Naval Experience Program | Questions and Answers

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has launched a new recruitment program to give Canadians the opportunity to experience the Navy and expose them to a variety of naval trades before deciding if a career in the Navy is the right fit for them. 

General 

What is the Naval Experience Program?

The Naval Experience Program (NEP) is a one-year contract with the RCN. It’s for students looking for a “gap year,” or those looking to try a career with the RCN but are unsure of making a long commitment. Following a streamlined recruitment process, an 8-week basic military training and a 4-week naval environment training, participants will join the fleet on either coast. Over the course of several months they will learn the ropes while shadowing a variety of jobs and gaining exposure to a number of skills. Program participants will also get the chance to go to sea for several weeks on board a ship. This will include time at sea, time working alongside in Esquimalt B.C. or Halifax N.S., and potentially foreign port visits. After their one-year contract, participants may continue to serve with the RCN, either full-time or part-time, or they may decide that the RCN isn’t for them, and walk away with a better understanding of the Navy and a unique job experience that will hopefully help them in their future endeavors. For those who decide to stay, they’ll choose a trade with the guidance and support from trade specialists and Personnel Selection Officers. 

Why is the RCN introducing this program?

The Navy, like the rest of the Canadian Armed Forces, has been challenged over the past few years to recruit, train, and retain diverse Canadian talent. Consequently the Navy is rethinking the way we recruit. The aim is to reduce the amount of time it takes to turn civilians into sailors, and ensure that those who choose to stay and serve with the RCN find jobs they love.  

What is so different about this program?

One of the many benefits of this program is to allow naval participants to make an informed decision about their career in the Navy. Previously all naval recruits had to pick a trade and then went through training without knowing if the occupation was ideally suited to their interests and aspirations or if the Navy was the right fit for them. Those who are confident in their choices can still join through the existing entry plans, but for those who aren't the NEP will give participants the tools, guidance, and opportunities they need to make an informed decision about their choice of job. Personal and professional agency when it comes to their career will not only help naval participants ensure their best fit, it will also help them find a job they can turn into a career.  

At the same time, the NEP will allow the Navy to assess participants’ suitability with the Canadian Armed Forces Ethos and the RCN Code of Conduct. Potential recruits will now be able to sign up at their local Naval Reserve Units where they can interact with sailors directly before choosing the RCN. 

Why should someone apply to the Naval Experience Program?

The NEP will provide participants the opportunity to experience the Navy with no strings attached. Participants will get to see that the Navy has a lot to offer: stability and job security, one of the highest compensation and benefits packages of all militaries in the world, paid education and training, lifelong friendships, adventure, advancement, self and professional development opportunities, and of course, the chance to serve Canada and Canadians contributing to global security. 

What trades will participants gain exposure to? 

Participants will have the opportunity to job shadow Navy Non-commissioned Member (NCM) occupations. There are many occupations to consider, including Boatswain, Marine Technician, Naval Communicator, Weapons Engineering Technician, Sonar Operator, Naval Combat Information Operator, and more. Throughout the program sailors will meet with career managers and Personnel Selection Officers to help them through the process of choosing a trade. 

Participants get to experience each job and gain exposure to a number of skills. 

If someone is enrolled under the NEP, could you please confirm there will be three choices on completion of the NEP year: Regular Force, Reserve Force, or Voluntary Release?

Yes, the NEP program is here to give the member a taste of the Naval Experience. Before the end of their one-year Term of Service they will be able to, with the help of trained support staff, apply for a trade they qualify for in either the Regular or Reserve Force or leave the CAF. 

Is there an age limit?

The NEP is open to Canadians and Permanent Residents ages 16-57 years of age. Applicants under 18 will need permission from their parent or guardian when they enroll.  This adventure is open to those with at least Grade 10 completed or 24 credits of Secondary IV (Quebec). 

How are occupations chosen at the end of the Naval Experience Program?

Participants of the NEP will work with Personnel Selection Officers at various points throughout their one-year contract to choose a trade that best fits both the member and the Navy. Each person will still need to meet the basic requirements for a chosen trade. 

Can participants choose a non-Navy trade at the end of the Naval Experience Program? 

At the end of their year, if candidates do not wish to continue with a career in the Navy, they can alternatively apply to Army or Air Force occupations, but the Royal Canadian Navy cannot guarantee career opportunities under other service commands. 

What will the “at-sea” portion entail? 

