Each project arrives with its purpose, milestones and first tasks written out. Here is how the first three read.
Testing whether military life suits you
Recruiters see plenty of applicants who like the idea of the uniform but have never thought about early mornings, being told where to live, long periods away from home and following lawful orders they disagree with. Spending a few weeks testing the reality against your expectations, before any application, saves you from signing a multi-year engagement you want out of by the third week of basic training.
First tasks
- Write down five reasons you want to join and three things that worry you
- Watch your defence force's official recruitment videos and read its careers pages
- Live one week on a 5.30am wake, daily exercise and a made bed
- Decide whether to apply now, wait a year or look elsewhere
Enlisted or officer entry route decision
Two doors lead into most defence forces: enlisting as a private, seaman or airman, or applying as an officer cadet, usually with higher academic requirements and a separate selection board. Choosing deliberately, based on your qualifications, age and the kind of work you want, matters because switching later is possible but slow.
First tasks
- Find the published entry requirements for enlisted and officer entry
- List your exam results and check them against both sets of requirements
- Compare training length, starting pay and duties for each route
- Write down your chosen route and a fallback route
Choosing between land forces, coast guard, air wing and reserves
Land forces, a coast guard, an air wing and the reserves are very different working lives, even inside one small defence force such as those in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados or Guyana. Matching the branch to whether you want to be at sea, in the field, around aircraft or serving part-time shapes your training, postings and the trades open to you.
First tasks
- List every branch and unit type your target force recruits for
- Note any extra requirement each branch sets, such as a swim test
- Ask a recruiter which branches are recruiting this year
- Rank your first and second choice of branch with one reason each
