‘Never too old to serve,’ says 53-year-old private
Ottawa man nicknamed ‘Pops’ enlists and passes basic training to join military
During his vagabond life, David Morrison has worked as a teacher, technical writer, bank executive, mortgage agent, garbage collector, letter carrier and pizza delivery man.
So when he received a notice on his LinkedIn page, asking if he’d ever considered a career as an air combat systems officer in the Canadian Forces, he said to himself, “Sure, why not?”
He had always wanted to serve — his father had been an army colonel — but Morrison worried he didn’t have time to go through officer training since he was already in his 50s.
Rather than wait, Morrison enlisted as a non-commissioned member and, at 53, became an army private. Last October, he presented himself for basic training in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., with arthritis and a pack-aday smoking habit.
“My goal was to pass, not to break records,” he says. “I was dealing with kids who were 18, 19, 20. I was older than all my instructors.”
Morrison would not have had the same opportunity two decades ago. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces used to have to retire at age 55, but in 2004, the mandatory retirement age was raised to 60. It means anyone can join the Canadian military as long as they have enough time to complete their first term of service before reaching mandatory retirement.
Morrison grew up in a military family: His father, Col. Scotty Morrison, fought in the Korean War, served in Germany, and later commanded The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada.
After attending high schools in Germany and Ottawa, David Morrison graduated from the University of Fredericton and travelled to Japan to teach English as a second language. He stayed for 15 years, became fluent in Japanese, and went to work for Deutsche Bank as an editor. He left as a vice-president and moved to Thailand to launch his own business.
During his overseas years, he climbed mountains in Austria, explored pyramids in Egypt and scuba dived in the Philippines.
Morrison only returned to Ottawa when his father was diagnosed with cancer. He helped look after him until his death in April 2010 while working a series of odd jobs, everything from bike courier to pizza delivery man.
He resolved to pursue a military career soon after his father’s death, in part to honour him.
Morrison also yearned for another adventure.
“I’ve had such a wonderful life so far and I thought, ‘What a feather in my cap to be able to say I served my country in the armed forces.’ And they took me.”
Morrison began 12 weeks of basic training not knowing what to expect. On his first day, he was given the nickname “Pops.”
The younger soldiers, he says, treated him well and often sought out his advice when they needed help darning socks, ironing shirts or mastering classwork.
“Everyone knew how old I was,” he says. “They were cheering me on, ‘C’mon, Pops. Give it.’ ”
Adjusting to the structure and discipline of military life was second nature, he says, but its physical demands were a challenge.
“Most of the kids were younger than half my age. I’ve been smoking longer than most of them had been alive. So that took its toll.”
Each day began at 5 a.m. and included physical training, marches and classwork before ending at 11 p.m. The hardest day, he says, involved a 13-kilometre march in full combat gear in deep snow during a cold snap. It was one of the only times he considered packing it in.
“A couple of times on a few marches, I felt like I can’t do it: It’s too much, it’s too cold, there’s too much snow, and my back hurts ...
“I’ve got arthritis. I went to the doctor and he said, ‘You have an aging back.’ And I said, ‘Tell me something I don’t know.’ ”
Morrison says he was “pretty proud” when he completed his basic training and passed the required fitness test.
Earlier this week, he began one month of land training in Petawawa where he’ll learn a number of weapons systems, then he’ll launch his occupational training as a communicator research officer (CRO) in Kingston. CROs intercept and analyze electronic communications.
“I have no illusions: I know I’m going to have to retire in six-anda-half years,” Morrison says.
“I just want to do my part and wear this Canadian flag proudly.”
Morrison has other big changes on the horizon.
He became engaged last September to Ottawa public servant Wendy Brant, who didn’t believe him when he first told her he was about to enter the military.
He had to show her his Canadian Forces acceptance letter.
“She’s been very supportive,” he says.
Morrison is already planning for his next job.
When he’s forced to retire from the military, he says, he intends to pursue a career in politics.
“I’m very patriotic, and I figure you’re never too old to serve your country.”