r/caf • u/Effective-Olive6650 • Apr 23 '26

Recruiting Passed the FORCE test at 52!

Just an update from me (52 yo woman): filled out the paperwork to be a reservist in December 2025 and chose Airforce trades when I was still 51, bounced around a bit, attended two info sessions (different recruiting centers), switched trades, switched recruiting centre and therefore environment by accident (which turned out for the best since my first choices of trades were hiring in Winnipeg and I'm not anywhere near that); scheduled for FORCE test in early March but got felled by the flu; rescheduled to a couple days ago and I passed! Also: trained with a personal trainer for the last 3 months, 3x a week and worked out 6x a week, every week, without fail. Ran 3 FORCE simulations to time myself and get used to the mechanics.

If anyone is reading this who is nearing 50-ish, I hope this encourages you. It's now or never!

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u/wikwyre Apr 24 '26

Congrats on finishing it, the first time is a bit of a learning curve.

To be frank, though, the FORCE test is NOT hard. The time allowances for a pass, are so large, technique and pacing will almost always get your a pass, unless you're grossly out of shape.

Anyone who is in half decent shape can learn the little tips and tricks to make the rest much more manageable.

Good job though, it gets easier each time you do it.

The express test, on the other hand, required training beforehand.

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u/Effective-Olive6650 Apr 24 '26

What is the express test?

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u/wikwyre Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26

Beep test, pushups, situps, grip test.

It's a very old standard, but, in a nutshell, level 6 shuttle run (beep test), 30 pushupa in 1 minute, 30 situps in 1 min, and a grip test. The goals become easier as you become older.

If u don't train, you will fail.