How a CAF education program helped one member turn a career goal into reality

September 8, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time – 2:00

By: Jessica Jagodics, Junior Communications Officer, Total Force Attraction, Canadian Forces Health Services

“We get to help a patient for 30 minutes to an hour and that may change their life or be the one positive moment of their day.”

For Officer Cadet (OCdt) Virginie Bergeron, making a difference in patients’ lives is one of the driving factors behind her decision to become a Physiotherapy Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The Subsidized Education for Entry Level Masters (SEELM) program is a large part of what makes this goal achievable.

At age 23, OCdt Bergeron began her CAF career as a Medical Technician (MedTech). Now a current Master of Physiotherapy student at the University of Sherbrooke, OCdt Bergeron said she never saw herself becoming a Physiotherapy Officer until she witnessed firsthand the unique difference physiotherapy made in the lives of her fellow CAF members. And while she enjoyed being a MedTech, she realized she wanted an occupation that allowed her to track patient well–being and progress over time.

“I really wanted to know more about what conditions the patients had but also see the progress of their improvement. I wanted to do more,” she said.

With hopes of achieving this goal, she took an interest in becoming a Physiotherapy Officer, an occupation that embraces teamwork, assessment of the musculoskeletal system, and helping injured CAF members achieve meaningful long-term recovery and improved quality of life.

“Through the physio occupation you can follow a patient from the time they enter the clinic until they’re 100 per cent. You feel more of a sense of accomplishment when you’re there,” OCdt Bergeron said.

The SEELM program helped her turn this idea into a reality. Through SEELM, applicants who have been accepted to an accredited master’s degree program in physiotherapy at a recognized Canadian university are eligible to receive up to three years of subsidized education from the CAF to complete their degree.

“Having my tuition fully covered and continuing to be paid while attending school makes a major difference,” she explained.

In May, OCdt Bergeron began a summer term placement at the Physical Rehabilitation section of Canadian Forces Health Services Centre in Petawawa as part of her obligatory service.

OCdt Bergeron said that shadowing licensed physiotherapists, applying practical skills, and experiencing the job’s day-to-day realities have made her “really fall in love with the trade.”

“Being on base, you see different conditions and different surgeries that you wouldn’t expect to see in civilian settings. It gives you way more experience and a greater diversity of conditions.

I feel like I’m really part of the department instead of just being a student,” OCdt Bergeron said.

You too have the opportunity to receive subsidized education through SEELM to explore different career pathways within the CAF. Learn more about the SEELM program and how to apply.

Applications must be submitted to Base Personnel Selection Officers by October 9, 2026.