Students from the Toronto and the GTA were granted the opportunity to participate in Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) and BMQ Land training with the Canadian Forces as part of a Cooperative Education Program (Coop). Not only were these students learning life skills and military knowledge they were also earning credits for school as well as getting paid as a Class A Reservist. They worked out of armoires throughout the GTA and South Central Ontario.
On February 23rd these students came together to form BMQ 0989. This marked the day that they were introduced to military lifestyle, starting with the issuing of their uniform and personal equipment. They were taught to pay close attention to detail, which included everything from threads on their uniform and dirt on their boots, to carrying out orders. They were also taught the importance personal hygiene as well as working together as a team so that no one was left unprepared.
They were now dealing with bigger weapons, harder tasks and more intense training
The first few weeks of BMQ were spent learning about rank structure, drill, military law, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear defence and safety precautions. The students were introduced to the C7 Service Rifle and were taught handling drills, marksmanship and safety precautions followed by a handling test. After weeks of preparation, the students put their knowledge to practical use during their first field exercise in Meaford, ON. During that week they experienced the effects of CS gas (tear gas) and fire over 500 rounds through their rifle. Once they returned from their first field exercise they students spent the next week learning basic military first aid which completed the first portion of their training, their BMQ.
BMQ Land began the next week and the students to put forth maximum effort and drive. They were now dealing with bigger weapons, harder tasks and more intense training. Over three weeks of field training. They began by learning the C9 LMG(Light Machine Gun), C6 GPMG(General Purpose Machine Gun), M72 Rocket Launcher and C13 Grenades. The students were then taught individual field craft, which included camouflage and concealment, as well as the theory behind section attacks. The third week of BMQ Land took place in Meaford where they fired machine guns, threw grenades, learned to judge distance and did the obstacle course.
The next week was spent at Canadian Forces Base Borden. This is when the troops got to sleep in improvised shelters, learn how to navigate during day and night, the basics of reconnaissance patrols, and an introduction to section attacks. During the defensive portion of the course the students dug trenches.
The final week of BMQ Land is when the troops were able to combine everything they have learned up to that point and use it in practical situations. They performed reconnaissance patrols throughout the day and night, practiced section attacks, and camouflaged their trenches. Later that week, as the troops started to feel the effects of sleep deprivation, they were attacked by opposing forces. The course was forced to fight off waves of enemy forces in the early morning. The next day, the troops covered in their trenches, and spent the night preparing for the platoon ambush and raid which would take place the following morning. This allowed the troops to get an understanding of the importance of teamwork.
The Army Coop offers these students unique experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. Many of the students make lifelong friends because of the bonding experiences that happen when students are forced to rely on each other. The challenges that they were able to overcome together showed them that nothing is impossible, and that even the most difficult task can be completed as long as you have your friends by your side. Most of the troops are now moving on to do their trades courses this summer, and will be parading with their home units by September. They are now able to say that they are a part of something bigger than anything they ever imagined, The Canadian Forces.
Pte. Pilieci, Pte. Fantridakis
English