WEBVTT 00:00:03.962 --> 00:00:07.549 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% I'm Master Corporal Alexandra Brisson from Halifax, Nova Scotia. 00:00:07.549 --> 00:00:09.634 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% I'm a crew member with the Royal Canadian Dragoons 00:00:09.634 --> 00:00:11.886 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:100% posted at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. 00:00:12.887 --> 00:00:14.973 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:75% Armoured has two facets to it. 00:00:14.973 --> 00:00:16.266 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:48% There's the tanks - 00:00:16.266 --> 00:00:19.477 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% the tank's job is to roll through, they have the heavy firepower 00:00:19.477 --> 00:00:22.147 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:125% and they can pretty much roll right over anything. 00:00:22.147 --> 00:00:25.817 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% And then you have the reconnaissance - they need to be able to manoeuvre the battlefield, 00:00:25.817 --> 00:00:29.863 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% get as much information and define the enemy and push that information to higher. 00:00:30.363 --> 00:00:32.991 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% That way, the infantry, the artillery, the engineers - 00:00:32.991 --> 00:00:35.702 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:68% all the rest of the brigade that will be behind us - 00:00:35.702 --> 00:00:39.664 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% knows where the safe lands are and how much of the enemy threat is there. 00:00:40.415 --> 00:00:44.085 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% After the recce crew does its job collecting and passing on vital information 00:00:44.085 --> 00:00:46.963 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:63% on the enemy and terrain, the tanks get called in - 00:00:46.963 --> 00:00:51.092 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% providing troops with protection and firepower to advance in the field and defeat the enemy. 00:00:52.093 --> 00:00:55.180 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:63% Driving a 70-tonne tank is not your everyday job. 00:00:55.180 --> 00:00:59.476 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% Getting the job done means working within a team that acts like a single organism - 00:00:59.476 --> 00:01:03.396 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% moving, firing, and communicating all at the same time. 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:10.779 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% You gotta have a good work ethic, you need to have a good communication skill 00:01:10.779 --> 00:01:14.824 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% because if you can't talk and communicate with your commander or your driver, 00:01:14.824 --> 00:01:16.618 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:100% you're not going to accomplish anything. 00:01:17.118 --> 00:01:19.078 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:100% Equipped with night vision capabilities, 00:01:19.078 --> 00:01:22.582 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% Canada's armoured vehicles are ready to move at all times, day or night. 00:01:23.625 --> 00:01:26.836 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% Leopard tanks can take out targets up to four kilometres away, 00:01:26.836 --> 00:01:30.590 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% while the LAV 6 and the TAPV are loaded with guns and surveillance equipment 00:01:30.590 --> 00:01:33.009 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:110% that will find the enemy without being seen. 00:01:33.343 --> 00:01:35.637 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% It's kind of like playing a big game of hide-and-go-seek - 00:01:35.637 --> 00:01:39.182 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% you don't want to be found, and you want to be able to hide this big armoured vehicle, 00:01:39.182 --> 00:01:41.768 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:125% but yet you have the firepower to defend yourself. 00:01:48.316 --> 00:01:51.402 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% My favourite part of my job would have to be going to the live ranges... 00:01:51.402 --> 00:01:53.363 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:30% [Gun blasts] 00:01:54.572 --> 00:01:56.783 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:53% [Gun blasts continue] 00:01:56.783 --> 00:01:58.993 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:45% That, right there! That is it. 00:01:58.993 --> 00:02:00.328 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:68% That is the favourite part! 00:02:01.538 --> 00:02:03.998 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% Being on a live range, and being able to call out the targets, 00:02:03.998 --> 00:02:08.753 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% having your gunner do his piece, engage the targets, and knowing the satisfaction 00:02:08.753 --> 00:02:12.382 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% that all is said and done in a good fashion, in a timely manner, 00:02:12.382 --> 00:02:13.925 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:83% it's just a good time all around. 00:02:21.641 --> 00:02:24.102 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:75% Once fully trained, Armoured Soldiers are assigned 00:02:24.102 --> 00:02:27.564 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% to one of three historic armoured regiments in the Regular Force: 00:02:27.564 --> 00:02:31.568 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:75% the Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) in Edmonton, 00:02:31.568 --> 00:02:35.196 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada in Valcartier, Québec; 00:02:35.196 --> 00:02:38.449 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:78% or the Royal Canadian Dragoons, based in Petawawa, Ontario. 00:02:39.117 --> 00:02:42.328 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:83% There are also 18 Reserve armoured regiments across Canada. 00:02:43.746 --> 00:02:48.501 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% In their first posting, soldiers will master the skills of an armoured vehicle driver. 00:02:48.501 --> 00:02:52.630 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% They are mentored by more experienced drivers on how to handle and maintain armoured vehicles. 00:02:53.464 --> 00:02:57.802 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% Soldiers start out as drivers, learning the machines inside and out, 00:02:57.802 --> 00:03:00.597 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% then move on to become surveillance operators and gunners, 00:03:00.597 --> 00:03:03.641 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% who bring firepower and target acquisition to the battlespace. 00:03:04.309 --> 00:03:09.814 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% When I was a brand-new trooper at the Regiment, we went to a live-fire range and I was a driver. 00:03:09.814 --> 00:03:13.735 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% And you literally have the smoke from the gun coming into your driver's hatch, 00:03:13.735 --> 00:03:17.822 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% you're driving down range, they're traversing, you're listening to their gun drills - 00:03:17.822 --> 00:03:19.157 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:53% it's an awesome time. 00:03:19.657 --> 00:03:23.912 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% Armoured soldiers are masters at multitasking and working closely within a crew. 00:03:23.912 --> 00:03:26.623 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% They have the opportunity to advance their careers and be in charge 00:03:26.623 --> 00:03:31.586 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% of multiple vehicles and troops, receive and issue orders, and bring the fight to the enemy. 00:03:32.378 --> 00:03:37.216 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% Armoured Soldiers regularly deploy across Canada and overseas on military operations. 00:03:37.634 --> 00:03:40.553 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% Last year, I was deployed to the Ukraine for 3 months. 00:03:40.553 --> 00:03:44.807 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% It was a great experience, I got to meet a lot of people and work with some of the Americans 00:03:44.807 --> 00:03:49.312 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% and meet a whole bunch of Ukrainians and see the beautiful city of Lviv 00:03:49.312 --> 00:03:54.150 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% on some of our downtime that we had, as well as experience what's going on over there. 00:03:55.026 --> 00:04:00.114 align:middle line:74% position:50% size:108% At home, they may be called upon to help during natural disasters like fire or flood relief. 00:04:07.538 --> 00:04:09.332 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:95% It definitely is a tough job at times. 00:04:09.332 --> 00:04:14.462 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% It's a gut-check - you have to stay awake for long hours, you're physically pushing yourself - 00:04:15.213 --> 00:04:18.675 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% but in the end, once you've completed it all, it's some of the best times of your life.