This is really happening! 23 years after being medically rejected, I get to live my DREAM OF ALL DREAMS!
I thought this day would never come - the last 48 hours have been a whirlwind and it still doesn't feel real. My little plan to join the army reserves after graduating from high school and Air Cadets took a few wrong turns but I've finally arrived! This is my timeline:
Attempt 1:
Preferred trade: Infantry Soldier (Reserve)
Application submitted: December 12, 2001
First contact by CFRC: January 2002
CFAT, medical, interview: March 2002
Fitness test: June 2002
Application rejected: August 13, 2002 (medical, peanut allergy). Told my application could be reconsidered if an EpiPen was no longer required and there were no other restrictions.
Attempt 2:
Preferred trade: Combat Engineer (Reserve)
Application submitted: March 11, 2025
Transcripts and ID submitted: April 16, 2025 (had to scrounge up official copies from out of province)
First contact by unit: May 8, 2025
Scored Employment Application Form: May 8, 2025
Medical: May 15, 2025
Ophthalmologist report on LASIK submitted: June 6, 2025 (had it done 13 years ago)
Fasting glucose/lipids and ECG: June 24, 2025 (for applicants over age 40)
FORCE Test: July 25, 2025
Interview: August 15, 2025
Oral food challenge for peanuts and sign off from Allergist: September 3, 2025
File submitted to RMO: September 11, 2025
Security and Background Checks: October 6, 2025
Selection: November 19, 2025
Job Offer: November 26, 2025
Enrolment: November 27, 2025
BMQ Date: January 9, 2026 (weekends)
Quite a ride, huh? To those of you who sail through the medical process with pristine-clean histories, you have no idea how fortunate you are. You might think you do, but you don't.
For me, getting hired by the CAF after the first rejection and overcoming a lifelong peanut allergy is everything. Literally. It just feels so right; so completely and utterly earned. I can't make up for lost time, but I get to completely rewrite the ending to this story and I can accept whatever happens because it's all house money, now and forever.
I harbour no illusions; the training will be difficult and will be especially tough for a 41-year-old. But I think about the way I was when I first applied - a 17-year-old wise guy with a big mouth who'd never even held a job and was just barely treading water in university. It most likely would have been too much for me. Over these last two decades, I believe I've developed enough mental resilience to face what's ahead of me, and I've never been injury prone either, despite being very physically active. Maybe with a little luck and a lot of hard work and effort, the pieces will fall into place. I will give it my very best.
Thank you to everyone who contributes to this sub for all the helpful advice along the way. To those of you who weren't blessed with an easy path: if this is more than just a vague ambition, if you are absolutely determined to make this happen, have patience, never give up, and never stop wanting it. You can overcome the obstacles and get over that wall, even if it takes a lifetime. Don't stop running toward your dream.
Easy part's over. Now the real work begins.
Posted Nov 28, 2025, 5:43 PM UTC