As part of the program, participants will go to sea and get a small taste of the adventure that can be found in a naval career. They’ll join a ship and sail with the crew for several weeks and potentially visit foreign port, getting an insider’s perspective of a ship at sea. Where that will be will depend entirely on the ships’ operational schedule, but no matter what, participants will get a first-hand look at what it means to see the world while serving a greater cause. 

Where will participants live while they’re in the program? What about meals? 

NEP participants will be housed in available Base Accommodations buildings at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax and CFB Esquimalt. As well, all untrained (pre-Occupation Functional Point) personnel who live in Base Accommodations will be provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in accordance with CANFORGEN 180/22, in one of the base galleys. 

Will participants get to bring their Next of Kin with them? 

New enrollees in the Canadian Armed Forces, and subsequently the Royal Canadian Navy, are brought in under a Restricted posting status, which means that their Next of Kin (NOK) and their Household Goods and Effects (HG&E) remain at their residence/place of enrollment. Once your operationally functional point (OFP) is reached, the career manager will post member(s) on Prohibited status (which is a normal posting despite the name), which includes a full-cost relocation where the member is reunited with NOK and their HG&E. 

How many Naval Experience Program serials will there be each year?

It will operate on a continuous enrollment model, and therefore will not have defined serials. 

Does the time spent in Naval Experience Program go towards a military pension if I decide on a career in the Canadian Armed Forces?

Yes, upon completing 6 months of training all time served counts as time in the Canadian Forces. Read more: QR&O: Volume I - Chapter 6 Enrollment and Re-Engagement - Canada.ca 

Application/Enrollment Process 

Will this program run alongside our traditional enrollment/recruitment programs?

Yes. The traditional paths are there for applicants who already know what program/occupation they would like to join. However, for those who have been thinking about joining the Navy but are not sure it it’s the right fit or about making a long commitment, the NEP will give participants the tools, guidance, and opportunities they need to make an informed decision about their choice of job. Personal and professional agency when it comes to their career will not only help naval participants ensure their best fit, it will also help them find a job they can turn into a career. 

Do participants get to choose which coast they go to during and after completing Naval Experience Program?

Participants will complete the program in their preferred location (Esquimalt, B.C. or Halifax, N.S.). After completing the NEP, if choosing to stay in the RCN, a trade will be offered. Each trade is trained at specific locations. After completing this training, the RCN will attempt to place sailors on their preferred coast depending on functional requirements. 

Where will participants do basic training and how long before participants go to basic training after applying to Naval Experience Program?

Currently, participants will complete their basic training in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Each applicant who receives an offer to the program will go on basic training at a date agreed to between the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group and the applicant. This is the same process for all applicants to the Canadian Armed Forces. 

What happens if I want to leave the program early? 

For a Voluntary Release, the Release Administrator supports your Chain of Command by reviewing your terms of serviceand service obligations, then recommends a release date and a release item to the Release Authority for their approval. However, travel costs from the West or East coast back home may not be covered in this case. Ref: My Transition Guide (canada.ca) 

Will there be more than one path in the program (i.e. one for officers, one for trades)?

At this time participation for this program will be for enlisted members. As the program grows and evolves the RCN will look at whether or not expanding the NEP or creating a similar program for naval officer trades is a practical and viable option. Opportunities will be available for those who decide early (before program completion) that they would like to switch to an officer trade, meet the right criteria, they will be counseled on the process to transfer to that occupation. 

What if after taking the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test, I am disqualified from certain trades? 

If you are unsuccessful in your first attempt at the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT), or if your results did not qualify you for the specific trade(s) that you are interested in, you may request to rewrite the test after a minimum period of one month from the date of your initial test. For a third (and final) attempt at the test, you must provide proof that you have successfully completed an academic course related to CFAT performance at the secondary school level since your previous attempt. Read more: Help Centre | Canadian Armed Forces 

Does the streamlined enrollment process apply to Permanent Residents?

The Director General Defence Security (DGDS) has assessed that the recruitment of permanent residents will require a more intensive security screening process. The majority of permanent resident applicants will require a pre-assessment security clearance to determine their eligibility. These additional screening requirements will require more time and resources. 

What might delay a file from progressing once someone applies to Naval Experience Program?

In cases where additional information is required in order to determine eligibility for enrollment, the timeline may be extended. 

There are a number of things that could delay or exclude a file when applying for this program. Some examples include if you have been outside of Canada for an extended period in the last five years or if you have ongoing, significant medical treatment. Each file will be assessed on a case-by-case basis for eligibility and suitability for the NEP.