Ready to serve
Fourteen candidates graduate from basic military qualification course
Fourteen candidates graduate at Victoria Park Armories in Sydney.
Charlie Aylward has always been interested in the military, which is why he decided to join.
“It’s just something I love — it’s been a draw to me,” said the Sydney native. “It involves a lot of outdoors stuff, lots of woods stuff, and running around having fun.”
Aylward was one of 14 candidates from local reserve units to graduate with their basic military qualification at a parade on Saturday at Victoria Park Armories in Sydney.
The basic military qualification is a gateway course that new members of the Canadian Armed Forces must complete before undergoing occupation-specific training.
The course, which is offered locally during the weekends, provides candidates with training in general military knowledge, physical training, first aid, weapons handling and safety, navigation, fieldcraft, and survival in a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environment.
Julie Baribeau joined the military in Quebec before completing her training in Sydney. She said Saturday’s graduation was exciting.
“I’m proud and happy to be graduating,” said the 33-yearold. “It’s a new challenge — I always look for other challenges. I really like to get some education and some courses, and all the possibilities in the military were appealing to me.”
There were challenges for the candidates throughout the course.
“It consisted of lots of waking up early,” said Aylward. “It was definitely a struggle, little bit of a challenge, but it was well worth it.”
Baribeau said there were a lot of things she didn’t know before joining the military and if she would have known, she would have joined sooner.
“We learned about ethics and all the rules of how it works in the government,” she said. “It’s really rewarding. You have to put a lot of effort in it, but it’s worth it in the end.”
Along with receiving his qualification, Aylward also received the top candidate award. Meanwhile, David Sseguya–Lwanga was given the top shot award.
“I’m very proud to receive this honour,” said Aylward.
Baribeau said Aylward deserved the award.
“He was an amazing candidate — he was always helping everybody,” she said. “He gave me good help with weapons and it was appreciated.”
Aylward and Baribeau encourage people to join the military.
“If you are looking for a fun, very different rewarding career, this is the place to be,” said Aylward. “The pay is good, you have fun, and it’s a very physically active lifestyle.”
Anyone interested in joining the military is asked to visit the Victoria Park Armories in Sydney to speak with a recruiter.