

Cheers for any info the collective here can provide!

Has anyone or even know if its possible to canex plan a motorcycle?

RegF and on a 5 week online course so spending it with my family in Edmonton. They live pretty far from the base and there’s a GoodLife fitness nearby so looking into getting the CF Corporate plan. Will essentially pay for 1 month of gym access but wondering how hard it is to cancel after the month?

Are there any fees if you cancel early? I couldn’t find anything in the terms and conditions as it’s a corporate plan and paying monthly.

Any help is appreciated!

Any words on how or when the issue of the new reservists (and previous regulars) who decided to keep contributing to the CAF pension, but can't because of a bug in the system will be solved?

Good day,

Could anybody help me understand DRI 204.04 regarding promotion from OCdt to 2Lt?

From what I understand, you’re supposed to receive the greater of:

The pay level the closest of what you are or

The closest pay increment in your new rank that is at least equal to your current pay + (Pay level 1− Basic pay of your new rank).

If someone can help me on that one it would be appreciated since I can't find a proper answer !

Is it possible to retire in Reg force and receive pension and join reserves?

How does this affect your pension or pay?

Thanks

I’m trying to sign in but it keeps saying my username is incorrect… you know the same I’ve been using for a while. It’s an ECN.forces email. Who’s the best point of contact for this? Thanks for the help

Col Jeremy Hansen is apparently going to be the Honorary National President of the Air Cadet League of Canada. A very timely announcement given current news in the media.

He recently received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor from President Trump.

Cadet League announcement

Edit: corrected link

Can any one help me understand those medals please and thank you

Note the 40x53mmHV is simulated using a spacer. The chart is made to represent Canadian and Americian calibres in use since WW2, i am still looking for a .300 win mag and a 30mm nato shell, as well as the new American calibres .277 fury, .300 Norma and .338 Norma. Are there any calibers I am missing?

Can anyone tell me if the Canadian military in the mid 1980s had taken out the Lee Enfield rifle specially with the 1982 pattern rucksack?

I’m Reg force and I went to USA recently on vacation and was seen at a hospital. I had blood test and CT scan done. I called Medavie Blue Cross (the USA travel number 1-800-563-4444) during the visit and the blue cross (Canassistance) agent said that my visit would be covered and gave me a claim number. I asked the hospital for their fax number and I sent the hospital’s fax number to the Canassistance agent.

I thought that would have been the end of it but then I get a bill in the mail for $12000 USD… :|

Has anyone ever dealt with this kind of situation? Please help :(

Hey all, I’m nearly ready to submit my VOT and I’m interested in placing Combat Medic on my application, but I’m feeling a little bit of hesitation because it’s so new and I can’t find much real-world info about it. Can someone with some knowledge (and ideally experience) in the trade shed some light on the position, most specifically relating to:

1) Physical demands of the trade, both for the training and day-to-day work – I’m not in the best shape but I’m actively making some solid progress and should be fine long before an OT becomes official, but I’m still wondering what to expect. I’m lacking confidence in my physical fitness after spending so much time being badly out of shape.

2) Work environment – I understand that new members (I’m an 8 year Cpl but I know I’ll be considered new) to the trade can expect to be posted with “field units”, for lack of a better term (first line units maybe?). That’s all fine, I’ve been to one before for a couple of years back in 2022 so it’s not totally new to me. How often can you realistically expect to go to the field when attached to these units, and what do you typically do when not out in the field?

3) The term “Combat” in the title has me thinking the physical expectations are along the lines of combat arms trades, but how much of the trade is actual “combat” vs “medic” work? Obviously I know we’re not in combat right now, but I don’t know how else to word that one lol. I think what I’m trying to ask is similar to describing the MPs, where Military Police on patrol is a small percentage “military” and a much higher percentage “police”. Does that make sense?

4) What is it like when you reach the point where you can work in a clinic? Do you have a choice, or is it highly encouraged and part of career progression? I’m good with working in a clinic, just curious how all of that works

5) Is the QL3 intense like battle school, or is there a healthy mix of craziness and non-craziness?

Any other info anybody is willing to throw my way would be great appreciated! I’m good with whatever as far as this trade goes, but I’m just hoping for some info before I submit the OT next week.

Thanks!

Hey I got PLP in Gagetown starting end of Oct. I was wondering if anyone knew what there is to do in Gagetown? I asked around at work and most people tell me the only thing to do is drink. I am flying in, so I wot have a car. Can anyone enlighten me on the wonders of Gagetown? Also any arrive for PLP is appreciated as I'm not an Army trade

So there's a tweet going around that's pretty mean, and it's aimed directly at one of us. I don't know any of the people involved, and I don't know their life story, I just see two happy people doing what seem to be their very best to serve their community and country.

Regardless of your personal opinion on people personal choices or health habits taking the bait is the opposite of looking out for your brothers and sisters in uniform. If you want to say you "support people in uniform" this is the time to show it.

A country that is showing itself increasingly hostile has taken a potshot at our member and I see a lot of Canadians joining in instead of supporting a uniform member going through what is probably a very shit time.

Lastly, to anyone that personally knows this member, please check up on them and make sure they are okay and that they know that most of the country supports them.