WEBVTT

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- I'm Corporal Kristen Chatterton
from Nackawic, New Brunswick,

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a Materials Technician currently posted
at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.

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(narrator): Materials Technicians
- or Mat Techs for short -

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are the fabricators of the Canadian Army.

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They have the skills to repair or fabricate items

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so that land-based equipment
can perform to its optimal level,

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both in training and on deployed operations.

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Mat Techs are agile and able to conduct
mobile repairs to vehicles and shelters

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in any environment, from the Northern Arctic
to a desert location.

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Their jobs can have them
making repairs on the frontlines.

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- At one point, I could be welding on a tank,

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and the next point, I could be in the textile shop

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sewing on a mod tent, a modular tent.

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The range of things that we do in our shop
is endless honestly,

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and we have every tool you can possibly think of

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to actually accomplish all those jobs.

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(narrator): "Arte et Marte"
- By Skill and By Fighting - is their motto.

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They are soldiers first,
and they train to be prepared for anything.

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Mat Techs develop skills in welding,

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machining, plasma arc cutting,

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sheet metal work, auto body repair
and refinishing,

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as well as spray painting.

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They work with metals and composites

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such as the armour and internal protection
on armoured vehicles,

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on life-saving equipment like gasmasks,

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as well as with fabrics such as canvas and PVC
for military shelter systems.

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- If I were to go
to the civilian workforce right now,

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I would have to either be a welder
or I'd have to be a seamstress,

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or I'd have to be a fabricator.

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Within the Materials Technician trade,
you have all those together.

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Definitely the coolest part
of the job for me is welding.

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I mean, you get to burn stuff
and you make it back up to bigger and better.

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When someone comes in and they bring you something

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and they say it can't be fixed,
well, you know you can fix it.

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You have all the opportunities
and all the tools,

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all the knowledge,
and you absolutely can fix anything.

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(narrator): Once they complete
their initial training,

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Materials Technicians are posted
to one of the many Canadian Armed Forces bases

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across the country where they will undergo
about 18 months of additional on-the-job training

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under the supervision
of more experienced colleagues.

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- The qualities that I feel you would
need to have as a Materials Technician

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is drive, passion, the "willing to learn".

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It's okay if you make mistakes
because that's how you actually get better.

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If you're just willing to learn
and you come with a great attitude and positivity,

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we can teach you everything else.

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(narrator): As their career progresses,

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Mat Techs may have the opportunity
to pursue advanced training

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in areas like advanced machining and welding,

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military bridging inspection,
and sea container inspection.

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- Being a part of the military,
you're able to be physically fit as well,

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and you have those opportunities
to go on to other avenues of physical fitness.

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So for myself, I have played on Team Canada
women's football.

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I was able to go to Finland in 2012.

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I was able to represent Team Canada
in British Columbia in 2017.

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And it was probably one of the best experiences
I've had in my life with a great group of people.