Canadian Navy offers ‘no strings attached’ program amid recruitment woes 

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can join the Navy on a year-long contract – either full-time or part-time – and then leave if they wish to after that.

The Navy is offering a one-year trial period for Canadians to join with “no strings attached” as it faces a major recruitment challenge and unprecedented personnel shortage.

Under the new program launched Friday, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can join the Navy on a year-long contract – either full-time or part-time – and then leave if they wish to after that.

Those who decide to stay on will be transferred to a naval trade.

Applications are open to people aged 16 to 57 years.

New recruits will undergo an eight-week basic military training and naval environmental training, in either Halifax, N.S., or Esquimalt, B.C., according to a media release by the Royal Canadian Navy.

“Life in the Navy can be demanding and challenging at times – it is not for everyone and that’s why the new Naval Experience Program gives participants the chance to experience life in the Navy, for one year, no strings attached,” said navy commander Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, in a statement.

The salary will be equivalent to entry-level positions within the private sector, with paid rations and quarters, the RCN said.

The Canadian Armed Forces are in the midst of a recruiting crisis, with officials admitting that the number of applicants coming forward each month is about half what the military needs to meet its targets.