Do you have to swear an oath?

Question

I was wondering if you -have- to swear a oath to the Queen of Great Britain when you join the Canadian Armed Forces. I watched my brother take an oath to the Queen but I was wondering if you -have- to. Like if its optional or what.

Answer 1

Whenever I joined the military in the U.S. we had to swear an oath, but if your religious convictions prevented you from swearing, you had to "solemnly affirm".  Basically the same thing I guess, but yes, you have to do it.