Artillery Officer

Overview

As a member of the military, an Artillery Officer coordinates and executes indirect fire support, ground‑based air defence, surveillance, target acquisition, and provides tactical advice as part of the combat arms team. The Officer works closely with members of the Armoured, Infantry and Combat Engineering regiments as well as all other support arms on and off the battlefield.

• Howitzers and mortars
• Battlefield surveillance radars
• Observation and fire‑control systems
• Coordination and integration of indirect fire and close air support

• Air surveillance radars
• Tactical data‑link systems
• Future ground‑based air defence systems

• Uncrewed aerial systems
• Acoustic weapons locating systems
• Weapons locating radars
• Artillery intelligence and counter‑battery fires

An Artillery Officer may be called upon to serve in any terrain—Arctic tundra, tropical jungle, desert, mountains, or urban town and cities. Officers are deployed overseas on operational missions and in Canada in support of civil authorities during national emergencies.

Initially, Officers 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

• Direct Entry Options
• Paid Education Options

If you already have a university degree, the CAF will determine if your academic program meets the criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on‑the‑job training program following basic training.

After enrolment, training proceeds through the Following stages:

• Basic Officer Training (BMOQ) – 12 weeks at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School.
• Infantry School at the Combat Training Centre – 12 weeks to complete Basic Military Officer Qualification Army (BMOQA).
• Further courses at the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School – training in duties of an Artillery Troop Commander across all specialties.
• Specialised coaching (Fire Support Officer, Ground‑Based Air Defence Officer, Forward Observation Officer, Target Acquisition Officer, Joint Terminal Attack Controller).

This position is available for part‑time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Officers serve part time at an Army Base or armoury while possibly pursuing education or a civilian career. They are paid during training and may volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. They begin training with their home unit and receive additional training for specialised skills as needed.

• Engineer Officer
• Infantry Officer
• Armour Officer