Sailor Profile: LS Cameron Welch

LS Cameron Welch

A/SLt Adam Smith and A/SLt Donald Den, HMCS Malahat ~

When Leading Seaman Cameron Welch joined HMCS Malahat in 2017, it was at a time when the administration clerk trade was dividing in two.

He was given a choice of jobs – financial services or human resources administrator.

As he is working towards a bachelor’s degree in business with an accounting major at the University of Victoria, financial services administration was the perfect fit for the new naval reservist.

He could apply his academic skills to a real job in finance, get paid for it, and grow his resume.

However, LS Welch is quick to add he did not join the Naval Reserves just to improve his accounting skills.

“I really love being on the water. Any Orca sail that I’m available for, I definitely go, and I enjoy my time out there immensely.”

While most of his 20-year-old friends are stationary in their jobs, LS Welch is slowly filling up his passport with custom stamps. In May, he travelled to Kuwait where he is currently stationed for the summer as part of Operation Impact.

As financial services administration is a “purple trade”, meaning it does not belong to one of the three major elements (land, sea or air), he can do the same work he was doing in Malahat’s ship’s office, only in an international operation environment.

“The logistic and financial support is key to any successful military operation,” says Cdr Greg Walker, Malahat’s Commanding Officer. “The ability for reservists to deploy and support the financial administration reinforces the total force concept while providing LS Welch with invaluable operational experience.”

LS Welch has advice for anyone considering joining the Naval Reserves, and the financial administration world in the military.

“First, I would recommend doing it now. We need people and there is tons of vertical movement and room to grow. Also, don’t be afraid because it says finance in the name. What you need to do is be able to grasp policy; you are not going to be doing parabolas. There are a lot of cool opportunities available. I like my job, it’s fun.”