GENERAL CBSA APPLICANT CHIT CHAT

[Nav23]

Hello all,

Congratulations to all fellows who made it to Riguad for August and September.

For any of you who were in Riguad or if anyone can share their experience on how difficult the training is at the college. One thing I am worried about is shooting. I have not till date handled a gun so I am a bit nervous. Should I get some training before heading there?

Are there any other things that I will need to prepare for before going to the college? Any advice is appreciated.

I would actually advise against getting any firearms training beforehand. Trainers like an enthusiastic and trainable newby. The majority of people I trained with had no previous experience at all and they all passed. A couple of them became really outstanding shots in a short period of time. (Although there is far more to it than tight groupings on the paper) This was back during the arming initiative which ran from 2006 to 2016 where existing BSOs took a 3-4 week duty firearms course to qualify. This was not a condition of employment when they (including me) were hired. Some were in their 50s and I had an officer on my course who was over 60. Most had never touched a firearm and nearly all passed.

I think many recruits worry far too much about it. This is a skill that anyone can learn and become proficient at.

I'm not going to get into specifics but some of what we do as far as handling may not be familiar for many range shooters who have not trained with a holster. It's easier to learn new habits than to break old ones.

Now if you know someone who can take you to a range for an hour to get over the jitters of taking your first shot and get comfortable, that might be helpful mentally. But if you don't have that opportunity easily available to you I wouldn't worry about it. There will be plenty of others in the same boat and nearly all will do just fine.

Thank you so much for taking the time to advise with this.

I agree that I shouldn't get any prior training and the instructor who taught me the firearms courses also said the same thing. As you said, I just want to get the fear of taking the first shot out from my system before I start the real training.

I am looking forward to this aspect of training as well. My PARE practice took a big chunk from my timeline but it still seems in line with the 18-month process so I am not worried. Hopefully I will be able to make maximum use of the resources available to me during training.
Thank you again for your advice on this.

[Ziggy Stardust]

The course and the instructors are absolutely top notch. It is the best run training I've had in my career and also the most enjoyable. It is certainly very challenging but the instructors will get you through it.

Best wishes!

[Kingabduuu]

Question for any previous BSOs who been to Rigaud for training. Does the CBSA make applicants re-run the PARE during your training at the college. Reason I am asking is because i am aware that the RCMP does in depot and that you have to beat your previous run time.

[Nav23]

The course and the instructors are absolutely top notch. It is the best run training I've had in my career and also the most enjoyable. It is certainly very challenging but the instructors will get you through it.

Best wishes!

Thank you so much for your insight. I really appreciate it. I am very excited to start on this career path.

[Nav23]

Question for any previous BSOs who been to Rigaud for training. Does the CBSA make applicants re-run the PARE during your training at the college. Reason I am asking is because i am aware that the RCMP does in depot and that you have to beat your previous run time.

I would also like to know this. Someone previously mentioned in a post that it is not done again but I am not sure.

[Raphael]

Question for any previous BSOs who been to Rigaud for training. Does the CBSA make applicants re-run the PARE during your training at the college. Reason I am asking is because i am aware that the RCMP does in depot and that you have to beat your previous run time.

No. There is no PARE test in Rigaud!

[newton2022]

Hey everyone!
I’m just wondering if anyone else got the availability confirmation email today too?
Is this a general email they send out to people who are OITP ready? I’m still waiting for my security clearance, and haven’t had my integrity interview yet either, so I’m not sure why I was included.

[jaykey]

Hey everyone!
I’m just wondering if anyone else got the availability confirmation email today too?
Is this a general email they send out to people who are OITP ready? I’m still waiting for my security clearance, and haven’t had my integrity interview yet either, so I’m not sure why I was included.

I got my availability request yesterday for Oct 02nd, but I am also waiting for my clearance. I have already done the Integrity interview though.

[Mikezel381]

Hey everyone!
I’m just wondering if anyone else got the availability confirmation email today too?
Is this a general email they send out to people who are OITP ready? I’m still waiting for my security clearance, and haven’t had my integrity interview yet either, so I’m not sure why I was included.

I got my availability request yesterday for Oct 02nd, but I am also waiting for my clearance. I have already done the Integrity interview though.

Nice! Congrats.

Do they specify in this availability email what location you would be assigned to?

[seekerbeta]

Question for any previous BSOs who been to Rigaud for training. Does the CBSA make applicants re-run the PARE during your training at the college. Reason I am asking is because i am aware that the RCMP does in depot and that you have to beat your previous run time.

they made us in wave 7 re run the pare, but it was only as a gauge and had no bearing on progress in the college, was more to gauge how the personal trainers were doing

[jaykey]

Hey everyone!
I’m just wondering if anyone else got the availability confirmation email today too?
Is this a general email they send out to people who are OITP ready? I’m still waiting for my security clearance, and haven’t had my integrity interview yet either, so I’m not sure why I was included.

I got my availability request yesterday for Oct 02nd, but I am also waiting for my clearance. I have already done the Integrity interview though.

Nice! Congrats.

Do they specify in this availability email what location you would be assigned to?

Not on availability one, they are just doing a survey of who will be available & which language (English/French), if they put the training for x date, so that they can plan properly. Once you are selected for that training date, that's when you will receive the location selection and later the invitation to start the training.

[Mike2453]

Hey everyone!
I’m just wondering if anyone else got the availability confirmation email today too?
Is this a general email they send out to people who are OITP ready? I’m still waiting for my security clearance, and haven’t had my integrity interview yet either, so I’m not sure why I was included.

I got my availability request yesterday for Oct 02nd, but I am also waiting for my clearance. I have already done the Integrity interview though.

Ya I did my interview in May and still waiting for my clearance to be granted. No invite yet either.

[DavidSPumpkins]

No availability email sent to me. Im 008 pool and still waiting for my security clearance and integrity interview as well. I live in the prairies and suspect I’ll be invited for January OITP.

Good luck!

[Heyhey123]

Anyone know when they send offers for October start (OITP/Rigaud)?
I got the availability email August 14th.
Was hoping to give my 2 months notice of my rental If I get into the October class.

[BSOJOE]

Anyone know when they send offers for October start (OITP/Rigaud)?
I got the availability email August 14th.
Was hoping to give my 2 months notice of my rental If I get into the October class.

I just emailed them to ask about this. I got an availability email on august 2nd for august 21st but no invite, now people are getting them for October and I didn’t.