Infantry Officer

As a member of the military, an Infantry Officer performs a wide range of duties, from commanding and leading soldiers as part of a team to occupying various staff positions involving planning, training, intelligence, logistics, and personnel administration.

As commissioned members of Canada’s Infantry regiments, which belong to the Combat Arms, Infantry Officers are capable of operating anywhere in the world, in any environment including Arctic tundra, mountains, jungle, or desert and in any combination of arms, including parachute, airmobile, and amphibious operations. The primary role of Infantry during operations is to be involved in combat.

Infantry Officers experience the unique challenges of working outdoors in various weather conditions. When not in the field, Infantry Officers are responsible for garrison duties, which include physical training, office work and supervision, mixed with instructing staff and outdoor field and weapons training. Office work is focused on personnel administration and maintenance of weapons, equipment, and vehicles. These duties usually occur during regular working hours.

Infantry Officers will be posted initially to one of three regiments:

1. The Royal Canadian Regiment in Petawawa, Ontario or Gagetown, New Brunswick;
2. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton, Alberta or Shilo, Manitoba;
3. The Royal 22e Régiment in Valcartier, Quebec City, Laval, or Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec.

If you choose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part-time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Infantry Officers in the Canadian Armed Forces are the first boots on the ground for military operations around the world. From raids and ambushes to security and stabilization missions, Infantry Officers have an exciting job. The role of the infantry is “to close with and destroy the enemy” but it’s much more than that. It’s the infantry that takes and holds ground on the modern battlefield, as part of a combined arms team including Armour, Artillery, and Engineers.

The Army has a proud heritage in Canada and abroad, having accomplished many battle honours. A regimental cap badge is a symbol and source of pride, of belonging to a storied regiment that can be more than 100 years old. This sense of history and pride is embodied in every Infantry Officer and regiment across Canada.

Upon completion of their army phase training, Infantry Officers in the Regular Force are posted to a battalion at one of Canada’s major bases and assume command of a platoon of 30 to 40 soldiers. Reservists return to their hometown regiment after their training and also assume a leadership role.

Fitness, mental resiliency, and the will to fight are some of the top skills for Infantry Officers, who can expect to be challenged and tested in every endeavour.

If you already have a university degree, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned.