Starting this year, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members will wear the poppy on all uniforms from October 24 to November 11, aligning with changes in the Royal Canadian Legion’s National Poppy Campaign. Previously, CAF members began wearing the poppy on the last Friday in October. The Canadian Forces Dress Instructions will be updated to reflect the change.

The October 24 start date will provide a consistent national period for remembrance activities in support of Veterans and their families. Wearing the poppy remains a visible symbol of remembrance and reflects the CAF’s respect for Canada’s fallen, Veterans, and all those who have served.

The CAF recognizes and values the Royal Canadian Legion's longstanding leadership in preserving Canada's traditions of remembrance. Through the National Poppy Campaign and its support for Veterans, serving members, and their families, the Legion plays an important role in remembrance across Canada.

Members are encouraged to review the detailed guidance and visual representation on wearing a poppy on a CAF uniform in the Dress instructions | Section 7 Accoutrements.

I sincerely hope whatever the equivalent to the old CFAT and CF EXPRESS are now, they filter out some of these kids who think being good "forth-knight" players qualifies them to apply.

First time getting this, what can I expect when going in store? I’ve heard the better the brand, the lower the discount. True?

Didn’t know we had Canadians in the Australian refueller squadron, and that they wear Australian flight suits

Navy guy, clueless about boots.

There's lots of recommendations on here, but I'm wondering if there's something specific I should look for given the location and time of year?

Hi guys!

I will be going on my PLQ soonish and was wondering what is mod 2 and mod 3. Heard about it but i don’t know what the difference between them.

Kinda stress about this courses and if anyone has some tips and tricks i will gladly take them!

Thanks :)

Hi everyone!

I’m currently a fully qualified HRA in the PRes and recently received an offer to CT into the Reg F as a Training Development Officer (TDO).

I recently completed my B.Ed and have been working as a teacher. I’m excited about the opportunity, but before committing to a potentially six-year contract, I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have experience in the occupation.

A few things I’m curious about:

Day-to-day: What does a typical week look like? Does the work vary significantly between postings?

Work-life balance: How often are you working evenings, travelling, or bringing work home?

Training: What should I expect from OJE and occupational training? I still need BMOQ Mod 2.

Postings: How frequently do TDOs move, and what locations are most common?

Career satisfaction: What do you enjoy most about the trade, and what do you wish you’d known before joining?

I’m also in a service couple (my spouse is Reg F), so I’d love to hear how others have navigated postings and career progression together.

Finally, I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone who transitioned from teaching into TDO.

Do you feel your education background is being put to good use? Are you happy you made the switch?

I’m trying to weigh this opportunity against continuing my civilian teaching career, so any honest insight would be appreciated!

Happy to chat in the comments or through DMs. Thanks in advance!

Bonjour.

I had surgery 7 months ago for a hernia. It seems that it has come back. My doctor after the first one, medically cleared me as did the MIR and base hospital. I did force test, deployed and all that fun stuff.

Hypothetically, as this will be possibly for my 2nd TCat for the same problem, is this an automatic red flag to the powers to be in Ottawa and possibly a medical release??

I looked it up and a reoccurence this early is more a fault of the surgeon then me (ie the mesh didn't hold or it shifted, literally nothing I can do or did).

Thanks

I hear some pretty disturbing stories since the summer change of command for NCMs - CFSCE you do realize that there are many critical trades that are in the red and the way that students are being treated needs a reset. There is a term “Lead by Example” and abusing one’s authority is not considered a part of that ethos. Given that shortages are occurring in critical trades such as those being taught there it’s more important than ever to treat all peoples with the dignity and respect they deserve, considering that you may want these new members to stick around after such a large investment in them. Most importantly, the Code of Conduct is a thing.

Many are eligible for the step incentives of $50,000 per CANFORGEN 018/26 — “Critical Occupations Designation List – Critical Occupation Recruitment Allowance (CORA)”.

Let me get to it: The $50,000 Recruiting Allowance, includes:
$10,000 upon successful completion of Basic Military Qualification (Graduates after Nov 1, 2025)
$20,000 upon achieving Trained Status
$20,000 after six years of continuous Regular Force service, with a further 36-month commitment. 

Issue: Despite meeting all eligibility requirements for the initial $10,000 Critical Occupation Recruitment Allowance (CORA), eligible students are consistently being denied administrative support to obtain the “one” necessary officer signature on their paperwork so the funds can be processed by the BOR into their accounts. Non-commissioned staff (Sergeants or above) appear to have been consistently turning these students away for months and months so they have no possible way towards getting that golden signature to have that money paid to them. Now how many service members would be unhappy if they were getting the runaround and had $10k within reach? Given the economic situation, students on low salaries with families to feed and bills to pay how many service members would agree with what is happening at CFSCE? None…

Because students fear reprisal, threats of unwanted postings and career repercussions, if they bypass their chain of command and go to the Padre for example, they have no clear avenue to resolve this unfair handling of their basic administrative rights. This persistent refusal to process valid administrative requests reflects a failure of duty of care and an unacceptable barrier to authorized financial support.There is clear abuse of authority, bias against eligible students and proven mishandling of the students basic requests. 
It is improbable that the Commandant, LCol Amir ElMasry, is aware that administrative delays causing financial hardship are occurring within the lower levels of the chain of command at CFSCE.

My question is why? Is this right? Who can resolve such an important matter?

At a time when the Canadian Armed Forces is actively working to “clean up its act” recruit and retain personnel in critical occupations, creating financial barriers for new members severely damages morale and retention ratios. Unfairly withholding earned entitlements, especially $10,0000,  undermines strong leadership values and fails to demonstrate the support troops deserve. In my opinion this is not the way to handle things in 2026, some of the newest “leaders” (and I say that loosely) at the school need to understand that and start to rectify wrongs before this goes further.

Let me clear, I am not a student and not affiliated with the school in any way so don’t go on a witch hunt- people are talking about this, the world is small thanks to social media and people are suffering. I am seeing myself as Robin Hood- Retired:) providing a voice for those who are terrified. Right these wrongs.

Refs:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/benefits-military/pay-pension-benefits/pay/updates-improvements-to-compensation-and-benefits-for-the-canadian-armed-forces.html

Effective November 1, 2025, the Critical Occupation Recruitment Allowance applies to new recruits in Non-Commissioned Member trades where trained strength is below 76% of authorized levels.