SAR Tech

[cam27]

Just wondering if any DND guys out there know much about direct entry SAR Tech. I talked to the recruitment centre about it, but they didn't seem to know too much about it and confused me more then helped me.

I know the direct entry is a new thing they are trying out, and I havn't been able to find out to much about what they are actually looking for. I've heard PCP is a minimum requirement, and I would imagine all sorts of rescue courses wouldn't hurt. Are they looking more for guys that have lots of medical experience, or firefighting? Are they still giving preference to current DND members? Is there a schooling requirement? I know they are not officers so I would imagine uni is not required.

I'd really like to one day get into this trade, as difficult as it maybe. Anything you guys know would be helpful.

Thanks

[Roadwarrior]

For some interesting reading, check out this month's edition of "Canadian Geographic". I don't recall any reference to firefighting in the article.

http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/magazine/jf09/feature_hero_school.asp

[QuebecFire]

Its pretty tough to get into this trade considering there are only 130 Sar techs across Canada, 9 Wing Gander, 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S., 8 Wing Trenton, Ont., 17 Wing Winnipeg, Man. and 19 Wing Comox, B.C.

Its looks like a fun and exciting job, I heard that SAR techs are like the (orange) JTF without guns, search and rescue special ops.

[ndvfd_ff33]

Just wondering if any DND guys out there know much about direct entry SAR Tech. I talked to the recruitment centre about it, but they didn't seem to know too much about it and confused me more then helped me.

I know the direct entry is a new thing they are trying out, and I havn't been able to find out to much about what they are actually looking for. I've heard PCP is a minimum requirement, and I would imagine all sorts of rescue courses wouldn't hurt. Are they looking more for guys that have lots of medical experience, or firefighting? Are they still giving preference to current DND members? Is there a schooling requirement? I know they are not officers so I would imagine uni is not required.

I'd really like to one day get into this trade, as difficult as it maybe. Anything you guys know would be helpful.

Thanks

Rumors I heard about Direct Entry were that not too many guys made it all that far. A lot of guys failed the PT tests, so that's a big hint. These guys are in ridiculous shape. That's about the only way I can think of putting that. Firefighting probably wouldn't really be that big of a help, even though yes you do medical stuff. I do recall hearing that PCP was a minimum requirement to get in direct entry. DND re-musters vs Direct entry shouldn't be an issue seeing as they are two totally different processes. Obviously it's easier for a person in the military to simply do the PT test and get signed off for a re-muster than Joe off the street who still needs to complete basic etc.

It seems like a good trade and the SAR guys I've talked too, I see them a lot, seem to love it.

[itsnotahobby]

These guys are hard as nails and are the pride of the search and rescue community and part of the elite in the military.

I've watched a few shows and read articles on these guys. One of the reasons that they are so well respected around the world is the fact of their small numbers. This makes it only the cream of the crop who get hired.

I watched them work in a joint training exercise with the US and Brits, while under equipped compared to the US, they proved their worth more than once. All of the American and British soldiers interviewed couldn't say enough about them.

[red_dog_six]

I have lots of friends that are SAR Techs. I will ask them if they know of any that came in Direct Entry. Everyone I know were Remusters from Infantry and Engineers.

[dentedhead]

When I worked in TO we had a great arrangement with the forces.We did many of their medcs precepting, including SAR techs.These are some of the absolute fittest human beings I have seen,they are on par with a world class triathalete IMHO but with bigger muscles and less attitude.

So I would think hard about that before that next bowl of ice cream.Direct entry or not.

Dentedhead

[cam27]

Thanks for the input. I know how hardcore these guys are, and what kind of fitness level is required. I'm also not kidding myself about how difficult it is to get selected for this trade, but that also doesn't mean I'm not going to try. Just curious if anyone out there knew much about the new direct entry program, cause the guys are the recruiting centre here don't have a clue.

[red_dog_six]

Here is one of my buddies. We played on the same Military Hockey team when we were in the Infantry.

Also sent him an email asking about direct entry's.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/view-news-afficher-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=2177

Sgt Andrew McLean is one of two Canadians to enter the Yukon Arctic Ultra’s 460-mile event. With only 13 days to complete the trek through the Arctic, that is nearly 18 full marathons. As the current Canadian male ultrarunner of the year, and Canada’s fastest 100-mile marathon runner in 2005, training has become a lifestyle for the world-class athlete.

