- I'm Corporal Kristen Chatterton from Nackawic, New Brunswick,
a Materials Technician currently posted at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.
(narrator): Materials Technicians - or Mat Techs for short -
are the fabricators of the Canadian Army.
They have the skills to repair or fabricate items
so that land-based equipment can perform to its optimal level,
both in training and on deployed operations.
Mat Techs are agile and able to conduct mobile repairs to vehicles and shelters
in any environment, from the Northern Arctic to a desert location.
Their jobs can have them making repairs on the frontlines.
- At one point, I could be welding on a tank,
and the next point, I could be in the textile shop
sewing on a mod tent, a modular tent.
The range of things that we do in our shop is endless honestly,
and we have every tool you can possibly think of
to actually accomplish all those jobs.
(narrator): "Arte et Marte" - By Skill and By Fighting - is their motto.
They are soldiers first, and they train to be prepared for anything.
Mat Techs develop skills in welding,
machining, plasma arc cutting,
sheet metal work, auto body repair and refinishing,
as well as spray painting.
They work with metals and composites
such as the armour and internal protection on armoured vehicles,
on life-saving equipment like gasmasks,
as well as with fabrics such as canvas and PVC for military shelter systems.
- If I were to go to the civilian workforce right now,
I would have to either be a welder or I'd have to be a seamstress,
or I'd have to be a fabricator.
Within the Materials Technician trade, you have all those together.
Definitely the coolest part of the job for me is welding.
I mean, you get to burn stuff and you make it back up to bigger and better.
When someone comes in and they bring you something
and they say it can't be fixed, well, you know you can fix it.
You have all the opportunities and all the tools,
all the knowledge, and you absolutely can fix anything.
(narrator): Once they complete their initial training,
Materials Technicians are posted to one of the many Canadian Armed Forces bases
across the country where they will undergo about 18 months of additional on-the-job training
under the supervision of more experienced colleagues.
- The qualities that I feel you would need to have as a Materials Technician
is drive, passion, the "willing to learn".
It's okay if you make mistakes because that's how you actually get better.
If you're just willing to learn and you come with a great attitude and positivity,
we can teach you everything else.
(narrator): As their career progresses,
Mat Techs may have the opportunity to pursue advanced training
in areas like advanced machining and welding,
military bridging inspection, and sea container inspection.
- Being a part of the military, you're able to be physically fit as well,
and you have those opportunities to go on to other avenues of physical fitness.
So for myself, I have played on Team Canada women's football.
I was able to go to Finland in 2012.
I was able to represent Team Canada in British Columbia in 2017.
And it was probably one of the best experiences I've had in my life with a great group of people.