’No other job like this’: army job fair seeks a few good soldiers

Mark Balala didn’t need any convincing to check out the the Canadian Armed Forces recruitment fair, which kicked off Thursday.

“I’ve wanted to be in the army ever since I was a kid … now I’m here, just trying to look for a job in the army,” the 16-year-old said Thursday.

He brought curious friends along to Minto Armouries on St. Matthews Avenue, which has opened its doors in search of new recruits as part of a nationwide series of open houses.

Units ranging from medical teams to infantry soldiers answered visitor questions and shared tools of the trade with civilians. As part of the open house, unloaded firearms were on display and available to hold, army trucks were parked to get a closer look at, and members of 38 Canadian Brigade Group’s Winnipeg infantry held an attack simulation using training ammo.

It’s a unique time to be a recruiter with the Armed Forces, Sgt. Kyle Bloomfield said. He got into recruiting after returning from a tour in Afghanistan in 2009 and said young people are less likely to be aware of the Canadian Army Reserve as a possible career choice.

“It’s a double-edged sword. Because we are so good at our job and keeping Canada safe, it keeps us out of the thoughts of the Canadian public, so they don’t think of us as a career option,” he said. “So we want young Canadians, any Canadian really, to know that we’re here and offer employment, especially in these economic times.”

He’s seen the number of young people signing up ebb and flow, with more signing up when Canada’s in the midst of an active operation.

In Winnipeg, he said there’s been a slight uptick in membership recently, but it’s hard to say why — it could be the rising cost of living, or it could be Canadian troops establishing a presence in Latvia, thus opening up the chance at travel for recruits.

“When I joined back at 18, I knew almost nothing about the military. All I knew is I didn’t want to flip burgers, and I wanted to see the world,” Bloomfield said.

Canadians can join the reserves as young as 16 with parental consent, and the minimum educational requirement is completing Grade 10. Other occupations vary — military police officers require a Grade 11 education, while some managerial positions need a university degree.

The Canadian Army Reserve in Winnipeg is a part-time job, meant to support people working full-time or still in school. While they accept teenagers, it’s a tough line of work that quickly weeds out kids who aren’t mature enough or ready, Bloomfield said.

“There’s no other job like this in Canada, even the police services, but we do really reinforce to the young applicants, and especially in the basic training, that it is not a game, it is serious,” he said.

Balala says he’s ready. For him, the desire to sign up came from a desire to make connections.

“I think it’s the thought of people you don’t know coming together,” he said. “Because I’ve heard stories of people who (started as) strangers to you in the army, and then as years go on, you sort of become more like family.”

The Minto Armouries open house at 969 St. Matthews Avenue runs until April 17. It is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. t0 5 p.m. on weekends.

The public is being told not to be alarmed during the simulated gunfire attack using training rounds this week and next. Automatic weapons will be fired around 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on the weekend. Live rounds of ammunition will not be used.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca