THUNDER BAY -- Ever since Andrew Martin could remember he has always wanted to follow in his family’s military footsteps
On Saturday, his journey began when he received his enrolment certificate at the Army Reserve Co-operative Education Program Enrolment Ceremony.
“When I first came to Thunder Bay my father told me there was an opportunity to do a military co-op,” Martin said.
“Seeing as every previous male member of my family had served either in the British Armed Forces or the Canadian Armed Forces…I thought it would be a good opportunity to see if it’s something I wanted to pursue.”
The 18-year-old believes the military is something every young person should have the opportunity to explore.
For about four months, the co-op group will be learning drills, marching and weapons handling.
“I’m looking forward to going out into the bush, learning how to live, how to camp, how to march with the pack and how to drill,” Martin said. “I’m really just looking forward to learning everything because it’s all new to me.”
Martin added that he is also looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends.
“I’m aware that sometimes you fall in love with a dream and I’m looking forward to actually testing myself and seeing what I can do and how I complete things come June.”
Health service recruiter Joey Huskinson said he hopes these students will find a career out of the military.
“I hope it opens pathways for them that they never really thought possible,” Huskinson said.
“I hope they enjoy their time and take everything they can from the co-op.”
Eleven students from high schools across the city attended the enrolment ceremony Saturday.
Huskinson said whether they want a career in the military or not he believes the students will take home the lessons learnt throughout the next four months.
“We are going to teach them a lot of different things and hopefully they gain some maturity through this course and carry it through the rest of their lives.”
