My AVOTP exprience

[GreenMarine]

Just thought I would put this out, perhaps others can relate maybe some will post and relate with me, critic, etc.

Maybe my Story can inspire others in there journey through occupational Tranferes.


Brief History: I've been a supply Tech since 2002, and since summer 2012 I've been throwing the idea of getting out of supply.
After research and pondering, August 2013 I'll place my memo for AVOTP to Steward.

Reception was mixed at all lvls of my CoC, knowing my main goal is to return to the west coast, I've had the East Coast mentioned to me alot. My answer has been along the line of 50% chance is best chance available to me while in Uniform.

Anyways moving on and bringin after a month since submitting my memo, I got called over to my units Chief Clerk so I can book my OT medical, I got to see some of the comments, my supervisor Supports the OT but my next two boss's dont. My piece of mind is that the CO hasn't signed off and there's some hoops to jump throught that may secure his approval.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

I'd not worry as much about what your CofC thinks as what the PSO does.  Units and Career Managers have a vested interest in retaining their TES people and therefore are not as likely to be unbiased in their "assessment" of your suitability for OT.  Don't take it (or react to it) personally.  Part of the game.  The CO gets to make a recommendation, not the decision (Selection Boards).

- make sure you meet the pre-req's IAW Reg Frce NCM OT policy (CFAO 11-12) and whatever specifics are detailed in the AVOTP message, etc for your MOC.  BPSO will determine if you meet CFAT requirements, etc.

- do everything you can to make your PSO interview successful.  talk to a Steward, even if only by email.  Talk to more than 1 if you can; a LS, a MS, PO2, etc.  Ask them intelligent questions.  Think of the PSO interview as a job interview.  When I did mine, Dress of the Day was the standard but I went 3B.  Research the trade and be ready to tell the PSO why you want to OT and how it benefits (1) the CF and (2) you as the member.  IMO, one of the most important documents that will be part of it that you can influence directly is the PSO report from your interview.

FWIW, my CofC didn't support my OT application (I was in a Pri 4 unit and CMgr told my CofC no replacement would be posted in....).  My CO signed off my application saying I wasn't eligible for OT (bad info he was given by others in my unit.  It was not true and a phone call from the BPSO fixed that).  Despite all of the posturing from my CofC and CMgr, my file went forward and several months later I received my VOT offer.

 

[GreenMarine]

Small update did my Part 3 (Medical) no issues. It's was for me a short appointment where the Doctor reads off some files to comfirm you current med cat score and compairs it to your current score and that of your current job.

In my case I hold higher then required and Steward is one less point than Supply.

Next stop PSO part 4...

I contacted some stewards i know to prep myself and will continue picking their heads on stuff that isn't general knowledge or googlable....I'm looking for personal experiences I guess.


A burning question I have ( I haven't found what I'm looking for via my own resreach) is related to family law: Child Custody, and moving out of province to another....I my case We have permission to be where we are by having something in  writing, with the chance that we maybe moving I'm thinking the other parent may hold up any posting by resricting where the kids are allowed.

Should this happen what would the CF do about a member with a child who can't be moved with the member. I'm I going to get a hard time, would this sink my OT when I cant take to the kid East or would I just go on training first and then return to the family in when training is complete?

 

[PMedMoe]

A burning question I have ( I haven't found what I'm looking for via my own resreach) is related to family law: Child Custody, and moving out of province to another....I my case We have permission to be where we are by having something in  writing, with the chance that we maybe moving I'm thinking the other parent may hold up any posting by resricting where the kids are allowed.

Should this happen what would the CF do about a member with a child who can't be moved with the member. I'm I going to get a hard time, would this sink my OT when I cant take to the kid East or would I just go on training first and then return to the family in when training is complete?

Here's what I think you are saying:  You or your current spouse/common-law/other half has a child with another person.  Between you (or your spouse) and the other parent, there is a written agreement that the child will remain in the province they (and all of you) currently reside in.

Am I with you so far?

In my opinion, the CF may or may not take that into consideration.  I've known several people with the same type of agreement who were posted regardless of where the child could reside.  If the child is yours, you may have a better argument.  Otherwise, you may see yourself being posted IR.

