Basic Military Qualification (BMQ)
Video / April 09, 2025
Transcript
You’ve likely seen and heard a lot of different things about Basic Training. The instructors are not here to break you. Their goal is to build you up, mentor you, help you find your inner strength, and teach you to succeed in both the military and everyday life.
Basic Military Qualification, or BMQ, is a nine-week demanding journey designed for you to achieve more than you thought possible. It will transition you from civilian to a proud member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Everyone who joins the Canadian Armed Forces must complete BMQ at the leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
During the first week of your training, you’ll be outfitted with all your military kit. Uniform, boots, helmet, gloves, rucksack, and you’ll settle into your quarters. You’ll join other recruits in a self-contained mega complex, complete with dormitory, gym, cafeteria, and school facility. Here, you’ll experience the CAF’s four training pillars: professional conduct and culture, resilience, physical fitness, and military skills.
It isn’t until week 6 that you’ll do your mandatory physical test. You’ll have lots of opportunities to build up capacity to meet the objectives of the test. Recruits must be successful to continue their BMQ. So, it’s a good idea to start training now before you arrive. In addition, visitations are not permitted during the initial four weeks of BMQ training.
You’ll be assigned to a section and during week two you’ll learn military dress, drill, and the words of military instruction. Initially, your training will begin unarmed.
BMQ isn’t easy, but your instructors will inspire you with mentorship and coaching.
Daily inspection of your kit aims to contribute to operational efficiency, to promote discipline, pride and above all it constitutes the basis of teamwork.
Ensuring you stay fit, agile, and ready to serve, marches and physical training are a fundamental part of your day.
You’ll be living, learning, and eating with your fellow recruits. In the classroom you’ll learn everything about survival skills. Recruits are equipped with essential skills in Basic Military First Aid, as well as lifesaving CPR techniques.
Your daily routine starts at 5a.m. and is filled with active days and late nights. Military skills and drills, classroom time, physical training, and personal inspections contribute to the core of your BMQ experience. This routine develops mental resilience, determination, teamwork, and physical strength.
Knowing how to strip, clean and assemble the C7A2 service weapon, is a fundamental skill you’ll develop.
Over several weeks you’ll be put through your paces on the shooting simulator and at the range. You’ll learn to work effectively in situations where you must use weapons, relocate quickly, or conduct an operation in a conflict situation in challenging weather and conditions.
After significant preparation, you’ll be subjected to the reality of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear theatre operations. These learned skills are tested in a safe and controlled environment. It’s a challenging experience where overcoming anxiety and fear is key.
Graduation day is a heartfelt day. You earned it. Each challenge you overcame on your journey during BMQ has equipped you with the skills, resilience, and confidence you’ll need as you venture into your military career with excitement and honour, ready to serve your country.
Khan: It was fun and hard at the same time. We reach new limits.
Russelo: Like, when something is hard, you really gotta push through, work together.
Pinsonneault: I make so much friends.
Thurston-Wylie: Staff is all supportive, and everything like that. They are making sure that you succeed. That really helps out a lot.
Khan: So, it was really fun. It was challenging and I'd do it all over again.