Army Reserve Co-op Program Information

Your written consent is required before participation in the Cooperative Education program with the Canadian Forces. The unique out-of-school component of this program necessitates a variety of modes of instruction that do not fit into the usual school routine or timetable.

A student must have successfully completed 15 secondary school credits and must be 16 years of age when applying to the Canadian Forces. A student may attend an Information Session prior to achieving 15 credits but must be 16 years of age prior to 30th September.

This program is a second semester, afternoon program, Monday to Fridays. Students participate in the first week pre-placement portion of the co-op course in their home schools before the Army Reserve Co-op Program start date. Throughout the semester, students will spend five days a week at the Armory. There will be Integration sessions on Mondays, which need to be coordinated with the students supervisors for attendance and makeup sessions. Students will earn their BMQ (Basic Military Qualifications) and Army Tactical Dismounted Basic Communicator. Other courses may also be granted including 9mm pistol and shotgun certifications.  Students may spend one weekends and 4 days away from school at an Area Training Centre. Specific dates and times will be available when the program begins. There will be opportunities for full-time and part- time employment upon completion of the program.

Join virtually at 7pm on any of the below dates:

  • September 16, 2025
  • October 1, 2025
  • October 6, 2025
  • October 22, 2025

Microsoft Teams Logo- Click Here to access parent info meeting link

Step 1:

IMPORTANT: Students will need to visit their guidance counselor and sign up for co-op to participate. They will need to apply online at the Forces.ca website and email the recruiter stating they want the co-op program. NOTE: There will not be an option on the website so an email is required.

Step 2:

Under the Privacy Act, information regarding the student cannot be accessed by the parent/guardian through the Recruiting Centre once parental consent has been given. Information will be made available to the student who must relay all details to the parent/guardian & teacher.

Waterloo Catholic DSB students must complete the consent form using the link below.

Step 3:

Apply Early – to the Canadian Forces using the link below. Applicants need to allow for adequate time to complete the lengthy application process.

Application Deadline – Sept 30, 2025 (Exceptions can be made dependent on the circumstance)

After you submit your application at www.forces.ca, here’s the order in which things usually happen at the Grand River Recruiting Garison offices:

  1. All Day Processing:
    • This is your first scheduled visit to our offices; all processing days are Wednesdays. You will need to arrive at either the Cambridge or Guelph Armoury between 9:45 am and 10:00 am.
    • You will need to bring all your required documentation for us to photocopy.
    • We will first go through your application together to ensure we have all required information and signatures.
    • We will also discuss the entire recruiting process, your trade of interest, and the required training.
  2. Next, you will move on to the Fitness Test portion of the processing day: FORCE test (fitness test)
  3. Interview: This will be your third visit to our offices. The Interview is our standardized formal interview, and all the questions will pertain to you and your history.
  4. Scheduling for Medical Assessment: Assuming successful completion of the testing portion, you will then be scheduled for your second visit. See below.
    • Medical Assessment: In your second visit, you’ll complete the Medical Questionnaire followed by the non-invasive medical exam by one of our Medics (vision and hearing acuity, colour vision, blood pressure, etc.)
    • This info is then sent to Ottawa to the Recruiting Medical Officer (RMO) for approval.
  5. Security Clearance and Reference Checks: These are administrative processes that we do on our side. We may require additional documentation from you.
  6. Enrollment: This is your swearing-in ceremony and the last step of the recruiting process.
  1. Proof of Education – must be issued by your institution, not just a print-off.
    • Official High School Transcript (Ontario High School Transcripts are water-marked and multi-coloured, on heavy paper, with a signature and embossed logo. Report-cards will not be accepted.)
    • AND (if applicable) Official University Transcript (This is required if you are applying for an Officer position.)
    • Applicants with International Schooling (including international high school) will need an Equivalency Assessment – email us for further information.
  2. Valid Photo ID – one of the following:
    • Driver’s Licence
    • Passport
    • Provincial ID Card
    • Firearms License
    • Indigenous Status Card
    • Permanent Resident Card
      *Health Cards are not accepted.
  3. Proof of Current Address – one of the following:
    • Driver’s Licence
      • An official piece of mail* will be required if the address on you Driver’s Licence is not your current address. *e.g., Bank Statement, Credit Card Statement, Official Letter, Insurance Statement, etc.** (If you’re not sure, email and ask.)
    • Provincial ID Card
  4. Proof of Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status – one of the following:
    • Provincial or Territorial Birth Certificate
    • Canadian Citizenship Certificate
    • Canadian Citizenship Card
    • Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad
    • Permanent Resident Card *Please be aware that everyone must undergo a security clearance and Perm. Res. applicants may take longer to process.*
Physical fitness testing requirements have been updated to reflect common physical demands of modern Canadian Armed Forces occupations. Students MUST pass the Canadian Forces Physical Fitness Test before their file will be sent for final processing.

