WEBVTT 00:00:05.463 --> 00:00:07.924 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:63% I'm Sergeant Jason Girard from Maniwaki, Quebec. 00:00:07.924 --> 00:00:11.469 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% I'm an Infanteer posted at the Canadian Armed Forces Infantry School in Gagetown. 00:00:16.266 --> 00:00:20.103 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% Infanteers are the primary combat fighters in the Canadian Army. 00:00:20.103 --> 00:00:22.939 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:125% Their role is to close with and destroy the enemy. 00:00:22.939 --> 00:00:25.942 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% Working on the front lines, they form the backbone of the Army. 00:00:26.693 --> 00:00:29.446 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:98% You have to be in great physical shape. 00:00:29.446 --> 00:00:31.740 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:120% Mentally, I'd say you have to be mentally tough. 00:00:31.740 --> 00:00:35.577 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% General leadership skills, either natural or you build on them, 00:00:35.577 --> 00:00:38.913 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:113% quick decision-making skills and initiative - 00:00:38.913 --> 00:00:43.042 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% those are probably the general backbone of what you need to be a good general infantry soldier. 00:00:43.793 --> 00:00:49.215 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% This exciting job includes mounted operations working out of a LAV 6 light armoured vehicle; 00:00:49.215 --> 00:00:51.509 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:93% airborne operations like parachuting; 00:00:51.509 --> 00:00:56.848 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% operating high-tech equipment or firing a multitude of powerful weapons systems, 00:00:56.848 --> 00:01:00.810 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% as well as driving and maintaining both soft-skinned and armoured vehicles. 00:01:01.311 --> 00:01:03.480 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:83% I've gone through a lot of cool stuff in my career, 00:01:03.480 --> 00:01:06.274 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% and then I've done a lot of challenges that have brought me 00:01:06.274 --> 00:01:09.068 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% to a higher level of physical and mental preparations. 00:01:09.611 --> 00:01:12.781 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% The infantry is the tip of the spear on the battlefield. 00:01:12.781 --> 00:01:15.492 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% They conduct raids and ambushes in a combat mission 00:01:15.492 --> 00:01:20.413 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% or conduct patrols and convoy escorts as part of security and stability missions. 00:01:20.413 --> 00:01:22.248 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:58% This is a hands-on job. 00:01:22.248 --> 00:01:26.628 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% Infanteers are trained to fight in cities, deserts jungles, the Arctic - 00:01:26.628 --> 00:01:30.048 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% or any other environment they are called upon to operate in. 00:01:30.048 --> 00:01:32.759 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% And Infanteers are trained to do more than just fight. 00:01:32.759 --> 00:01:36.721 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% They deploy across the country to help Canadians combat forest fires, 00:01:36.721 --> 00:01:39.057 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:90% floods, and other natural disasters. 00:01:40.099 --> 00:01:44.646 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% Standing proud for Canada as an Infanteer comes with a rich history of battle honours 00:01:44.646 --> 00:01:47.106 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:90% embodied in every Canadian regiment. 00:01:47.106 --> 00:01:49.692 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:70% They have a strong tradition of overcoming obstacles 00:01:49.692 --> 00:01:52.695 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% and some of the greatest challenges on the battlefield. 00:01:52.695 --> 00:01:57.075 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% Physical fitness and mental resiliency are two critical traits for Infanteers, 00:01:57.075 --> 00:02:00.119 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% who may work in harsh conditions that demand precise action. 00:02:02.163 --> 00:02:04.499 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:70% Whatever you're going to do, go do it and do it hard. 00:02:04.499 --> 00:02:09.546 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% Anything you try, never give up and push even harder than you think you would, or could, 00:02:09.546 --> 00:02:12.257 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% because that's going to bring you to greater victories and greater skills. 00:02:21.224 --> 00:02:23.726 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:108% My coolest experience was in recon platoon. 00:02:24.769 --> 00:02:28.982 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% You're kind of trying to determine the most likely course of action of an enemy, 00:02:28.982 --> 00:02:33.528 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% so that we can paint a very clear picture for the infantry when they come in and they do an attack, 00:02:33.528 --> 00:02:35.363 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:83% so they don't have any surprises. 00:02:35.363 --> 00:02:37.448 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% And we're just trying to guarantee their success. 00:02:47.834 --> 00:02:53.381 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% Once trade-qualified, Infanteers are posted to an Infantry battalion at bases across Canada. 00:02:55.091 --> 00:02:57.927 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:78% Reservists in this role will return to their home units 00:02:57.927 --> 00:03:00.638 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% where they continue their training on a part-time basis. 00:03:02.724 --> 00:03:06.978 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% Soldiers are assigned to one of three rifle sections in a platoon, 00:03:06.978 --> 00:03:11.858 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% where they continue to build their skills through in-garrison training and field exercises 00:03:11.858 --> 00:03:15.945 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% and by completing additional courses, working to make their unit the best it can be. 00:03:17.113 --> 00:03:19.866 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% Well, I had the opportunity, as soon as I finished up all my training, 00:03:19.866 --> 00:03:22.994 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:98% to get deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. 00:03:22.994 --> 00:03:25.413 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:113% I was there for almost a 10-month deployment. 00:03:25.413 --> 00:03:30.460 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% Generally, I had a pretty good attitude about it, even with all the evolving situation, 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:32.921 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:98% and walking the unknown the whole time. 00:03:32.921 --> 00:03:34.964 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:105% It was just a great experience altogether. 00:03:35.965 --> 00:03:40.762 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% Battalions that are not deploying overseas participate in field training and exercises 00:03:40.762 --> 00:03:44.724 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% to ensure they stay mission-ready, keeping their warfighting skills at a high level. 00:03:56.527 --> 00:03:58.696 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:85% There is no life like in the Army. 00:03:58.696 --> 00:04:01.491 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:83% It's its own little world, I mean, we have our own dynamics, 00:04:01.491 --> 00:04:05.328 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% and our own way of doing things, and just our own kind of team spirit - 00:04:05.328 --> 00:04:08.081 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% esprit de corps is just different from anything else 00:04:08.081 --> 00:04:10.333 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:100% you're ever going to live anywhere else.