The Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) is a highly trained high mobility force that is capable of independent operations as well as supporting both special and conventional operations forces. The battalion sized unit is made up of specialized companies with a host of skills that enable them to operate in a variety of terrains and environments. Drawn from all parts of the CF, they provide the Commander CANSOFCOM with the ability to insert forces in any part of the world by conventional and non-conventional means. Highly flexible and adaptable, they are able to operate in small groups for extended periods of time without requiring significant logistical support.

Lieutenant-Colonel Jamie Hammond is the first and current commander of the regiment.

 

Unit Strength

Pre-Requisites

Pre-Requisites for Cat 1 and 2 personnel are as follows:

• A. Minimum Security Level 1. Note: all CSOR members must hold minimum Level 2. Applicants without Level 2 must not have any admin issues or disciplinary incidents that would prevent the member from attaining a Level 2 clearance.
• B. Minimum Med Cat is 332225. Note: vision must be correctable to V1 (interim policy).
• C. Regular Force members must have minimum of 2 years service. NCMs must be minimum QL3 and Officers must be fully MOC qualified. Cat 1 Personnel must be prepared for a restricted release agreement of 3 years service imposed upon successful completion of basic CSOR training.
• D. Reservists must have a minimum of 3 years service. NCMs must be minimum QL3 and Officers must be qualified to Regular Force standards. Res Force Cat 1 applicants must be prepared for a restricted release agreement of a minimum of 3 years service and be prepared for Component Transfer to the Regular Force on completion of teh CSOR Training and Assessment Course. Reserve Force members applying for Cat 1 positions are required to forward a copy of their MPRR (PPE 806 OR CF1007) to the CSOR Recruiting Cell in order to screen for eligibility prior to applying.
• E. Possess a valid civilian driver's license.
• F. For Cat 1 personnel - applicants must not have phobias to heights, water or confined spaces. Applicants must be Basic Para qualified or volunteer for Basic Para training if not qualified. Personnel must be prepared to conduct Insert/Extract training which will require an absence of phobias to heights and a high level of physical fitness.

Screening Process

• A. STEP 1 - Unit Application: member volunteers through chain of command using the application form for service with CSOR. Forms (are) available at the Wing/Base Personnel Selection Officer offices and at the CANSOFCOM website... CSOR selection will be a highly competitive process: units are encouraged to screen out below-average performers.
• B. STEP 2 - Physical Fitness Screening: member undergoes CSOR Physical Fitness evaluation and swim test administered by PSP staff at respective CF Bases. A pre-selection PT training program will be published by PSP...
  • 1) For personnel applying for Cat 1 positions, the 2 Step/2 Day Evaluation Process is as follows:

PART 1 (DAY 1):

• 20 metre Shuttle Run Level 9 (minimum 5 minutes rest),
• minimum 40 pushups (continuous) (minimum 2 minutes rest)
• minimum 40 situps (in one minute) (minimum 2 minutes rest)
• minimum 5 pullups (minimum 15 minutes rest)
• Combat Swim Test (25 metre swim in combats, boots, rifle, no floatation)

PART 2 (DAY 2):

• 13km weight loaded march with 35kg in 2 hours, 26 minutes (minimum 10 minute break)
• casualty evacuation of soldier of similar build/weight for a distance of 100 metres in less than 60 seconds

Personnel applying for Cat 1 positions are encouraged to performe to the best of their ability on the Personnel Fitness Test. PFT scores will be used as part of the selection process, with preference given to those with higher scores.

• • (2) For personnel applying for Cat 2 positions, the 2 Step/2 Day Evaluation Process is as follows:

PART 1 (DAY 1):

• CF EXPRES (MPFS)
• Basic Military Swim Test (Water safety knowledge, abandon ship emergencies, rudimentary swimming skills.)

PART 2 (DAY 2):

• 13km weight loaded march with 24.5kg in 2 hours, 26 minutes (Army Fitness Standard)(minimum 10 minute break)
• casualty evacuation of soldier of similar build/weight for a distance of 100 metres in less than 60 seconds

• C. For all personnel, unit to forward completed application package to Wing/Base Personnel Selection Officer, including:

(1) Application for service with CSOR

(2) CSOR physical fitness and swim test results

(3) UER

(4) Pers File

(5) Conduct Sheet (if applicable)

• D. STEP 3 - BPSO Screening: to be conducted by the Wing/Base Personnel Selection Officer and will include cognitive ability and personality assessment, as well as a Wing/Base Personnel Selection Officer interview. Applicant files will not be accepted by Wing/BPSO unless there is proof of successful completion of Physical Fitness Test.
• E. It is the unit's responsibility to forward the following documents for each aplicant to the CSOR Recruiting and Selection Cell prior to the application Deadline:

(1) CF 285 (PSO Report)

(2) Application Form

(3) Physical Fitness/Swim Test Results

• F. Units will be informed by message as to which applicants have been selected to progress to the next phase of the assessment process.

• For Cat 1 personnel, selected candidates will attend the CSOR Training and Assessment Course...the second Training and Assessment Course is scheduled for Fall 2006. Successful Cat 1 applicants will be on Temporary Duty for the Training and Assessment period. This physically and mentally demanding training will evaluate the required attributes such as stress tolerance, perseverance, absence of phobias, physical fitness, adaptability, and weapons handling. Successful operators must have the ability to operate independently or in small teams, under adverse, ambiguous conditions.
• For Cat 2 personnel, selected individuals will be interviewd by CSOR personnel and if found suitable, will attend orientation training after arrival at the untit.