Students are encouraged to maintain a regular physical fitness regimen. Interval training is highly recommended in preparation for the SPRINT phase of the test. (See Minimum Standards and Protocols for more information about this test). Explanation and Videos are available at

https://www.cafconnection.ca/CMTFE_FORCE  

General Information Test Item Minimum Standard
Materials handling are important aspects of Military service This test component assesses participants’ physical capacity with military materials handling tasks. The sandbag weighs 20 kg and may represent a variety of environmental or trade-specific materials Sandbag Lift (20 kg sandbag, 1 metre above the floor) 30 repetitions in 3 minutes 30 seconds or less
Carrying objects is a common task with a variety of military applications, as equipment and supplies need to be moved from location to location. This test is designed to measure the Participant’s ability to perform repeated carries. Intermittent Loaded Shuttles (carrying a sandbag for 40 meters x 20 repetitions) 5 minutes 21 seconds or less
The purpose of the 20 metre Rushes is to assess the participant’s ability to move quickly over short distances while changing body positions every 10 m. 20 metre Rushes 51 seconds or less
Pulling strength is an important component of many common military tasks. This test is designed to evaluate the participant’s ability to drag a load continuously over a 20 m distance. Sandbag Drag Complete 20 m drag without stopping. There is no time standard for this test item.

Transportation to and from the Armory is the responsibility of the student. 

Locations: 

Cambridge or Kitchener, Guelph and Waterloo

Attendance to all classes is mandatory including designated weekend and 4 full days. When students are ill, they must call the local Armoury and submit a Doctor’s note explaining the reason for the absence. If students miss a class due to a previously scheduled appointment, permission from the supervisor/instructor must be obtained prior to the appointment. There may be no opportunity to make up missed training. Missing more than two days for any reason may result in removal from the Army Reserves Co-op Program.

Uniforms will be provided. It is not acceptable to wear any part of the uniform in civilian life. The combat uniform must not be worn in the school and will result in disciplinary action. Students may wear the uniform on the way to the course and on the way home at the discretion of the course staff.

Students will be sworn in prior to starting the co-op program.

Students will be expected to train Thursday evenings in addition to the regular co-op hours (12:30 pm – 5:30 pm).

All students will be participating in training during one weekend and four days in April.

During these times students will be solely under the direction and supervision of the Canadian Forces.

It is expected that students will commit to continue with their military career through summer training following the Co-op program.

NOTE: There are no mandatory deployment requirements for reservists and no obligatory service.

 

Smoking, drinking of alcoholic beverages and consumption of narcotics will not be permitted.

Firearm Use– An integral part of soldiers’ training is familiarization, handling and firing of small firearms and ammunition. All weapons are used for military purposes only with a heavy emphasis on safety.

The Canadian Forces are committed to providing a respectful workplace by promoting prevention and prompt resolution of harassment. All Canadian Forces members have the right to be treated fairly, respectfully and with dignity in a workplace free of harassment, and they have the responsibility to treat others in the same manner. Harassment in any form constitutes unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated. No Canadian Forces member shall subject any person in the workplace to harassment. Any member who subjects another person to harassment is liable to disciplinary and administrative action.

Performance evaluation checks are based on performance objectives (PO) which consist of written tests, daily tests, and a final written test on each PO. All practical aspects of the course will be tested in a physical manner. Physical demonstrations of the physical performance objectives will be required.

Each student will be evaluated by the military using the Student Weekly Assessment and Counselling form. This evaluation is for Canadian Forces use only. Teachers, in cooperation with the supervisor, will complete regular monitoring assessments. They will coordinate these assessments with the course officer. Each student will receive a weekly file with a narrative summary of all tests. Any counselling given will also be recorded. The teachers may meet with the Section Commander once every three to four weeks. At the end of the course, the students will also receive a course report summarizing how they performed throughout the program. 

It is the student’s responsibility to complete all co-op paperwork as required by the school.

Contact Information

Tracy Pembleton

Sergeant / Sergent Tracy Pembleton, CD
Recruiter, 31 Canadian Brigade Group
Canadian Army Reserve / Government of Canada

tracy.pembleton@forces.gc.ca

Tel: 519 740 7322 ext 625 3316

Cambridge – 1 Valour pl, Cambridge, ON, N1R 3P1

Office Hours 9 :30 am to 3 :30 pm

FORCES.CA