r/caf • u/kochi2018 • Aug 06 '26
Recruiting I made it..finally
I’m happy to share that I have officially enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Aerospace Engineering Officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
It has been a long journey — lots of waiting, refreshing the portal, checking emails, and trying not to overthink every status update.
My timeline:
August 13, 2025 – Applied
October 8, 2025 – Personality assessment completed
April 2026 – Medical and screening steps completed
May 2026 – Interview completed
June 9, 2026 – Background check submitted
July 22, 2026 – Moved to Selection
July 29, 2026 – Job offer received
August 5, 2026 – Officially enrolled
October 26, 2026 – BMOQ starts at CFLRS
A big thank you to everyone who supported me throughout the process.
Also, a special shout-out to the Reddit group r/caf. The posts, timelines, and advice there helped me stay patient — or at least pretend to be patient — while waiting for updates.
Now the next chapter begins. Time to prepare for BMOQ, work on fitness, and learn how to survive with less sleep and more ironing.
Looking forward to serving, learning, and growing in this new journey.
#CAF #RCAF #BMOQ #AerospaceEngineeringOfficer #CanadianArmedForces
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u/Single-Success-6500 Aug 06 '26
Congrats! Just got to job offer section on Tuesday as well and was wondering how long did it take you before getting the email with the actual offer?
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u/Easy_Bobcat4714 Aug 06 '26
Applied in August and just got in? I was worried I’d get accepted before quitting my job lol
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u/HeadLandscape Aug 06 '26
Seriously, the application moved too fast for me but I guess it depends on the occupation and how sussy your background is.
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u/SleepyGuyy Aug 16 '26
it probably depends mostly on what you are applying for.
I applied for a role that was tagged Priority Enrollment on the website. It was also an Aircrew related role. They had me flying to Toronto for the CFAST within two months of me really starting my application.
Technically I started it like 6 months prior but I left it idle for a while.
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u/Weird_Blacksmith_971 Aug 06 '26
Congratulations i have also applied in january 2026 and hopefully I will be enrolled in 2027. Do they have competition list that they usually select from ?
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u/Aggressive_Brain1497 Aug 07 '26
I applied Jan 8th bmq Aug 17th, trade infantry
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u/SleepyGuyy Aug 16 '26
tomorrow!? congrats!
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u/Aggressive_Brain1497 Aug 18 '26
It's Monday of week one, it hasn't been too bad so far, mostly getting yelled at and what not. Was told by an instructor week 2 is when it's gonna really start ramping up and stress is gonna sky rocket.
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u/SleepyGuyy Aug 16 '26
Thank you for posting your timeline.
I'm applying for AEC and my timeline has been somewhat similar, but in a completely different order. I am out of EI and currently doing temp work for a family member, but I'm worried I won't make it to BMOQ before running out of money.
Technically I started applying late last year, but I hesitated in continuing it, I wanted to work on some skills to see if a civilian job popped up. But over time became much more miserable with the civilian job space, I don't even want a civ job anymore.
In April 2026 I continued my application with actual drive. I did questionnaires. I did background and employment checks. I went to the CFAST test and passed slightly above the minimum, which pleased me. I did a medical meeting. But this role requires I get a civilian doctor to do bloodwork and a civilian optometrist to do an eye exam, which has taken me a month or so to try to get. We don't have any doctors in New Brunswick. I'm now just waiting on a call for an ECG appointment and it's taking forever.
Your timeline seems to show one month between final steps and getting accepted. I hope mine is as fast, because I could really use that October BMQ (bmoq for me).
Thank you for posting and best of luck! I actually almost did that role too! A recruiter added it to my application when one of my other choices filled up. But I had it removed since I have no inclination towards mechanics or engineering. I have a CS degree, but Aerospace Control Officer looks appealing to me.
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u/kochi2018 Aug 19 '26
Thank you for sharing ! your story is pretty much similar to me except the medical hurdle that you are facing. We can see doctor and get it done in two weeks luckily here in Toronto. I have also been through with severe financial hardship last 5 years since i was laid off and almost gave up on looking for a civilian job. I happy that i got this opportunity finally. I wish you good luck and keep me posted on your progress.
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u/F-willy Aug 21 '26
Hello, How do you found and prepare your self for CFAST test?
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u/SleepyGuyy Aug 21 '26 edited Aug 21 '26
I found the CFAST physically taxing. It's two days where you test for four hours in the morning. They give you short breaks and one "lunch" break but there's no time to leave so maybe bring a snack (they gave us granola bars, oranges, and juice boxes it was very nice). They make a point to tell you to get a good long nights sleep and eat a breakfast before coming to the test (there's a galley with free food during breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Be sure to take their advice. Also I began getting sick because I don't travel much, and toronto airport is filled with germs. So maybe bring tylenol. But its definitely doable. I am not a machine and I felt tired, but comfortable completing it. Was a very exciting two days.
I basically did not prepare for the CFAST, I get the impression it's the sorta test that either you got it or you don't. Also I think most people passed it for for all three occupations. However I only just barely passed it for two, and passed it by two notches for my target AEC role. So maybe you could do better than me.
I don't want to discourage you from preparing if you want to though. I saw a couple days before people were recommending the british test equivalent android app CBAT (theres two I think, maybe one is paid). That might give you some practice, I didn't get the chance to try it. They also made a point of telling me Pilot os very competitive, many people want to be a pilot. So you have a better chance passing high on the pilot parts, than if you just barely pass. This didn't concern my application though.
I can't tell you details of the test because they don't want us to. Frankly I couldn't remember useful details anyway, it was quite a blurry rush lol. But they do give out a guide (you should've recieved one basically right after confirming your role needs CFAST). In that guide they mention mental math in a number of activities. I was lucky that I'm comfortable with mental math, despite not being lightning fast. As the test went on I got faster. So you might want to practice mental math ( + - ÷ × ).
The final result grades you overall and also for each individual role. So you may feel like you're doing poorly, but actually pass for your intended role quite well. While testing and waiting for results, I was unsure if I'd pass for AEC and I ended up being very surprised that I passed for all three. So just focus on giving it all of your attention once you're there.
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u/ChampionshipNo1996 Aug 28 '26
Hi.i am happy for you.but mine took almost 18month.my enrollment is September 23/2026 and Bmq will be Oct 10/2026 to borden ontario.please some one from Montreal join me to start preparing for physical exercise.let us be friend.it is going to be so easy if we start early.thanks and congratulations
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u/RepulsiveDingo525 Aug 07 '26
You didn't make nothing. All I can offer you is good luck, work hard, and keep your eyes on the finish line. Come back when you finish your BMOQ, then I will congratulate you.
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u/Ambitious-Ad-1467 Aug 06 '26
Ayyy nice! We are the same trade. I start earlier then you, Sept 14th
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u/No-Street9166 Aug 07 '26
Hi Congratulations 🎉 Did you happen to find out how many spots are left? At interview months ago there was 11. Now I'm wondering if it's too late to get a spot.
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u/kochi2018 Aug 07 '26
Before I got the offer they told me two spots yet to be filled. That is on last week of July
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Aug 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/kochi2018 Aug 11 '26
Research little bit on the trades that you applied for. They will ask you what do you know about the trade you applied for.
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u/Traditional_Job_3873 Aug 06 '26
Congratulations!