[red_dog_six]

Howdy!

Andrew McLean who is a Sgt with the Sar Techs sent me this:

"the last two courses have had direct entry, they must have training like FF , Paramedics, police. Have them conntact the Canadian Forces Recruiting office, they have all the required info for direct entry into SAR. They are doing this as a trial and I am not sure how long it will last."

So this is fairly new obviously!

[northwheeler]

Thanks for the input. I know how hardcore these guys are, and what kind of fitness level is required. I'm also not kidding myself about how difficult it is to get selected for this trade, but that also doesn't mean I'm not going to try. Just curious if anyone out there knew much about the new direct entry program, cause the guys are the recruiting centre here don't have a clue.

Hey Cam! I served for 8 year and always was interested in SAR tech. I did a little bit of research into the direct entry program a while back cause I couldn't believe they were doing mostly. But they are I heard because of lack of interest from serving members. Anyways I found a page about the first civi to make it through and he was a very talented dude with a crazy amount of experience in the mountains out west. I am certainly not trying to discourage you but if I were you I would maybe think about joining a local reserve unit or something and applying that way. I think only two civies were pick out of somewhere around 1000 app., and like was stated above it was on a trail basis so who knows if it is even working. Also maybe you could check the army.ca forum if ya already hadn't. good luck

[itsnotahobby]

Hey Cam! I served for 8 year and always was interested in SAR tech. I did a little bit of research into the direct entry program a while back cause I couldn't believe they were doing mostly. But they are I heard because of lack of interest from serving members. Anyways I found a page about the first civi to make it through and he was a very talented dude with a crazy amount of experience in the mountains out west. I am certainly not trying to discourage you but if I were you I would maybe think about joining a local reserve unit or something and applying that way. I think only two civies were pick out of somewhere around 1000 app., and like was stated above it was on a trail basis so who knows if it is even working. Also maybe you could check the army.ca forum if ya already hadn't. good luck

I'm going to say what we say all the time. You'll never get a job you don't apply for.

[FF12]

From what I have heard, while I was in there was one platoon in St. Jean that had SAR techs in the BMQ. Those guys from what I heard were the fittest guys in the platoon and were awarded orange berets upon graduation, that was for the trial they were running a while back maybe a yr or so ago. They have just recently opened it to DE across the board what the entrance requirements are and what kind of details they are stating in the contract is something I do not know about however, that is something you need to speak to your recruiter about. I will advise you though, if you do have the Firefighter and/or medical background behind you make sure you put down one choice for careers and that is what you want, when they call you and ask you to be a med tech or tell you to get into this trade and well transfer you in a yr or two make sure you stick to your guns and say no to everything but what you want. I have spoken to way to many people who were caught in that trap. All the best and good luck, SAR is one of the coveted professions in the military.

[ndvfd_ff33]

Those guys from what I heard were the fittest guys in the platoon and were awarded orange berets upon graduation

I bet that pissed off a lot of people, if it is true. I doubt they gave them orange berets. I am more than certain the guys who wear it(the ones who actually have earned the right to wear it) wouldn't allow that to happen. The orange beret is one of the hardest things to earn in the CF and it would floor me if they just gave it away.

[FF12]

NDVFD, don't quote me on that but I think that is what I heard, I may not have the full story, but I guess anything is possible.

[red_dog_six]

Maybe they got the Beret but not the hat badge.

When we went through, when we finished Basic Trg, we got a Beret (green), Armoured guys got black etc. But no one got the Regimental Hat Badge until the 20 weeks of Battleschool were complete. This could be the case here.

Not sure though as the Direct Entry SAR Tech is new and only on a trial basis right now.

[ndvfd_ff33]

NDVFD, don't quote me on that but I think that is what I heard, I may not have the full story, but I guess anything is possible.

True enough. Like I said I would be floored if they did that though.

Maybe they got the Beret but not the hat badge.

SAR Tech's wear the standard Air Force cap badge. That's the whole reason I said that was because they generally do not get their orange beret until they graduate the course. Pretty well the same as the case you pointed out with no regimental cap badge until battle school is done, just they wait for the beret.