How to become a commissioned officer of the Canadian Armed Forces
Official title: Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces
Also called: Officer cadet, Armour officer, Infantry officer, Artillery officer, Captain - canadian army, Air combat systems officer, Lieutenant - canadian army, Captain - royal canadian navy, Lieutenant - royal canadian navy, Captain - royal canadian air force, Lieutenant - royal canadian air force, Admiral
Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces plan, organize, command, direct, control and evaluate, the operations of their organization in relation to established objectives. Senior commissioned officers formulate military and strategic policies which establish the direction to be taken by the Canadian Forces. All ranks of commissioned officers in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Navy are included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Allocate material, human and financial resources to implement military policies and programs, establish administrative controls, and approve overall personnel planning
- Plan, organize and command the activities of the Canadian Armed Forces combat units and military strategic units in the Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Royal Canadian Navy at home and when deployed overseas during operations in conflict territory
- Plan, organize and command units engaged in non-military disaster relief, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations at the national and international level
- Set objectives of the organization in accordance with legislation and government policy, formulate or approve and evaluate programs and procedures, alone or in collaboration with senior government committees
- Coordinate the work of various military strategic units employing appropriate levels of military force for specific tasks
- Develop and implement military procedures and policies that are geared to the capabilities and performance of each unit
How to become one
A university degree is usually required. Completion of military training is required. Experience as a non-commissioned member of the armed forces and demonstrated leadership ability may substitute for a university degree. Senior ranks, such as colonel, require several years of experience.
Ways in
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 15 universities in Canada
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $107,309 a year
Related jobs
- Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services
- Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
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Questions people ask
How do I become a commissioned officer of the Canadian Armed Forces?
A university degree is usually required. Completion of military training is required. Experience as a non-commissioned member of the armed forces and demonstrated leadership ability may substitute for a university degree. Senior ranks, such as colonel, require several years of experience.
How much does a commissioned officer of the Canadian Armed Forces earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $107,309 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)).
Do you need a degree to become a commissioned officer of the Canadian Armed Forces?
Usually. 70% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03