14 Wing Greenwood Colonel Luc Vachon is the first to say there were “lots of paths” in his own life, “but here I am.
“Today, we’re here to help you find what you want to do with your life.”
The wing welcomed dozens of Grade 9 students November 6, Take Our Kids to Work Day; children and friends of both military and civilian Defence Team members. Organized tours and presentations, a BBQ lunch and then an afternoon of more individual visits with guardians in their workspaces were all designed to help youth see what parents do, what their job in uniform is– and how it might match a non-uniformed career.
“We’re not trying to recruit you!” Vachon said, “but ask questions of some of the folks in uniform and maybe we can help you make some links of your own.”
Vachon said making life decisions as a youth himself was stressful, not having a great awareness of what his own parents’ work was like. He spent some early time in the Army Reserves, not wanting a full-time military life, and not thinking he wanted aircrew. He ended up in the air force, working in an airplane, “which takes a toll. Now, I’m more office, paperwork and human resources.
“Every couple years, I’ve gotten to do something new.”
Wing Chief Warrant Officer Justin Harper spoke of the “turning wrenches” work opportunities of many non-commissioned military members, like himself; laughing that he’s still trying to figure out what a wing chief does.
“And, not recruiting? We are! Today, we have a warm welcome to our families; the military is family. This is a good opportunity for us to showcase what your mom or dad or friends do here, for 14 Wing and Canada.”
Tour leads Sergeant Jim Beaulieu, Readiness Training Flight, and Sergeant Shawn Jordan, 14 Air Maintenance Squadron, introduced themselves before splitting the group into tour halves. Beaulieu told the group, 45 years ago to the day, he started his own basic training at Cornwallis; his wife is retired military and a son and a daughter are both serving Canadian Armed Forces members.
“And it’s been a good life – I’m not going to lie. You show up, properly dressed, on time – as simple as that, and the sky’s the limit: a master’s degree? Deployments? Just one thing: go blue or stay home! I love the air force.”
Jordan encouraged visiting students to pay particular attention to what their parents show them they do: “cool things; we contribute.
“The wing’s motto is ‘Operate as One,’ and that’s an ideal, but it is how we work, and we all contribute together. Learn what they do here so you can appreciate what they do; that the job they are doing is important” as they are away from home for months at a time on training or operations, helping people and contributing to both Canada and other countries who need help.
