Ever wonder what it's like to be a soldier? On Nov. 19 students will have the opportunity to find out.
Soldier for a Day is a program that will show participants how a soldier in the Army Reserve is trained and what they do when they are working for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Participants will be given the opportunity to be given basic instruction in marching, weapons handling, individual kit, rappelling, communications systems, basic field skills, chemical defence, engineering displays, and technical trades. They will also get a closer look at the educational and career opportunities offered by some of the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland Army Reserve units.
The program is designed to be a fun way for participants to gain valuable experience while learning more about the role of the Army Reserve here in Canada and around the world.
The Army Reserve is made up of men and women who serve with the Canadian Forces part-time while also maintaining regular civilian jobs or attending school full-time. A reservist’s training follows school schedules closely.
They train in the local areas part-time during the fall and winter and complete full-time military training courses during the summer. There are more than 300 Reserve Units across the country with more than 20,000 reservists currently serving throughout Canada and Overseas.
Since 1996, the Army Reserve in B.C. more than 1,000 students from various secondary schools in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley have participated in this program. Many students come back to participate a second time and it has become a favourite event for participating instructors.
Students are asked to dress appropriately for the weather and physical activities, and bring lunch, a water bottle and some form of photo ID.
Soldier for a Day runs 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at 5535 Korea Rd. on the former CFB lands.
The six-and-a-half hour program is free, but registration is required. Space is limited. Those who submit their application early will have a greater chance of participating in this event.
To apply, students can contact their school counsellor for a registration form, or the event coordinator at: Jennifer.Labrador@forces.gc.ca.
For more info, go to army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/39-cer/index.page