My dilemma! To wait, or not to wait?

[Mkimmay]

I originally wanted to be a Sig Op, but after my aptitude test today, I did a little research on the other trades I qualified for. AES Ops sounds like something I'd really want to do! BUT the trade is closed until the next fiscal year.

Do you think my chances of getting a spot is slim? I don't want to wait until the next fiscal year to find out that it's closed, and then realize that Sig Ops is closed as well.

Thank you

[Mkimmay]

Also, I've been reading around and noticed people using the terms "Air Factor" and "Merit listed". What do those mean? Is the application process alot different than, let's say a Sig Op?

[fiftycal]

the new fiscal year is only two months away so i'd recommend waiting. i wouldn't want to compromise with my career

[Will84]

I would also wait. April isn't too far off!

[Mkimmay]

Thanks guys
What do you think my chances are like?

[fiftycal]

Air Factor is a medical classification where you're examined to see if you meet the threshold to operate in an aviation environment. Merit listed means that your completed application has been ranked and you'll be given an offer to join if you meet the cutoff for the number of candidates they're selecting.

It's impossible to say what your chances are because there's too many factors. You might be the only person apply for the trade so your chances would effectively be 100% or there might be 10,000 people apply and you'll have to go head-to-head with all of them. Like I always say though, you gotta play to win!

[Mkimmay]

Alrighty, thanks alot!! I'll just talk to the recruiter tomorrow to see what needs to be done... Hopefully I can get all my medicals done (air factor) unless I can't do them until I get a spot...

I'm such a worry wart... :(

Is Air Factor what the actual test is called? Like "The Air Factor Test"? I'm new to all these terminologies, sorry hehe

[NikN]

To receive an Air Factor you will have to do a panel of blood and urine tests, an ECG (where they strap electrodes to your chest and record its electrical activity,) and a nice 3-hour eye exam. If I remember correctly, the urine test checks for the presence of blood, while the blood tests themselves check your cholesterol and blood sugar.

I was referred to an independent lab after doing my basic medical, and to the school of Optometry at my nearby university for the vision tests. The results were sent directly to the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group. I was processed at the Kitchener recruiting center. I've heard of different experiences, however. Some have done all these tests at their recruiting center, while some were sent to Toronto where the actual doctors that review the results and assign Air Factors sit. Different recruiting centers will do it differently.

At this stage you definately want to be proactive - I did my tests in June, and only received my Air Factor in November once I started making calls... turns out my ECG results never made it into my file as the lab forgot to send them and it sat there incomplete for months. Two weeks after my recruiting center called the lab to send the results, I had an Air Factor. Time is of course of the essence for you as the new fiscal year is approaching - April 1st, however the MCC (Military Career Counsellor) told me that sometimes the even start processing and giving out offers late February/early March if they're given clearance to do so. So get the tests done and then stay on top of the status of your medical file. Get it 'complete' as soon as possible!

Once your file is complete it will be sent off to the Aerospace and Undersea Medical Board (AUMB) in Toronto and they will assign it an Air Factor. You need A2 to become an AES OP. You can read up on what that means here - scroll down to Air Factor: http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante...4/CH-3-eng.asp

Best of luck - I'm waiting for April too. I was also given an offer for AC OP, one of my alternate choices, and eventually chose to turn it down to hold out for AES OP. As many current AES OP's on this board pointed out, you're deciding on possibly the next few decades of your life... what's a couple months now!

Regards,
-Nik

[Mkimmay]

3 hour eye exam!! Nice! I'm soo looking forward to that one :P

Thanks for the ton of information!! You're from Kitchener? Did they send you to Waterloo to get it done? I live in London, and hopefully they'll send me to UWO so I won't have to drive all the way to toronto to do my tests

I hope we both get an offer soon! Thanks again! I'm calling them as soon as the recruiting centre opens tomorrow

[Kevin Pascal]

Best of luck in the application process, Mkimmay. As you can tell by the number and speed of replies on the board, there are some great people in the community.

It may take some time but it is well worth the wait. Stay the course and you could one day be a member of the best tarde in the CF! Well, I suppose I could be a bit biased.