WEBVTT

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- I'm Corporal Natalie Ferland
from Petitcodiac, New Brunswick,

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a Human Resources Administrator

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currently serving at 427 Special Operations
Aviation Squadron

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in Petawawa, Ontario.

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(narrator): Human Resources Administrators,
or HRAs for short,

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handle the administrative paperwork
for all Canadian Armed Forces personnel

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from the day they walk into a recruiting centre,

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right up to the day that they retire.

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They work with everyone from new recruits

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right up to the senior-most Generals,

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no matter their military occupation.

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- The role of a Human Resources Administrator
in the Canadian Armed Forces

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is to manage members' PERS files,

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manage their pay, do terms-of-service contracts,

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handle promotions, allowances,

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handling counter service for any inquiries
that members have about their PERS file

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or about their pay.
About anything in general, honestly.

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We get leaned on for support in many facets
and we're always ready to help.

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(narrator): They also prepare members
administratively

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for deployment on overseas taskings
or domestic exercises,

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from dealing with official travel,
to briefing members on entitlements and benefits,

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and ensuring that all their personal documents
are up-to-date

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so that there are no issues or concerns
while members are away from home.

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HRAs are an integral part of the CAF,

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whose administrative support allows other members
to focus on their primary tasks.

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- And it is our job to ensure
that they are completely supported

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in any administrative way that they need

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so that they can do their job properly

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and not have to worry about getting paid
or making sure their PERS file is in order.

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(narrator): On exercise, they could find
themselves in a field office in a tent

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or on a ship doing their administrative work,

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or participating in other aspects of the exercise,

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such as set-up and tear-down, security,

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and other general duties expected
of all CAF members.

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- With the task of being an HRA,
a lot of it is sort of behind-the-scenes work,

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so members don't really see
everything that we do for them.

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But it's not really about that.

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Being a supporter by trade,
you have to be a supporter by nature,

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and you do get appreciated for everything you do,

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just like every other trade in the Forces.

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(narrator): In addition to the support
HRAs provide here at home,

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there are ample opportunities to deploy
in support of Canadian Armed Forces operations

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and exercises both here in Canada
and around the world.

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- I'd say the coolest part of this job
is the people you meet.

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The amount of interesting people that come
to the counter every day

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with their varied stories and experiences,

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it's an experience like no other.
It's very unique.

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And these people do become your family.

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(narrator): Once they complete their training,

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HRAs will be posted to one of the many
Canadian Armed Forces bases

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and operational units across Canada.

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No matter what uniform they are wearing,

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there are opportunities for employment
at every base and Wing,

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on ships, overseas,

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or even with the Special Operations Forces.

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Building on what they learned
on their trade qualification course,

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new HRAs gradually expand their skillset

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under the supervision of more senior colleagues.

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(Ferland): You're definitely not left
out in a lurch. You're supported very well.

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It's a really close-knit community
and we want each other to succeed.

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So when you get to your unit,
you are trained by your teammates

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in how to apply all
of the skills you just learned.

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(narrator): As their careers develop,
Human Resources Administrators

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may be offered opportunities
to develop specialized skills

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in areas like Recruiting, Release,

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Deployed Operations, Engineering Support,

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or Compliance and Verification.

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There are also opportunities for HRAs
in the Primary Reserve,

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serving part-time in their local community
while going to school

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or working at a civilian job.

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- I have high hopes for my career.

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I'm hoping to make this a lifetime career
for myself

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just because of how varied
the work is and again, the incredible people.

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It's an experience like no other.

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And I'm hoping that I can move up
through the ranks

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and experience different types of units

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and really make sure I'm the most
well-rounded HRA that I can be,

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and be able to provide the support
to my to-be subordinates

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like I was supported
when I came up through the ranks.