Time to Relax!

Man!!! Times here in St-Jean couldn’t be better. We have all just completed our missions and have pretty much passed this course. It’s a nice feeling knowing that you have accomplished something; it is also a nice feeling to know that you’ve come so far.

Oh yeah, for those who don’t know after the end of my first year at RMC, I returned to the (dreaded) MEGA in St-Jean. It’s the place where we (military members) start our careers. I was already here once before for IAP (Initial Assessment Period) for nine weeks (of hell). That was last year. This year I have returned to complete the second phase of my training, BOTP (Basic Officer Training Period). It’s a five week course filled with different subjects. These include mission planning, qualities of an officer, suicide intervention, morale, lesson planning and practical teaching, formal writing, risk analysis, and a whole bunch of other stuff. One week is spent in the field (when I mean “in the field” I mean in the bush for five days without a shower). There we take command of a syndicate, receive orders, and accomplish the mission. What seems like a simple task actually ends up extremely complicated. I’ would love to tell you what the missions are like, but for the sake of future officers and secrecy, I won’t (can’t) tell you.

So this is our last weekend before the last week. Here we are just chilling out. We (as in my platoon) have weekend leave passes. This means we can all put on civilian clothes and go to St-Jean, Montreal, or anywhere close by. I would have loved to visit Montreal again (I haven’t seen that city since I arrived) but I was way too fatigued to have much fun. This will change though. Once this course is over, I’m heading down to Montreal and hopping on a bus to Ottawa to see my family and friends I have there. Honestly, a year ago I never would have thought that I would be traveling so much or having the ability to do so many things. It’s kind of like I gave up some freedoms and received others. Anyways, I’m doing what I can to enjoy my summer. After this course, I will be attending a seven week course of pure French classes. Yum.

Me, needing lots of sleep

My fire-team partner Ali (In a Brazil outfit)

The daily section meeting

Not caring about the section meeting

Thomas, last year's fire team partner

Travis relaxing

Travis spending his money on a new tatoo

Former sergent Kelly, passed out due to the heat

Raven and his shirt

Ben phoning home

Leif playing a little Age of Empires

Kris playing Sudoku

I just got myself a new digital camera! It’s a FujiFilm FinePix A500 Digital Camera. I must admit, it’s a great camera for such a small price. At less then $300 I got a 5.1 megapixel camera, tripod, carrying case, four batteries with a re-charger, all the little cables, and a 256 MB memory card that I bought separately. Before this camera, I either got my pictures for this blog from my friend’s camera or from a disposable 35 mm. Now I can put some much better, more personal pictures on this page.

Oh yeah. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!! Dad, you have been a great supporter to whatever I did in life. I don’t know what my life would have turned out like if you had not been there. You’ve been an awesome father.

On another note, yesterday marked my first full year in the military. Sweet.

Happy but sore,

Michael

PS: I’ll add some pictures of the field once I get my disposable camera pictures developed.