FAQs

The minimum criteria to join:
– be a Canadian citizen
– be at least 18 years old — you may be 16 years old (with parental consent) and must be enrolled as a full-time student
– have completed at least Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Québec (some jobs need higher levels of education)

You can submit your application even if you are not sure about the job-specific requirements. Once we get your application, we’ll work with you to determine if you qualify. If you have questions at any time throughout the process you can e-mail or speak to our unit recruiter.

As a recruit, your pay will be approximately $100 a day. After about two years of training you pay rate will increase to about $150 a day.

Your pay (after tax) will be automatically deposited to your bank account.

The Army Reserve offers an array of employment benefits, including bonuses, money for college, student loan repayment and low-cost health and life insurance.

Click the button below to contact or recruiting team.

Alternatively, you can apply directly to the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre and tell them you want to join the 48th Highlanders.

Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) is completed on weekends in Toronto, starting in the fall and ending in spring.

After that, you must complete the Basic Infantry course. This is a full-time course only run during the summer months (July-August) for 6-7 weeks usually in Meaford, ON.

Basic training provides the knowledge that is common to all trades and elements, develops a military state of mind and behavior, the mental and physical endurance and, the combat skills necessary for the profession of arms. The training is physically, mentally and morally demanding and lays its foundation on the fundamental values of the 48th Highlanders: Duty, Loyalty, Integrity and Courage.

The course is composed of classroom training with written exams; field training with practical tests; and physical training.

After completing your Infantry courses, you will return to the unit and be placed into training with your peers in the regiment. From there you will be able to continue training as a qualified Infantry soldier: gaining more skills and experience, more exciting and challenging courses, and attend more exercises and deployments.

Courses include:

• Machine Gunner
• Reconnaissance
• Close Quarter Combat
• Radio Communications
• Demolitions
• Winter warfare
• and more.

Service in the Reserve Force is completely voluntary and does not involve a set Term of Service.

However you are expected at a minimum to train one night a week and one weekend a month during the training year (September – June)

We train on Friday evenings from 1830 hrs (6:30 pm) to 2230 hrs (10:30 pm).

No. Members of the Reserves Force are not required to go on a deployment. However, Reservists have the option to volunteer for deployments if they would like to take part in emergency mobilizations in Canada or in overseas operations. If a Reservist accepts a deployment, he or she has to complete the mission.

Primary Reservists who voluntarily apply and are selected for an international deployment are generally sent to support Regular Force capabilities. Reservists have participated in international operations in the Balkans, the Middle East and Africa, and in humanitarian crises such as in Haiti and the Philippines.

Reservists who are deploying on operations or attending annual or military skills training may require assistance in dealing with their employer or educational institution for time away from work or studies. The reservist’s first point of contact is always their Chain of Command, and then their Reserve Unit’s Military Leave Representative.

There are two programs to support their deployment:

• the Reservist Assistance program (RAP) https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/reservist-assistance-program.html, and
• the Compensation for Employers of Reservist Program (CERP) https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/compensation-employers-reservists-program.html.

High standards of dress and grooming are universally recognized as marks of a well-trained, disciplined and professional military force. The 48th Highlanders uniform is an outward symbol of what the Highlanders are and the values we represent. It is a powerful visual expression of national and Regimental pride, and it is the primary means of creating a public image for the Forces. Members of the Reserve Force are only required to wear the uniform when they are:

•  on duty
• travelling to or from a place of duty, or
• attending a Canadian Armed Forces function or ceremony

Although most soldiers in the 48th are classified as infantry, we also offer a few other trades:

• Human Resources Administrator
• Financial Services Administrator
• Piper
• Drummer