Raven summer training camp comes to a close
Pam Lloyd
Lookout Writer
August 28, 2006
Pam Lloyd
Lookout
OS Peggy Scott readies herself for the 33-foot rappel down the Work Point tower.
Ordinary Seaman Peggy Scott spent her eighteenth birthday rappelling down the 33-foot tower in Work Point. Her big smile as she leaned over the edge belied her trepidation.
Even with a significant amount of fear, she made the rappel, and afterward said, “It was awesome.”
OS Scott and 30 colleagues from the Raven program completed the rappelling exercise last Monday as part of their final week in the seven-week program designed to introduce military life to aboriginal youth. Graduation was last Friday on the Venture parade square.
Iona Campagnolo, Lieutenant Governor of B.C., served as the reviewing officer for the parade. Also in attendance was Base Commander, Capt(N) Mike Williamson and dozens of family members of the recruits.
The teens spent the summer living in Work Point barracks while they attended a softened version of basic recruit training. Drills, weapons handling and proper conduct quickly became second nature as the weeks went by. On top of keeping their bed made and military kit clean and polished, the teens clambered through the confidence course at Albert Head, loaded and fired a C-7 rifle, and camped out overnight to learn basic survival skills.
For those who graduated, the additional reward was a partial Basic Military Qualification, making it easier to enter the naval reserves in the future, and a few dollars in their bank accounts. Recruits earn approximately $500 a week as class B reservists.
OS Bradley Glendale, 17, of Da’naxda’xw First Nation, travelled from Courtenay to attend the summer program, and said it’s tough to say goodbye to his platoon mates. On top of making friends, the entire course was a great experience, he says. “By far, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
The young graduate says there’s a noticeable difference between the man he is now and the fresh-faced youth who stepped onto the parade square seven weeks ago. “I’m definitely more organized,”he says, adding that ambition is now in his vocabulary. When he has a goal, he does it with “no hesitation.”
His mother can testify to the change as well, he says. When she visited him after week three of training, she commented on his improved posture and reduced mumbling.
Platoon Commander PO2 Allan MacRae says the most noticeable changes he sees each year in the recruits are improved fitness, teamwork, and more self-confidence and self-discipline. When the recruits walk away with these core qualities, then he knows he’s done his job.
