I would like to know what are the possibilities for living quarters on a base. I've graduated from high school and plan on entering the forces as a electrical distribution tech and I basically want to know what living will cost. Also I have a girlfriend of 4 years that I will be leaving behind in Waterloo and I want to know what kind of free time I will have to talk to her through various methods. I have heard its like a regular 9 to 5 jobs and weekends off but I very much doubt that. I have tried to ask my cousin who is a Major but the response time is too long to get answers. And lastly what kind of space do you have and what can you bring with you. Specifically electronics (Laptop/xbox which I use to talk to my girlfriend) both myself and her understand the space and strain on the relationship but I just want to know I will be able to regularly talk to her.
Thanks in advance.
There is also the possibility of living in Single Quarters depending on what base you are posted to after your trades training is completed. It's similar to the type of accommodations you see on a course: two to a room with a shared bathroom, laundry facilities on each floor, sometimes a common room where you can set up a t.v or hang out. Often there is a storage area in the basement for your extra kit, bicycles etc.
Single rooms can be harder to come by, and of course cost extra but often you can get on a waiting list to go solo (some places base priority for single rooms on rank and reserve the rooms for Corporals and above). You'd have to check with the base Rations and Quarters where you get posted for current rates as the costs I am familiar with are probably out of date (used to be about $100.00 a month but that is one base 5-6 years ago).
Also good to know that single quarters do not have kitchen facilities as a general rule. Members who are living in can choose to pay for a ration card to use at the mess hall and there are various meal plans available. I think they run between 300.00-400.00 but again, you would want to check for current rate info with the base. I have a few friends that managed with microwaves and such to save the cost of a ration card and avoid the set meal times of the mess hall, but technically you are not supposed to cook in quarters and the barracks warden does do the occasional inspection to check for cleanliness and damage to the rooms.
I also wanted to mention that I recall a program where once a year (at Christmas) members are entitled to assistance in returning to their next of kin for a visit via service flights. These are free flights to various points across Canada. They are not exactly a piece of cake to get a seat on, but worth sending up an application if there is a fight that fits your needs. Message usually comes out in the fall and applications are first come first serve so you have to keep your eyes open for when the dates/locations are released in routine orders (your orderly room will know about this stuff when you need help).
Good luck getting started! It's good to see you are planning ahead, I have seen more than a few guys mismanage their pay to the point that they had to go the bankruptcy route.
