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Having had to piece bits of information from sources everywhere, I figured I would put in my most valued information learned in the VOT process. Feel free to add in.
The most important: BPSO interview. This cannot be overstated. We aren’t permitted to talk about the interview, but what you should do before you go is: Review your PERS file at the OR. Know what they will be looking at when they look at your file. This way if there is anything that is a bit dodgy you can pre-emptively bring it up during the interview. FYI all of your course reports are on it from EVERY course you have taken regardless of how much time in or broken service etc. I was out for 10 years and my very first trade course report was on it (much to my sorrow). Ensure that you are DAG Green and of course that your FORCE test will be valid.
The reason the BPSO interview is so important is that the ONLY things that the board gets on you are: 1) MPRR, 2) your AVOT memo, and 3) BPSO recommendation. So no matter how well you do on courses etc they will only see the BPSO’s assessment. Prepare for this interview and prepare as well as you can for the trade you want. The appointment is Dress of the Day, but upon reflection, I would have worn my 3’s.
Secondly: Start the process ASAP. The memo will likely be your biggest block and delay. Book your medicals ASAP (esp if you are going to require special medical like aircrew or diver etc) sometimes you can be waiting as long as a couple of months for the appointments. Also, the sooner that your file gets forwarded to CFEME the less delay you will have for your application process. (CFEME is responsible for granting aircrew or diver categories). Once your medical is done check in with the hospital records department who mails your medicals out to CFEME. They can sit there for months….
Some solid advice I got for my memo was:
1) Put the timeline that all of the paperwork will be required at the BPSO (completed) on the memo. (Usually the last para) this gives the CO etc. a heads up as to timeline for the process.
2) Put the CANFORGEN and the forms checklist that you get on the BPSO website for forms that will be required. Often your CoC has never done this and you will save time providing them with the resources that you have been using.
3) Make copies and when your memo is good to go get a tracking number for it through your OR before it starts up the chain. This way if it is stuck somewhere along the way you can find out who and where.
Make copies of every application part that you are responsible for as to avoid any complications due to things getting “lost”.
Use current forms on the BPSO website for the application. You don’t want to have to re-do any of them.
Finally, be patient or at the very least respectful during the process. Keep your cool; be professional even when things are frustrating. If they are being unprofessional, you don’t have to follow suit. It is not a sprint but an endurance race. If you start the process soon enough you allow sufficient time for any delays to not put you in a time crunch. Take time to thank those who have or are helping you, it makes quite the difference to the effort they will put down on your behalf.
The most important: BPSO interview. This cannot be overstated. We aren’t permitted to talk about the interview, but what you should do before you go is: Review your PERS file at the OR. Know what they will be looking at when they look at your file. This way if there is anything that is a bit dodgy you can pre-emptively bring it up during the interview. FYI all of your course reports are on it from EVERY course you have taken regardless of how much time in or broken service etc. I was out for 10 years and my very first trade course report was on it (much to my sorrow). Ensure that you are DAG Green and of course that your FORCE test will be valid.
The reason the BPSO interview is so important is that the ONLY things that the board gets on you are: 1) MPRR, 2) your AVOT memo, and 3) BPSO recommendation. So no matter how well you do on courses etc they will only see the BPSO’s assessment. Prepare for this interview and prepare as well as you can for the trade you want. The appointment is Dress of the Day, but upon reflection, I would have worn my 3’s.
Secondly: Start the process ASAP. The memo will likely be your biggest block and delay. Book your medicals ASAP (esp if you are going to require special medical like aircrew or diver etc) sometimes you can be waiting as long as a couple of months for the appointments. Also, the sooner that your file gets forwarded to CFEME the less delay you will have for your application process. (CFEME is responsible for granting aircrew or diver categories). Once your medical is done check in with the hospital records department who mails your medicals out to CFEME. They can sit there for months….
Some solid advice I got for my memo was:
1) Put the timeline that all of the paperwork will be required at the BPSO (completed) on the memo. (Usually the last para) this gives the CO etc. a heads up as to timeline for the process.
2) Put the CANFORGEN and the forms checklist that you get on the BPSO website for forms that will be required. Often your CoC has never done this and you will save time providing them with the resources that you have been using.
3) Make copies and when your memo is good to go get a tracking number for it through your OR before it starts up the chain. This way if it is stuck somewhere along the way you can find out who and where.
Make copies of every application part that you are responsible for as to avoid any complications due to things getting “lost”.
Use current forms on the BPSO website for the application. You don’t want to have to re-do any of them.
Finally, be patient or at the very least respectful during the process. Keep your cool; be professional even when things are frustrating. If they are being unprofessional, you don’t have to follow suit. It is not a sprint but an endurance race. If you start the process soon enough you allow sufficient time for any delays to not put you in a time crunch. Take time to thank those who have or are helping you, it makes quite the difference to the effort they will put down on your behalf.