MARS officer on submarines

[Fergie]

    Hello all,

after reading around the forum/online sources I am hoping to get a general feel of the likelihood of being posted to a sub as a MARS officer.  Here is some context:

- 4 years in Armour Recce PRes (time with PEIR & 8CH)
- Finishing up my degree this spring (BA International Relations)
- Fascinated by all things military/strategic studies, but dream of the silent service

At the end of the day it is the submarine world that I crave the most.  I wish to take this summer and next fall/winter to further progress course wise (PLQ, Crew Commander, etc.).  I do enjoy armour recce though as I enjoy the challenge of finding out what the enemy/objective is "up to" (definitely something subs never do  : .  Ideally (and I know ideals are typically far from reality) I would like to CT into a MARS officer with the desire of serving in one of the "boats".  I could certainly live with not getting aboard a sub, but I definitely would prefer to do so.  From what I've read/heard there are situations where people are "voluntold" to subs or the "hurrpy up and wait" routine.  I'm sure there is likely no definitive answer, but for the sake of asking anyway, what is a typical timeline for getting aboard one of the Vics as a MARS officer?  Thanks in advance and I promise to stay in my lane 

 

 

[Acer Syrup]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but MARS can go subs once they hit D-level training. So after you have finished MARS III/IV and have some consolidation time you can pick your D-Level training (i.e. IMD, SAC, CLDO, Subs, etc).

At my NOAB the submariner presenter asked who like to spend 3 months with 50 of your best (unshowered) friends in double decker bus. That one sentence made think a little harder about sticking with skimmers.  ;D Subs are still very interesting in theory. Would like to see inside one some day.

 

[Fergie]

    Thanks Acer,

  forgive my lack of knowledge on MARS training, but could you clarify MARS III/IV, consolidation time and D training?  The recruiting site doesn't mention some of those outright.  From what I understand you spend approx. a year in Esquimalt (NOTC training), then posted to an operational ship for approx. two years (doing OJT, bridge watch keeping and gaining NOPQ) which includes the Naval Operations Course.  The site does mention a consolidation period of six months after completing the above and then your specialization (D-level training?).  If the above outlines basically what happens, then from starting NOTC in Esquimalt to the completion of consolidation takes roughly 3.5 years and then you go on to your specialization (which is where one begins Basic Submarine Training course?).  Thanks for the feedback so far.

 

[Neill McKay]

could you clarify MARS III/IV, consolidation time and D training?  The recruiting site doesn't mention some of those outright.  From what I understand you spend approx. a year in Esquimalt (NOTC training)

That's the MARS III and MARS IV courses, preceded by NETP-O, which is the course that turns generic CF officers into naval officers.

then posted to an operational ship for approx. two years (doing OJT, bridge watch keeping and gaining NOPQ) which includes the Naval Operations Course.  The site does mention a consolidation period of six months after completing the above and then your specialization (D-level training?)

Yes, D-level training is your specialty.  Submarines is one such course.

 

[Fergie]

Thanks for the clarification N. Mackay.  Between the two replies I now have my answer.  Thanks again.

 

[Lex Parsimoniae]

Training for MARS-SUB is as follows:

Complete MARS-SS training to NOPQ level - 2 years
Complete shore based submarine training (AILS, AILV) - 6 months
Qualify as a MARS-SUB at sea (i.e. get your dolphins and officer qual) - 6 months to 1 year depending on circumstances
Complete Submarine Warfare Director course - 5 months

As in all things, YMMV.  If you PM your CF email to me then I'd be happy to provide more information.

Happy  :st.patty: to everybody!

 

[CrayCanuck07]

I concur with Lex, but these timing are best case scenario;

if all goes smoothly, you will do NETPO (2 months), then Mars III (3 months), then Mars (IV) 5 months
You then get posted to your first ship and you have 2 years to get your OOD qual and your NOPQ (basically your Lt(N) qual), but in order to achieve the timeline, you have to be posted to a sailing ship
Then you can elect to go sub; after BSQ (2-3 months now days) and SOQC (about the same amount of time) you will need to do your OJPRs at sea (15 days min for your dolphins) and about 75 days for your Sub Officer Qual (basically a sub NOPQ) and then you can do your D-Lvl (6 months). The OJPR are at sea time, and you can potentially be waiting quite a few months before going to sea and achieve the minimal requirements. After you D-Lvl you will potentially get posted to your first submarine.