Artillery Officer

Overview
Overview  As a member of the military, an Artillery Officer is expected to coordinate and execute indirect fire support, ground based air defense, surveillance and target acquisition, and provide tactical advice as part of the combat arms team. Working closely with the other members of the combat arms in the Armoured, Infantry and Combat Engineering regiments as well as all other support arms on and off the battlefield.

There are three specialized areas for an Artillery Officer:
Field Artillery Officer, Air Defense Officer, and Target Acquisition Officer. Each are expected to become experts of their own technologically complex equipment and its tactical employment.

Field Artillery Officers Expertise

Howitzers and Mortars

Battlefield Surveillance Radars

Observation & Fire control systems

Coordination and integration of indirect fire and close air support

Air Defense Officer Expertise

Air Surveillance Radars

Tactical Data Link Systems

Future Ground Based Air Defence Systems

Target Acquisition Officer Expertise

Uncrewed Aerial Systems

Acoustic Weapons Locating Systems

Weapons Locating Radars

Artillery Intelligence and Counter-Battery Fires

Work environment
An Artillery Officer can be called upon to serve in any kind of terrain be it Arctic tundra, tropical jungle, desert, mountains, or urban town and cities. Artillery Officers are deployed overseas on operational missions and in Canada in support of civil authorities in cases of national emergency. Initially, they are posted to one of five Artillery regiments:

1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, Shilo, Manitoba

2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, Petawawa, Ontario

The Royal Canadian Artillery School, Combat Training Centre, Gagetown, New Brunswick

4th Artillery Regiment (General Support) Royal Canadian Artillery, Gagetown, New Brunswick

5th Canadian Light Artillery Regiment, 5 Canadian Mechanized 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 a 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 (BMOQ) 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 and CAF ethos, basic small arms weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in field 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.

After basic training, you will go to the Infantry School at the Combat Training Centre in Gagetown, New Brunswick for another 12 weeks to complete Basic Military Officer Qualification Army (BMOQA), where you will build upon the leadership training you received in basic in addition to learning the skills required of all Combat Arms…