More news of the Halifax

Actually, they're in Hamilton right now, but they just left Oshawa. I wish they'd actually bothered to contact the real media in Toronto so they'd have put an article like this in the Star. It sometimes seems like Jake is the only Navy guy to have ever come out of Toronto.

P.S. Moving sucks. Packing sucks. Argh!

Military kicks recruitment drive into high gear
May 3, 2007
By Izabela Jaroszynski

DURHAM -- With the HMCS Halifax drawing in crowds by the hundreds as it docked at the Port of Oshawa, the military's chief recruiter used the opportunity to promote the benefits of a career in the military.

"We want to get the message out to the public," said Commodore Roger MacIsaac, the director of general recruiting and military careers. "Tell them what it's all about, what it has to offer and what the lifestyle is like."

Offering more than a hundred different jobs and a subsidized education program, the military can be a great opportunity to start a career, he said. As an example, he cited the Navy, which has highly advanced, state-of-the-art technology that is an added bonus to those who are looking to work in a high-tech environment.

Since many of the jobs within the military are highly specialized, young and trainable recruits are vital to sustain a proper force.

"We can't just put out an advertisement for, say, a tank driver," Cmdre MacIsaac said with a chuckle. "We have to grow our own."

But in addition to the specialized training that can take years, the military is also facing similar recruiting challenges to many big corporations: a baby boomer generation that is set to retire and a shortage of technically-skilled workers in Canada.

To combat the shrinking workforce, the military has stepped up its recruitment drive with a new national advertising campaign and a revamped website (www.forces.ca) that includes a "cool stuff" category and shows video footage to help dispel some of the myths surrounding military careers.

One of the biggest misconceptions, says Cmdre MacIsaac, is that a career in the military has to last a lifetime.

"We have many different options available," he said, adding that a lot of people who join the Reserves have careers outside of the military. "Most likely, we have an option that will suit you."

And since many of the skills taught in the military -- ethics, leadership, management, problem-solving -- are easily transferable, those who choose to leave will be able to find jobs in other places, he said.

For Captain Holly-Anne Brown, who joined the military after graduating from university, a career with the military has meant the ability to experiment with different jobs.

After 17 years in the Canadian Forces, Cpt. Brown has changed careers three times. She served in the artillery for five years, then switched to a training position and is now happily working as a public affairs officer.

"It has been a fantastic experience," she said. "If I can do this, anyone can."