New Glasgow soldier enjoys his northern sojourn

He has dug trenches in freezing weather and tramped through a land of endless snow — but Private Austin Reid could not be happier.

The reserve soldier from New Glasgow joined more than 400 more testing their mettle on Exercise Northern Sojourn in Labrador, a winter warfare training exercise bringing together infantry troopers from Canada, the United States and Poland.

“It’s great. I love it, getting to know the Polish guys and allies from NATO,” said Reid on Friday. “I’ve wanted to do that ever since I joined the army and I’m having a great time here.”

Exercise Northern Sojourn ran from March 2 to 11 and included five days in the field, when Reid and his fellow soldiers lived in tents and practised outdoor survival skills.

As well as digging defensive trenches, the troops conducted firing exercise with their C-7 assault rifles and rode in tanks.

“It’s been pretty cold, lots of snow. Snow can be anywhere from thigh-high to your waist,” said Reid.

He is presently a reservist in the First Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment, but hopes to transfer to the Nova Scotia Highlanders soon.

Reid’s battalion is part of the Fifth Canadian Division, made up of both regular and reserve troops from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

It is responsible for Canadian Army operations throughout Atlantic Canada and the division includes a newly-formed Canadian Combat Support Brigade.

However, up in the Arctic, Reid and his fellow soldiers worked with the Canadian Rangers, who patrol the sparsely-populated Arctic regions.

But it was the eight Polish soldiers who joined Northern Sojourn that made the biggest impression on Reid.

“I swear they’re some of the hardest-working people I’ve known,” said Reid.

Having previously been on exercise in Labrador, Reid was able to befriend one Polish soldier, who was not able to attend this year’s training mission as the latter was stationed with German forces in Europe.

Nonetheless, Reid hopes to visit his friend soon and said the army was an excellent way for Canadians to see the world.

“You’ll always meet a great bunch of guys wherever you go,” said Reid in an earlier release.

Back in civilian life, Reid is studying Electrical Engineering at the Nova Scotia Community College, after which he plans to join the army as a regular soldier.

He wants to either stay in the infantry or go into armor and this June will mark two years as an army reservist.

And Reid had this piece of advice for anyone considering joining up: “If you’re thinking about it — do it. It’s a grand old time.”