Armour Officer

Overview

As a member of the military, Armour Officers provide reconnaissance and direct-fire support in battle from armoured fighting vehicles such as the Leopard main battle tank, the Light Armoured Vehicle or Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle, and a variant of the wheeled Light Utility Vehicle. Along with members of the Artillery, Infantry and Combat Engineering regiments, they are members of the Combat Arms.

An Armour Officer is the leader of armoured vehicles in a Reconnaissance Squadron, a Tank Troop or Direct-Fire Support Troop. They are responsible for soldiers’ training, morale, discipline and combat efficiency, and for the operational readiness of their equipment.

As a Reconnaissance Troop Leader, they employ stealth, flexibility and innovation on the battlefield, using advanced sensors and equipment, to locate the enemy and identify high-value targets for the commander.

As a Tank Troop Leader or Direct-Fire Support Troop Leader, they employ mobility, flexibility and shock action on the battlefield to use armoured direct-fire systems to destroy enemy targets.


Work environment


Armour Officers serve in any kind of terrain — Arctic tundra, tropical jungle, desert, mountains, urban complex — and any kind of climate. They may be deployed abroad on operational missions or in Canada in support of civil authorities in cases of national emergency. Initially, they are posted to one of three Armour regiments:

• The Royal Canadian Dragoons, 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, Petawawa, Ontario
• Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, Edmonton, Alberta
• 12th Canadian Armored Regiment, 5th Canadian Brigade Group, Valcartier, Quebec
  
  

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 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 Canadian Armed Forces (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.

After basic training, you will 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.

Armour Officers attend Armour School at the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps School (RCACS) where you will develop your skills in Crew Commanding. Training includes the following topics:

• Operating communications equipment
• Weapons firing
• Vehicle deployment in battle
• Crew commanding techniques
  
  

Armour 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 a military base or armoury 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.

Armour Officers serve with the Canadian Army. The Armour, Infantry, Artillery and Combat Engineers form the Combat Arms team. Armour Officers are the leaders of armoured vehicles and are responsible for soldiers’ training, morale, discipline and combat efficiency, and for the operational readiness of their equipment. When employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis they usually serve with Armour units at CAF locations within Canada.

Find a Recruiting Centre

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 officer training, the home unit will arrange for additional training for specialized skills. Armour Officers achieve their qualification in three phases at the Combat Training Centre at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick.

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.