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What’s it like to be a young Reservist? We’ll hear from a member who’s living that experience. He’ll also tell us how a summer program was helpful to both his personal and professional development and his pocketbook.
This podcast is for and about soldiers of the Canadian Army.
Its primary goal is to provide them with useful information through thoughtful and open discussions that reflect their mutual interests and concerns.
Though soldiers are our primary audience, the topics covered on this podcast should be relevant to anyone who supports our soldiers or who has an interest in Canadian military matters.
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Corporal Daniel Kwon: It's like a big burden lifted off your shoulders because you'll be employed, you'll be sent somewhere, and you'll gain experience from that. So you're not really stressing too much because you know the Army’s gonna be there for you.
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Captain Orton: Hi, this is Capt Adam Orton for the Canadian Army Podcast. So every soldier has a story no matter how long or short they've been in, and this episode we're going to be speaking with a soldier who decided to give the Reserves a try a few years ago, and continues the journey today. He's going to share some stories about his military experiences, his career and his future plans. We're also going to talk about a relatively new program available to the Reserves that's called FTSE, or Full Time Summer Employment. This program guarantees four solid summers of employment, which can be pretty important to new soldiers coming in who are trying to make decisions about their lives during that time, especially if they're students. Coming to us from Toronto over the Internet, I have Corporal Daniel Kwon who's with the Queen's York Rangers, and we're gonna chat about his career up to date. Welcome to the podcast.
Cpl Kwon: Thank you, sir. Excited to be here.
Capt Orton: Yeah, it's gonna be a good time. So how'd you wind up with the Queen's York Rangers?
Cpl Kwon: So back in grade 12, I was looking at the Reserve jobs on the Canadian Forces jobs page. And I saw a job that caught my eye. And it was armoured crewman. And so I decided to throw my application in. And from then I ended up joining. It took me about nine months to get in. And then I went straight into BMQ after enrollment; went into BMQ-Land. And then I started my trades training, developmental phase 1. After that, I did a lot of work with the unit. And it's been a great time.
Capt Orton: So when you're talking about BMQ, for those that might not know, that's your Basic Military Qualification, which is basic. If you're watching an army movie, that's what it is. What was basic like for you?
Cpl Kwon: It was challenging for sure. I was on BMQ co-op. So it was for high school students in the area who did the co-op program in high school. So they would enroll in the Army but, at the same time, they'd be finishing off their high school program. And they'd get credits for it. And so they run this in Toronto. At the time, I was finished high school, but they had room on this course. So they put me in. And it was Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. It was a bit challenging because we'd have to get there early. We weren't allowed to sleep there. So we'd have to get there early, and then we'd leave in the afternoon. So it was challenging for me because I had to take public transit. Especially in Toronto, because it is so busy carrying all your kit around.
Capt Orton: Yeah, just big backpacks and bags on the bus.
Cpl Kwon: Exactly.
Capt Orton: I've done it too, so I know what that feels like.
Cpl Kwon: Yeah. As for the actual course, there's a lot to learn but I made it through.
Capt Orton: Like, what was your biggest takeaway from that training?
Cpl Kwon: My biggest takeaway from that would be just like the basic fundamentals of being a soldier; the culture, the teamwork that came with it, like working with my coursemates to get tasks done, to make sure that we're at the top of our game really helped, like transferring into my civilian life as well; made me a big team player.
Capt Orton: So when you say, you know, the fundamentals of being a soldier, what is that now like looking back on it?
Cpl Kwon: Like the discipline that comes with it, being there to support each other. I'd say that's a big thing, being there to help one another. Like, as a soldier, we're there for the Canadian people. And that really stuck with me, because that's not something you really see often day to day, like people helping people. But in the Army, that's where I learned to really be there to help, and be there for the people.
Capt Orton: And so you're a corporal now, how long has it been since you did your basic training?
Cpl Kwon: So I did my basic training in 2017, about four years ago.
Capt Orton: And so now as a corporal, do you also see that soldier mentality of being there and helping out each other and helping out the people around you?
Cpl Kwon: Oh, for sure. Yeah, I see that a lot with other soldiers, especially with COVID and all that. When the time came for us to go on Operation LASER, all the hands shot up, everyone was ready to help one another.
Capt Orton: So Operation LASER being basically the Canadian Armed Forces response to the COVID pandemic.
Cpl Kwon: Exactly. Yes.
Capt Orton: Were you a part of that as well?
Cpl Kwon: I was, except I was with the local response unit at home. So we'd stay at home. And in the event of a request for assistance from the local community, we'd go out and try to assist in whatever was asked. It did end up happening in Toronto. There was a shipment of medical supplies that ended up in Pearson. They needed logistical support. So the local response unit that was closest to the airport ended up going and assisted with offloading the airplane.
