(Pictured above: South Grenville District High School student Taylor Hutchcroft handles a Canadian Forces C7 rifle Thursday at the Brock Challenge. Private Andrew Robertson-Hart, left, talks to her about the specifications of the weapon.)  

(Brockville) – Students from nine high schools within the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) got a taste of the military life Thursday during the third annual Brock Challenge.

The grades 10-12 students visited the Brockville Armoury to learn about the Board’s Military Co-operative Education Program and what life could be like as a reservist with the Canadian Armed Forces.  The students were led through a variety of demonstration stations organized by graduates of the current military co-op program including: basic first aid, infantry weaponry, the weapons range simulator, physical fitness, soldier’s kit, and outdoor equipment.

The day was organized by the UCDSB and the Brockville Rifles to expose students to the opportunities available through the program, said Jim Palmer, UCDSB Education Co-ordinator for Grades 7-12. It also allowed current military co-op students to demonstrate the skills needed to gain their co-operative education credits such as organizational ability and competency, as well as punctuality.

“For a student considering whether or not they might be interested in a military career the Challenge was an excellent way to get a taste for it and to decide whether or not they want to sign up,” said Palmer.  “For the students organizing it, it was an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and the many skills they have obtained through this program.”

At the weapons range simulator, students learned how to handle the Canadian Forces C7 rifle through a variety of scenarios displayed on what amounted to a giant video game designed to teach soldier’s weapons skills without having to take them to a traditional outdoor range.

At the physical fitness station, the students learned what kind of physical training they will undergo should they join the program.  Students formed teams and performed exercises such as fireman’s carries and leg lifts, and had to lug an “injured comrade” across the armoury front lawn and back on a stretcher.

At the first aid station, they learned a variety of techniques such as how to splint a broken arm and apply pressure to stanch the flow of blood from a wound.  At the kit station, students were taught about the many items a young soldier must carry on patrol, while at the weapons station they handled unloaded automatic rifles, light machine guns and other weapons used by reservists.

Students such as 17-year-old Taylor Hutchcroft were excited about the opportunity to sign up for the program.

“This program teaches you discipline, confidence, leadership – many of the skills you will really need in life,” she said.

“And I think it will be gratifying to get through it.  There’s no doubt it will be tough but it’s great because if you can get through this you can get through a lot of things.”

Upper Canada District School Board students who attended the day came from eight schools: North Grenville District High School, Rideau District High School, Perth and District Collegiate Institute, Carleton Place High School, Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute, Thousand Islands Secondary School, South Grenville District High School, Athens District High School and Seaway District High School.

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For more information, please call:

Jim Palmer

UCDSB Education Co-ordinator

Grades 7-12

613-342-0371 ext. 1283