Air Operations Officer

Join to apply for the  Air Operations Officer  role at  Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes
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Join to apply for the  Air Operations Officer  role at  Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes
Overview

As a member of the military, Air Operations Officers command, control, and coordinate air and space forces in tactical, operational, and strategic environments. They are expert in planning, directing, and leading air and space operations, leveraging experience developed at tactical units and formations to integrate those effects in higher-level joint, combined, and pan-domain operations and campaigns. Typical employment areas include unit and wing operations and command positions, air and space operations centres, joint ops and plans, in RCAF and CAF strategic roles, and with allies and partners in standing and deployed C2 nodes and headquarters.
Overview

As a member of the military, Air Operations Officers command, control, and coordinate air and space forces in tactical, operational, and strategic environments. They are expert in planning, directing, and leading air and space operations, leveraging experience developed at tactical units and formations to integrate those effects in higher-level joint, combined, and pan-domain operations and campaigns. Typical employment areas include unit and wing operations and command positions, air and space operations centres, joint ops and plans, in RCAF and CAF strategic roles, and with allies and partners in standing and deployed C2 nodes and headquarters.

Work environment

Air Operations Officers may be employed across the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), though typically within the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). They typically begin their careers in flying or space squadrons/wings to develop capability-specific awareness. Following this, they may branch out into other capabilities or bring their expertise to bear on operational and strategic operations. They may also be employed in force generation activities as diverse as project management and requirements capture and tracking.

Air Operations Officers work alongside officers of the other air operations occupations. They bring an outside view of the aircraft to RCAF operations to complement those who begin their RCAF journey from inside an aircraft. They may be employed around the world from anywhere where air and space operations are based. This includes headquarters, airfields, ships, or in the field with the Army.

They provide expertise in rescue coordination centers, headquarters and project offices.

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 determine 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 Military Officer Qualification training.

Regular Officer Training Plan

Due to the requirement for CAF officers to hold a university degree, the CAF will pay successful recruits to complete a bachelor degree program in the Royal Military College System. Under this entry plan, recruits will receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full pay in exchange for guaranteed employment in the CAF, for a defined period of service.

Typically, candidates enter the Canadian Military College System as an Officer Cadet where they study subjects relevant to both their military and academic career. If applying for the ROTP, it is recommended that applicants apply to other Canadian universities concurrently in the event they are not accepted for ROTP.

Training

After enrolment, Air Operations Officers begin their career by successfully completing the Basic Military Officer Occupation Qualification training 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, regulations and customs of the Canadian Armed Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership.

A rigorous physical…