Capt Orton: That's a good experience and helping out being part of the team and all that.
Cpl Kwon: For sure.
Capt Orton: So back to basic real quick. So you finished your basic training, and that's, I would assume that's your first summer in the military there, is that right?
Cpl Kwon: Yes.
Capt Orton: And so you come back from that, and then what was it, back to school back to just regular life and then doing as a Reservist, you'd probably do Army stuff on the side on weekends and evenings, or how did that go?
Cpl Kwon: So after I finished all my training, I actually ended up on a Class B, which is a contract where you become employed by the military. And I was sent to Gagetown, where I worked at the armoured school. That was where I learned a lot about how the military works. And it was great to work with the Regular Force to learn from them. And I brought a lot of skills with me back to the unit.
Capt Orton: What, what period were you on that task?
Cpl Kwon: I was there from September to about December.
Capt Orton: So that's some pretty good experience for a soldier who just got out of their basic training, and then you go to the school to really see the other side of that training experience and kind of what goes into it.
Cpl Kwon: I learned a lot of things out there, for sure.
Capt Orton: Like what?
Cpl Kwon: I learned how the echelon works. So in the Armoured Corps, within a squadron, there's an echelon, which is like the rear party. They coordinate all the supplies, and make sure like the fighting troop, or the fighting part of the squadron is ready to go. And so I got to see that firsthand. And I got to see how the Regular Force works versus how the Reserves work. For them it's like a Monday to Friday, every day. And it's and how different it is from us, who are in once a week, one weekend a month. So it's a big eye opener for me. It made me think about going into the Regular Force and putting in a transfer.
Capt Orton: And what happened with that? Just the timing wasn't right?
Cpl Kwon: So I eventually did end up putting in a transfer, and I've just been waiting.
Capt Orton: So you've gone through that experience, you went off to the school. And now time has passed, what happened for your second summer at FTSC? What happened there?
Cpl Kwon: So FTSC actually came in place the year after I joined.
Capt Orton: Right.
Cpl Kwon: So for my first summer of FTSC, I was actually employed with battle school. So I was tasked to battle school to be the admin guy, or the CQ of different courses. So it was for the basic trainings. And that's where I really learned a lot about how basic training is run, the whole background of it. And I got a lot of experience there, which is definitely going to help me for when I progress my career to master corporal. Because that's where I got to really see how everything is run. I learned the different things they have to do admin wise, in terms of writing reports, filing personnel files, and all that.
Capt Orton: Why do you think about having that kind of full time employment for at least a certain period of time, you know, how does that benefit your career?
Cpl Kwon: It makes me more confident to want to go and progress my career to the next step, which is to be a master corporal. And I'm definitely more confident in going into that role now, and going to teach courses, because I was able to see how everything's run. And I come in with a bit of insight. That way I'm not totally, you know, shocked by what's happening. I'll be able to come in and have an idea of what's going on, and really, go straight into teaching.
Capt Orton: You know, what are some of the goals that you're looking to accomplish as part of your career up to this point? You talked about becoming a master corporal, what else is driving you right now?
Cpl Kwon: I'd like to get on a deployment, for sure, overseas, and go over whichever is available, I guess. That'd be a lot of great experience going over and assisting with whatever is happening. As well as going into the Regular Force, that is also another thing I'd like to do. That way I can really understand what it's like to be in the full-time Army I guess.
Capt Orton: Did your experience with full time summer employment kind of motivate you to take those steps? How did that kind of affect how you perceive the military at this point in time?
Cpl Kwon: Yeah, I'd say full time summer employment definitely pushed me in that direction. Getting that regular paycheck for sure helped as well as getting a taste of being in the Army full-time. Even if it was for the summer, it really opened me up to what it's like to wear the uniform Monday to Friday. And what it's like to work with the Army, because it's very different from civilian employment. The people you meet and get to work with, it really makes it all perfect.
Capt Orton: Did you notice any other members of your organization be impacted by this program? Like, do you think the program itself is beneficial?
Cpl Kwon: I think it is. We've had people who have been tasked out. And they've come back a lot more confident in their abilities from what they've learned while they've been tasked out on FTSC. So I'd say it was very beneficial. And I know some of them ended up actually getting their transfer in. And now they're in the Reg Force.
Capt Orton: Can you tell us about any other tasks that particularly stand out that you've had the opportunity to take on as a result of this program?
