2 Joining the Reserves What is the Reserve Force? The Reserve Force is a large branch of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). It is made up of people from the community who work in the CAF part time or full time. Members of the Reserve Force are called Reservists. Most Reservists also have other jobs. Alternatively, the Regular Force consists of members that work full time. These Did you know? members are also available at a moment’s notice to respond to any natural disasters or The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) was threat to national security. previously referred to as the Canadian Forces (CF). The name was changed in 2013 to give a truer sense of the purpose of our troops. Who joins the Reserve Force? People join the Reserves for many different reasons. Some want adventure, a chance to serve others, a challenge, or a second income. However, something all Reservists have in common is a wish to serve their country. A career in the Canadian Armed Forces is a call to duty. The soldiers, sailors, airmen, and airwomen who answer this call want to help others, and they are determined to defend and protect what they believe in. Military families “Strength Behind the Uniform.” 3 About this handbook Why do we have an Orientation Handbook? The Reserve Force is a large branch of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). In the Canadian Armed Forces, we say that military families are the Strength Behind the Uniform. Families support Reservists during relatively small commitments like weekend training and summer courses. Families also support Reservists during major events, for example, when the Reservists are sent to other parts of Canada or the world. Finding information Families deserve respect and recognition for supporting those who defend Canada. If you are reading this handbook, you are likely the mother, father, husband, wife, child, or other family about the CAF member of a Reservist. The Canadian Armed Forces salutes you for being the Strength Behind the Uniform. If you’re looking online, try searching for Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Reservists must train for their new responsibilities. Similarly, the families of Reservists can use this Forces as well as both acronyms (CAF and handbook to prepare for life with a Reservist. CF). Some programs and publications still use the old Canadian Forces (CF) name. One For whom is this Orientation Handbook? example is the Canadian Forces Member There are four types of Reservists: Primary Reservists, Supplementary Reservists, Canadian Assistance Program (CFMAP). Rangers, and the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service. This Orientation Handbook is for the families of Primary Reservists. Military families “Strength Behind the Uniform.” 4 Acronyms in this handbook Acronyms are short forms of names or phrases. For example, CAF is the acronym for Canadian Armed Forces. Acronyms are very common in the CAF, and the Reservist in your family will use them. To help you become familiar with some common acronyms, we have included them in parentheses in this handbook, like this: Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Also, a list of all the acronyms used in this handbook is provided on page 30. List of acronyms BMQ: Basic Military Qualification CAF: Canadian Armed Forces CANEX: Canadian Forces Exchange System CF: Canadian Forces CFHS: Canadian Forces Health Services CFLC: Canadian Forces Liaison Council CFMAP: Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program CFRC: Canadian Forces Recruitment Centre CO: Commanding Officer A full list of acronyms used in this handbook is provided on page 30. Military families “Strength Behind the Uniform.” 5 Acknowledgments We would like to extend special thanks to the Reserve Force Family Orientation Project Advisory Committee. Each member of the committee brought subject matter expertise that, when combined, created an accurate, meaningful and relevant handbook. We could not have created this handbook without such an excellent team. Thank you all so much. Your support for this ambitious project is something we will never forget. Major Beverly Wolf, 19 Air Reserve Flight Comox WO Lise Bourgon, Canadian Forces Recruitment Centre (CFRC) Pacific Meghan Trafananko, Mainland BC Military Family Resource Centre MWO William Oliver, 19 Air Reserve Flight Comox Joan Stone, London Military Family Resource Centre James Knox, Calgary Military Family Resource Centre Caroleann Macwhirter, Gander Military Family Resource Centre Additional and special thanks go out to Caroleann Macwhirter of the Gander Military Family Resource Centre. We could not have achieved everything we did without your experience, passion and advocacy for families, not to mention your keen editing eye. Allison Stockdale Reserve Force Family Orientation Project Coordinator Mainland BC Military Family Resource Centre January 2014 Military families “Strength Behind the Uniform.” 6 Contents Joining the Reserves ........................................................................................................ 2 What is the Reserve Force? .............................................................................................. 2 Who joins the Reserve Force? .......................................................................................... 2 About this handbook ........................................................................................................ 3 Why do we have an Orientation Handbook? ..................................................................... 3 For whom is this Orientation Handbook? .......................................................................... 3 Acronyms in this handbook .............................................................................................. 4 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................ 5 SECTION 1—MILITARY STRUCTURE AND TRADITIONS ....................................................... 8 The Canadian Armed Forces—Army, Navy and Air Force ............................................ 8 Military ranks .................................................................................................................... 9 Authority and leadership .................................................................................................. 9 Commanding Officer (CO) .............................................................................................. 10 Senior Non-Commissioned Members ............................................................................. 10 Chief Clerk ...................................................................................................................... 10 Reserve Force compared with Regular Force ............................................................. 11 Class “A,” Class “B” and Class “C” Reservists ........................................................... 13 Three types of Class “A” Reservists ............................................................................. 14 Reserve units .................................................................................................................. 14 Military promotions ........................................................................................................ 14 Mess customs, traditions and uniforms ....................................................................... 15 Attending a function at a Mess ....................................................................................... 15 Uniform .......................................................................................................................... 15 SECTION 2—ADJUSTING TO MILITARY LIFE ...................................................................... 16 Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) ................................................................. 16 MFRCs help families ....................................................................................................... 16 Services ......................................................................................................................... 16 The Reservist away from home..................................................................................... 17 Preparing for when your Reservist is away from home .................................................... 17 Duties that take a Reservist away from home .................................................................. 18 Separation ....................................................................................................................... 19 Common feelings while your Reservist is away from home .............................................. 19 Contacting a Reservist who is away from home .............................................................. 20 Reunion ........................................................................................................................... 20 Military families “Strength Behind the Uniform.” 7 Where to find help with separation and reunion ......................................................... 21 Deployment Support Coordinators ................................................................................. 21 Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) ................................................................................. 21 SECTION 3—MEDICAL, DENTAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ............................................. 21 Emergency help .............................................................................................................. 21 Non-emergency help .....................................................................................................