 

[GreenMarine]

Thanks  PMedMoe your bang on the money.  The main child in question is a Step Child (half sibling) to my personal children.
I dont have a direct say on the custody issues. Orginal Province is BC, written permission was given to take the Child to Alberta but not any other Province. 

IR in my mind is the next best option. 

 

[PMedMoe]

Or, with any luck, you get posted to B.C. 

 

[GreenMarine]

So yesturday out of the blue my WO emails me asking me to fill out a section to the best of my abililty on the Referral Form Personnel selection office, prior to a sit down and chat.

On further review it's the SUPERVISING OFFICER’S ASSESSMENT Section, to which my WO is the Supervising Officer?

I understand filling in a brag sheet, and being honest with my own weaknesses, but this jsut seems like to much of a red flag for me, given that he doesn't support my OT. I dont want to give him more ammo to shoot me down later.

As i'm busy on duty I was able to delay filling it out for a week.

Any-ones thoughts?  As this just doesn't feel right.

 

[DAA]

So yesturday out of the blue my WO emails me asking me to fill out a section to the best of my abililty on the Referral Form Personnel selection office, prior to a sit down and chat.
On further review it's the SUPERVISING OFFICER’S ASSESSMENT Section, to which my WO is the Supervising Officer?
I understand filling in a brag sheet, and being honest with my own weaknesses, but this jsut seems like to much of a red flag for me, given that he doesn't support my OT. I dont want to give him more ammo to shoot me down later.
As i'm busy on duty I was able to delay filling it out for a week.
Any-ones thoughts?  As this just doesn't feel right.

Maybe this could be your big chance?  Even though you say he may not support it, he just might support what you write down and sign off on it.  Now is not the time to acknowledge weaknesses, now is the time to acknowledge strengths.  Nothing wrong with using your previous PERs to help you along in writing it.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

So yesturday out of the blue my WO emails me asking me to fill out a section to the best of my abililty on the Referral Form Personnel selection office, prior to a sit down and chat.

On further review it's the SUPERVISING OFFICER’S ASSESSMENT Section, to which my WO is the Supervising Officer?

I understand filling in a brag sheet, and being honest with my own weaknesses, but this jsut seems like to much of a red flag for me, given that he doesn't support my OT. I dont want to give him more ammo to shoot me down later.

As i'm busy on duty I was able to delay filling it out for a week.

Any-ones thoughts?  As this just doesn't feel right.

Perhaps he meant to give you the Annex B Self Assessment Form.  I had to fill this one out.  My Div O filled out the one you were given.  Might be a simple mistake (assuming the same paperwork is still being used...).

The 2 forms (when I did my OT) were almost identical in format/content so easy to mistakenly think one was the other.

 

[GreenMarine]

So got Ambushed by my CWO yesterday in what was suppost to be just a meet and greet turned out to be a discussion about my OT.

To sum up My CWO said he's not willing to support my OT, and he'll advise the CO to do the same.

The overhead lined out to me is that if I should proceed with a negative recommendation on the CO's part and I'm denied the OT that it will negatively effect future OT attempts.

They want me to retract my OT and wait a year to resubmit.

Honestly I'm at wits end with supply and want a new start.

Sorry if this sound a bit like a rant but It's certainly a potential road block or as my wife put it a threat. I'll like to think it's my CoC trying to test my resolve to see if I would cave in now that the stakes have been raised.

 

[George Wallace]

So got Ambushed by my CWO yesterday in what was suppost to be just a meet and greet turned out to be a discussion about my OT.

To sum up My CWO said he's not willing to support my OT, and he'll advise the CO to do the same.

The overhead lined out to me is that if I should proceed with a negative recommendation on the CO's part and I'm denied the OT that it will negatively effect future OT attempts.

They want me to retract my OT and wait a year to resubmit.

Honestly I'm at wits end with supply and want a new start.

Sorry if this sound a bit like a rant but It's certainly a potential road block or as my wife put it a threat. I'll like to think it's my CoC trying to test my resolve to see if I would cave in now that the stakes have been raised.

