On Saturday, every Canadian Army Reserve unit across the country opened their doors to the public.
In Saskatoon, the Sergeant Hugh Cairns VC Armoury on Idylwyld Drive had everything from simulated target practice to ration sampling, offering a taste of what army life is like.
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“It’s encouraging reserve recruitment across the entire country,” said Lt. Joe Young, with the North Saskatchewan Regiment.
Veronica Strykowski is a Grade 11 student, and attended the open house with her mom, Terri.
“I’m really interested in serving my country, and I want to be a part because I think that’s really cool. Some of my family has in the past and I think it would be really cool,” Veronica said.
Veronica is looking into studying psychology at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ont.
This is the first time that every Canadian Army Armoury was open to the public all on the same day.
The event is part of the Canadian Army’s overall effort to recruit new members, in order to grow the Army Reserve.
The federal government wants to increase the Reserve Force to 30,000, an increase of 1,500 members. The Canadian Army is also reducing the length of time required for a person to join the Reserve Force, to 30 days.
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“The reserves really serve a unique role within their communities, and the idea that they’re men and women from the community. They serve in their local community. They’re not posted, necessarily to other parts of Canada,” Young said.
There are 123 Canadian Army Reserve units in over 100 communities across Canada.