What are my options for joining the RCAF right now?

[aero1994]

I'm currently a freshman at the University of Manitoba planning to finish a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2019. I recently read about the different entry plans like DEO, CEOTP, and ROTP and I was hoping for someone to enlighten me on which entry plan is suitable for a person who is planning on finishing a degree at a university while being trained by the forces.

[SAR_YQQ]

Your main option is to get your degree and apply DEO. I wouldn't count on trying to get the CAF to sponsor your education via ROTP. You usually apply for ROTP and they decide if they are going to send you to RMC or an overflow civilian university.

That being said - I would highly recommend that you start talking to a Recruitor when you are about half way done university. There have been cases where the CAF will hire you with one year remaining and end up paying for the last year.

[dirtysidedown]

I have achieved my PPL and looking to continue onwards, but now the money is playing a big role. I am strongly considering the RCAF as an DEO because i have an education and will be quite happy moving directly into flight training. Now i just need to get my wife to bite.

[kev994]

I would look into getting into ROTP as soon as you can if RCAF is the way you want to go. They used to let you continue in your current university if you've already started but I haven't been in the program since 2005. You get your tuition and books paid for and get a small salary. On top of that, after you graduate the pay is slightly higher for an ROTP graduate than a DEO until you hit Capt. The recruiting center is the best place to get the most up to date info on this, I would talk to them soon as I think the application cutoff for the fall used to be fairly early in the new year and there are a lot of steps in the process. Cheers.

[trampbike]

ROTP seems like the best option for you right now. However you would have to be very lucky to get all the phases of the selection process done in time for this year (I think everything has to be done by the end of March). Try it right now, worst case scenario you'd be applying for 2015-2016 instead of 2014-2015. If they offer you RMC instead of your civilian university, you can either refuse or accept it. If you refuse it, then continue on with your degree, and apply DEO once you're done with school.

[Adam Oke]

Do keep in mind that in the RCAF, you are employed as an Officer to happens to be a pilot .... and not the other way around!

Having said that, I know of a couple friends that started University, applied and was accepted under ROTP, and they finished at their current University. The military did not back pay, but they did pay for the remaining years + salary.

[trampbike]

Do keep in mind that in the RCAF, you are employed as an Officer to happens to be a pilot .... and not the other way around!

This is true.
For those who might be wondering what this statement implies:
On your first posting, your main job will be to fly, that is a given. As any officer, you will also have secondary duties (even civilian pilots do more than just fly), however, flying will be what you mostly do. On your following postings, it is possible that you'll be posted to a non-flying position for a while, or to a position where you'll get to fly only the minimums necessary to stay current. Some guys never end up doing ground tours, some do many. Some have a lot of secondary duties, some almost only fly. It depends on you (do you want to be a leader/manager and get many promotions) and also there is quite a bit of luck that factors into it.

Olivier

[HiLo]

Do keep in mind that in the RCAF, you are employed as an Officer to happens to be a pilot .... and not the other way around!

This is true.
For those who might be wondering what this statement implies:
On your first posting, your main job will be to fly, that is a given. As any officer, you will also have secondary duties (even civilian pilots do more than just fly), however, flying will be what you mostly do. On your following postings, it is possible that you'll be posted to a non-flying position for a while, or to a position where you'll get to fly only the minimums necessary to stay current. Some guys never end up doing ground tours, some do many. Some have a lot of secondary duties, some almost only fly. It depends on you (do you want to be a leader/manager and get many promotions) and also there is quite a bit of luck that factors into it.

Olivier

So someone who is continuously getting promoted doesn't fly much. Does s/he loose currency by a certain rank?

[trampbike]

It really depends. The Wing Commander in Moose Jaw (a Colonel) flies almost twice a day, while some captains and majors are flying desks everywhere in Canada.

[HiLo]

It really depends. The Wing Commander in Moose Jaw (a Colonel) flies almost twice a day, while some captains and majors are flying desks everywhere in Canada.

For perspective's sake, what does he fly? Only the category is needed (rotary, multi, fast).

[trampbike]

Harvard II