Sounds more like both your CWO and CO have risen two or three levels above their competence.  What poor leadership they are showing, by knowingly keeping a disgruntled member in a position.

 

[GreenMarine]

Thank you Goerge Wallace!

My wife said something of the same. As if this OT doesn't go throught my options are limited, I could stay here possibly improve (I dont even care about career progression in supply anymore) or risk breaking up my family, blowing up, rotting in general, etc. (All of which my CoC is aware of as possiblities.)

Requesting a Contengecy move or Releasing.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

I've said it before; my CofC attempted to block my OT in more ways than one.  All they get to do is make a recommendation and it has to be substantiated.  It is not like PSOs and Selection Boards aren't aware units have tried to block OTs in the past.... .  Unit CofC's can't do the PSOs and Selection Boards job for them and, let's face it, no CO / unit really wants to see people leave, the more so if there won't be someone posted in. 

I know I'm already thru the "OT hoop-jumping" but I say proceed if you want your OT.  Feel free to PM if you want to discuss. 

Simply put, ignore the Jedi Mind Tricks. 

 

[GreenMarine]

Thanks Eye in the Sky!

I remember you said that, however it just seems my CoC is pulling out all the stops.

I turned around as "I have the ball in my court" (CWO) and ask my WO which options the unit is willing to support me in. (where can I throw the ball to next.)

He seemed to play ignorant with me on options to the exception of when I'm fully on my feet I'll be farmed out to another unit. I reinforced that the OT can go through and we'll dicuss pulling it at the CO's level (me buying time to gain a more favorable recommendation.) (Miracles happen I hope.) I also informed my civilian supervisor (my only supporter) that the time line is the OT file in Ottawa NLT Feb, Selection boards March, and Notices April/May 2014, to hold off mean 2015.  He seemed to understand that my OT going thru would perhaps be best.

 

[Halifax Tar]

What poor leadership they are showing, by knowingly keeping a disgruntled member in a position.

Not in the Log Branch George!  Never!

On a more serious note GreenMarine are you also looking for an avenue to get back to sea ?  Meaning, besides your family concerns dos this have anything to do with your current posting ?

I only ask as I could see people in our Log Branch not recommending your application as they see you attempting "posting avoidance".  Not saying I agree with them just saying I could see some people in our branch neigh trade playing a card like that.

 

[GreenMarine]

Halifax Tar, I'm currently in Edmonton, so to cover the Posting senario I'm trying to force a posting not advoid one.

Edmonton was fun for the first 6 months, then the wife slipped on ice, kids left to head back to Victoria, extented family passed on....the list goes on.

Again the default chance once I get my VOT is 50/50 West to East...to which I signed the Restricted Release Time/Date today so it does inch closer.

My CO did give away a hint in my talks about dependants, that if I can make a Fiscal claim that it would be cheaper to move the family west should I go East...at the risk of losing entitlement to IR. Like wise I may be able to keep IR if I keep the family temporary in Edmonton if I go East, and then move them at a later time on my dime West.  All factors in it would be locigal for me to go west regardless. However how the math works out in the end may largely be factored by the demands of the CF of course to which I've stated that the posting to Esquimalt is only a perk at this time to keep the focus on getting out of Supply and into Steward.

All the while try to keep working positive and force the smile once in a while.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Halifax Tar, I'm currently in Edmonton, so to cover the Posting senario I'm trying to force a posting not advoid one.

Edmonton was fun for the first 6 months, then the wife slipped on ice, kids left to head back to Victoria, extented family passed on....the list goes on.

Well all the best I hope it all works out for ya. 

 

[GreenMarine]

PSO process for GreenMarine

TSD 0830hrs 09 Jan 14.
There is no preparation required for the TSD.
It is a series of computer questions that ask you questions about your personality.

Interview 0900hrs 09 Jan 14 with PSO.


Oh ya!

 

[Eye In The Sky]

Good stuff.  What is a TSD???

 

[Mudshuvel]

Good stuff.  What is a TSD???

In the context I'm thinking Training & Skills Development. At least that is what New Brunswick and a few other provinces called it when I was job searching a few years back.