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Like the title says, it's coming up to two years since I completed the CFAT with the goal of becoming an officer in Int, Log or Arm.
In another thread I detailed some of the issues with my application that has led to the lengthy process. Mainly, my long periods of residence in China, as a student and then as a expat worker. Obviously security issues and the background check were the main barriers to entry. The low numbers of Int positions available and preference for those already in the CF also don't help, though many Log positions are currently available.
After sorting out all the paperwork, and miraculously getting my hands on a police criminal record check from Chinese authorities and a credit report - two things that are very difficult to get without the proper connections - I was finally allowed to arrange for an interview and medical.
The interview took place today, and it was a lot longer than I expected. It took about an hour and was very similar to what can be expected at any corporate job interview. One interesting thing I did find out was that I scored 100% on the verbal portion of the CFAT, though I was very average in the other portions.
In the ensuing two years while waiting in limbo, I've utilized that time to get myself into shape. I'm confident I now make the minimums for fitness, but of course, minimums aren't good enough. I've been fortunate enough to have a friend who is a kinesiology graduate and a personal trainer to help me devise a workout plan.
Basically four sets each with 10 reps, and all major muscles are worked out. He strongly emphasizes core training, and most importantly in having a proper diet. According to him, working out without eating properly is just wasting time and energy without any gains. He advocates many small meals and avoiding of fat and sugars while keeping up protein intake.
The amount of push-ups I can do, to me, is the biggest indicator of my physical fitness progress. Initially I couldn't do a single push-up, only able to raise myself slightly above the ground. Being slightly overweight and extremely unfit did not help. Now I can do 30 on average.
Sit-ups have also improved, and on a good day I can finish 50.
Running and cardio are now my biggest challenges. Due to poor air quality in China, it was something that I didn't work too much on, but now I'm back in Canada, it's something I'm really focusing on. I'm simply running around the track and counting my laps and times.
A good friend of mine, a veteran of the CF and the British army, has just returned to Canada. Being a infantryman for the past decade and nearly badged into the SAS, he's in great shape and a strong believer in hill and interval training. So luckily for me, I have an extremely fit former platoon sergeant to further motivate me and take me out for hikes, and these are training hikes not the communing with nature and bird watching types.
My medical is two days from now and I don't foresee any problems there, but who knows what surprises may turn up.
In another thread I detailed some of the issues with my application that has led to the lengthy process. Mainly, my long periods of residence in China, as a student and then as a expat worker. Obviously security issues and the background check were the main barriers to entry. The low numbers of Int positions available and preference for those already in the CF also don't help, though many Log positions are currently available.
After sorting out all the paperwork, and miraculously getting my hands on a police criminal record check from Chinese authorities and a credit report - two things that are very difficult to get without the proper connections - I was finally allowed to arrange for an interview and medical.
The interview took place today, and it was a lot longer than I expected. It took about an hour and was very similar to what can be expected at any corporate job interview. One interesting thing I did find out was that I scored 100% on the verbal portion of the CFAT, though I was very average in the other portions.
In the ensuing two years while waiting in limbo, I've utilized that time to get myself into shape. I'm confident I now make the minimums for fitness, but of course, minimums aren't good enough. I've been fortunate enough to have a friend who is a kinesiology graduate and a personal trainer to help me devise a workout plan.
Basically four sets each with 10 reps, and all major muscles are worked out. He strongly emphasizes core training, and most importantly in having a proper diet. According to him, working out without eating properly is just wasting time and energy without any gains. He advocates many small meals and avoiding of fat and sugars while keeping up protein intake.
The amount of push-ups I can do, to me, is the biggest indicator of my physical fitness progress. Initially I couldn't do a single push-up, only able to raise myself slightly above the ground. Being slightly overweight and extremely unfit did not help. Now I can do 30 on average.
Sit-ups have also improved, and on a good day I can finish 50.
Running and cardio are now my biggest challenges. Due to poor air quality in China, it was something that I didn't work too much on, but now I'm back in Canada, it's something I'm really focusing on. I'm simply running around the track and counting my laps and times.
A good friend of mine, a veteran of the CF and the British army, has just returned to Canada. Being a infantryman for the past decade and nearly badged into the SAS, he's in great shape and a strong believer in hill and interval training. So luckily for me, I have an extremely fit former platoon sergeant to further motivate me and take me out for hikes, and these are training hikes not the communing with nature and bird watching types.
My medical is two days from now and I don't foresee any problems there, but who knows what surprises may turn up.
