What is the Army Coop program?
It is an Entry Plan into the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve. Students who successfully complete the application process will be enrolled as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Army Reserve. Their COOP placement during the second semester is their basic training, the same training any member of the Reserves must take. Their Reserve service is non-contractual however students are expected to continue their military career on a part-time basis after COOP ends. This service is minimum 1 night/week, and 1 weekend/month starting the September following COOP. This is a paid placement which equates to approximately $14,000+ for the duration of the COOP. Summer Employment after the COOP is also available which equates to another $10,000 if the student works July and August.
**Students should select a four-credit co-op and follow up with their guidance counselor to ensure it is in the second semester**
What is the Army Reserves?
The Canadian Army Reserve is an integrated part of the Canadian Army that contributes to the success of military operations at home and abroad. Within Canada, the Army Reserve is consistently part of every domestic operation when the Army is called upon to assist provincial governments with natural disasters such a floods or fires, as well as with other events where the Army is asked to help, such as the long-term care facilities during the COVID Pandemic. The Army Reserve provides a military presence in over 100 communities across Canada, putting a familiar, local face on the Army for the Canadian public. Reservists come from all sorts of backgrounds – from young Canadians attending high school or entering universities or colleges, to civic-minded Canadians of all ages who have careers outside the Army Reserve in a wide range of civilian occupations. Simply put, training and employment within the Canadian Army Reserve meets the needs of citizens willing to take on the Army challenge and contribute their varied skills and backgrounds that enrich and strengthen the Canadian Army. Overview of the Army COOP Program: Upon successful completion of the program students will be granted 4 applied (general) High School COOP credits. Each school board determines the amount and type of credits, therefore please discuss accreditation with your teacher. The program will run from the first Tuesday after the Family Day long weekend in February to June. Training will be held at a local armoury 4 to 5 days a week from 8am to 5pm. Students are required to get to and from the placement location by their own means. Training includes, but not limited to, firearm handling on the C7 rifle, standard first aid with CPR from St. Johns ambulance, navigation using map and compass, military regulations, drill/marching and physical fitness. During the field portion students will be bused to a Canadian Armed Forces base, meals and accommodation will be provided.
Overview of the Army COOP Program:
Upon successful completion of the program students will be granted 4 applied (general) High School COOP credits. Each school board determines the amount and type of credits, therefore please discuss accreditation with your teacher. The program will run from the first Tuesday after the Family Day long weekend in February to June. Training will be held at a local armoury 4 to 5 days a week from 8am to 5pm. Students are required to get to and from the placement location by their own means. Training includes, but not limited to, weapons handling on the C7 assault rifle, standard first aid with CPR from St. Johns ambulance, navigation using map and compass, military regulations, drill/marching and physical fitness. During the field portion students will be bused to a Canadian Armed Forces base, meals and accommodation will be provided.
In order to apply to the Army Reserve COOP Education Program please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Online Application
Students must submit an online application on the FORCES.CA website. During the application it will ask for your “Entry Plan,” ensure you use RES COOP
Step 2: Document Collection
Students must collect the following original documentation to start the testing phase of the application.
1. Government issued photo ID with address a. Canadian Driver’s license, or b. Ontario photo ID card
2. Proof of Canadian citizenship or Permanent residency a. Canadian birth certificate, or b. Citizenship card, or c. Permanent resident card d. Passports are not accepted
3. Official High School Transcripts a. Must show minimum of 15 Ontario high school credits b. Report cards are not accepted
Step 3: File Submission and Physical Fitness Assessment (Force Test)
Students may book their initial testing once Steps 1 and 2 are complete. To book they must email 32cbgrecruiting@forces.gc.ca. To ensure they have correctly applied to the program they must identify themselves as a coop applicant who is ready for testing by stating the below in their email:
1. Email subject line reads: “Coop Applicant”
2. Body of email states
a. Full Legal Name
b. Date of Birth
c. Phone number
d. Placement location they are applying to (reference page 3)
e. Confirmation they have the documents from Step 2.
f. They are ready for a File Submission and FORCE test i. Details of the FORCE test can be found HERE CFMWS | Military Fitness Testing and specialty trades certifications | CFMWS
Applicants under 18 years of age will require parental consent upon submission of their application.
Step 4: Additional Testing
Once the student has successfully completed Step 3, they will be booked in for additional assessments which include the following:
1. Canadian Armed Forces Aptitude Test a. Based on grade 10 level of education
b. Problem-Solving, Spatial Ability and Verbal Skills
2. Medical Evaluation a. Eyes, ears and pre-existing medical conditions will be evaluated or discussed with trained personnel
3. Interview
4. Background check a. National criminal records and credit check will be conducted
*******Please come speak with a co-op teacher today if you require additional information*******
**Students should select a four-credit co-op and follow up with their guidance counselor to ensure it is the second semester**
Offered at CFB Borden
Offered at CFB Borden
Offered in Aurora
To apply go to the Canadian Forces website forces.ca/en/