Cpl Kwon: So for my second year of FTSC, I was tasked to Blackdown, it's a cadet camp. And that's where I got to see how the world of cadets is run. So how it's very different from us. And it just opened my eyes to a lot of different components of the Canadian Armed Forces, and what's really available and what we offer. And so, yeah, Blackdown, again, I worked as a CQ, a storesman, and I was there to help with making sure that the cadets had the correct stores and the supplies to have a great summer.
Capt Orton: You have any good stories from that time period, like maybe a memorable anecdote or something that stands out in your mind that was either super cool or fun, or maybe, maybe not fun. But, you know, you look back on it with a little bit of fondness.
Cpl Kwon: I guess there's a lot of fun times where, being tasked out, I got to meet a lot of new people. And we became really good friends. And I've kept those friendships. And so I guess the best part of it would be after work, when you're not working, and you get to hang out with your new friends. And you make lifelong memories. I guess that would be the best part of my experience, I'd say.
Capt Orton: So just that social component.
Cpl Kwon: For sure. Like the camaraderie and becoming friends with the people you work with makes the workplace a lot better, and you enjoy it more.
Capt Orton: Having that chance to have that full-time employment, how does that benefit you in other ways outside of work? How does that help you out?
Cpl Kwon: It gives me something in the summer that I don't really have to worry about. So I know for a lot of students, when they're done school for the summer, a big thing is trying to find employment to work throughout the summer. That way they can go through with their schooling. So it's like a big burden lifted off your shoulders because you know that it's going to be there for you in the summer. And you know that you'll get on it and you'll be employed, you’ll be sent somewhere. And you'll gain experience from that. So you're not really stressing too much to find a job for the summer because you know the Army is going to be there for you.
Capt Orton: And how do these skills that you're learning cross over into your area of study?
Cpl Kwon: I guess from where I was working with battle school, like I was able to sit in on some classes that were being taught, like, I'd stand in the back and see how it's being taught. And I'd obviously take a lot of that information in. So for the program I'm in, I'm a student at Fleming College, and I study fish and wildlife. And so we learn things like mapping and compass. And learning that throughout the Army, and having that reinforced in my mind from working for battle school and being able to watch the candidates do their mapping and compass really helped me in my school. We did a compass lesson last week, and I had known pretty much exactly what to do because I was able to get that ingrained into my memory, to my mind. And so it was very helpful in that aspect. And working full-time in the Army, you get used to that routine of you wake up at the same time every morning, you finish work at the same time. So it got me used to routine and that helped with school because you got to be up early and you got to get your work done.
Capt Orton: During the regular training year as a reservist, you've got your Tuesday nights, you've got your weekends. What does that training look like for you? You know, not counting the online or remote learning stuff. What does Reserve training look like at the Queen's York Rangers?
Cpl Kwon: So on our parade nights we focus on lessons, lessons that'll help us in the field, that'll help us on courses. So a big thing would be getting hands-on training on our weapons as well as our vehicles because we are in an armoured reconnaissance unit. So we drive around the G-Wagons. So getting that experience driving the G-Wagons, maneuvering with them. We're right next to the exhibition grounds downtown Toronto. So one night we took the G-Wagons out, and we did different drills. And we worked in that area because it was very low traffic, not a lot of people. And we also do a lot of classroom lessons. And we'll learn about different things like armoured fighting vehicles, and the theory behind the drills that we're going out and doing.
Capt Orton: Have you spent any time working with the new TAPVs? Or relatively new TAPVs.
Cpl Kwon: Yes. So I actually just finished my Remote Weapon System course. I'm now qualified as a TAPV gunner. That was an exciting course, because we got to try out the new weapon system. But it was very challenging. It was one of the more challenging courses I've done for sure. There's a lot of new things we have to learn. As reservists, we're not used to that weapon system and using the screen. So there's a lot to learn a lot to take in. But I'm glad I did that course. It was great.
Capt Orton: What would you tell somebody who's maybe looking for something, or maybe looking to join the Canadian Armed Forces and they're listening to this? What would you tell them?
Cpl Kwon: I'd say to put your application in and just go for it. At the time, when I put my application in, I wasn't too sure if I wanted to do it. But I decided to just give it a chance. And it's been a really great time. Lots of great opportunities. Things I wouldn't have done if I hadn't joined, like going out to Gagetown, New Brunswick. Also being part of like different exercises and just seeing new things and meeting new people. It's rewarding. It's a rewarding career.
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Capt Orton: Okay, well, that was Corporal Daniel Kwon from the Queen's York Rangers. Thanks for coming on the podcast.
Cpl Kwon: Thank you, sir. It was a good time.
Capt Orton: If you're interested in being a part of the Canadian Army Reserve, and getting four full summers of employment where you get to learn about all the things that we just talked about and be a part of the team, check out our recruiting link in the show notes. I'm Capt Adam Orton. Orton out.
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