5 Questions with the Base Commander’s Driver

Master Sailor (MS) Scott Van Maurik currently works at the Base Executive Branch of CFB Esquimalt as the Base Commander’s Driver.

CFB Esquimalt Public Affairs

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Master Sailor (MS) Scott Van Maurik currently works at the Base Executive Branch of CFB Esquimalt as the Base Commander’s Driver.

What’s an average day on the job like?

The bulk of what I do is what you likely expect – I just drive, but the road conditions, traffic, construction, and things like that make each day different. Although I spend most of my time driving the Base Commander to meetings, there is variety in when and where I’m driving – a lot of the meetings happen outside of the Base.

I get to meet a lot of people. I’ve met most of the local mayors, for example, and I think having that opportunity has given me a better understanding of how the different municipalities work.

What’s the most interesting thing that’s happened recently while on the job?

Recently, I got to watch one of the controlled burns at Rocky Point that help maintain the ecosystem and prevent wildfires from getting out of hand. The Base Commander had been invited to see what the controlled burns entail, and I followed along with the car in case things got too smoky and we needed to move quickly to a different location.

What’s something about your job that nobody realizes?

When the Base Commander drives around, people salute the vehicle, but they can’t see inside. The thing most people don’t realize is he is often saluting back.

What’s something interesting about yourself?

I was once posted to the Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert in Nunavut, and I ran the trading post. One day I caught 14 fish, and the president of the Fishing Club asked if I wanted to take over the position. I love fishing, so I was happy to do it. While I was up there, I also ran the post office and the two messes – the Arctic Club and the Wolf Den.

What would be your dream vacation?

Oh, I don’t know. I usually just go to Whistler. I love to get outdoors, away from traffic, and Whistler has all the stuff I love to do. Mountain biking in the summer and snowboarding in the winter, that kind of thing.