If you're looking for a new adventure, the Army Reserve in Windsor and Chatham is recruiting.
The Essex-Kent Scottish Regiment is looking to recruit hundreds of new soldiers to bolster its ranks after the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on training for two years.
The head of recruiting for 31 Brigade in Windsor and Chatham Captain Garrett Sanchez told CK News Today the Canadian Armed Forces are looking to hire 400 new recruits across Southwestern Ontario this year, 100 alone in the Chatham and Windsor area.
Sanchez said all positions and skills are needed from cooks to mechanics, infantry and armoured units, electrical mechanical engineers, and logistics.
"Full steam ahead on hiring right now. We did see some losses of former members over the COVID period, whether that be due to some COVID requirements or due to the fact that over two years we were kind of on a stand down and unable to do any training. So, a lot of people went unqualified and ended up moving on to other career paths," said Sanchez.
He admits this is new ground for the regiment hiring so many recruits coming out of a pandemic.
Sanchez said although the pay is attractive with pay raises every year, the most important part of being a part-time reservist or even a regular, full time soldier is the lessons the service teaches people and the training that carries into civilian careers and other parts of life.
"We're actually the second highest paid military in the world. The Australians are the highest paid and the Canadians are second. We do offer competitive wages," he said. "Some of the best memories and experiences that I've had in my lifetime have been involved in some way or another with the military. You learn a lot about yourself, you learn how far you can push your body mentally and physically, and you tend to look at life a little bit differently."
He said the best program offered by the Windsor and Chatham regiment is a paid co-op program for high school students to get basic training, adding it's a good chance to find out if a regular, full-time military career is for you. Sanchez also said it's perfect for those who are just looking to make ends meet and pay off some bills.
He said the most common misconception about the Canadian military is that the public still thinks the training is all yelling and push ups in the mud like the Hollywood movies, adding it's not.
He also noted recruiting is more difficult today than it was 20 years ago and the military is trying to adjust to meet modern day demands for recruits.
Sanchez added new government programs to compensate employers of reservists who are deployed or training are helping the cause.
Sanchez said there's no sign up commitment to join (commit to a certain number of years of service), adding the only requirement is attending a weekly parade night and one weekend a month.
The application process includes an aptitude test, a medical exam, and a fitness test.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age or older and must be a Canadian citizen to join.
Click here to apply and to get more information.
Any questions should be directed to the recruiting office in Windsor prior to applying at windsorchathamrec@forces.gc.ca or 519-254-2535 ext: 4512.