The London group touring RMC Saint-Jean on the Canadian Forces Influencer Tour.

When I arrived in Saint-Jean, Quebec on October 30 for the Canadian Forces Influencer Tour, I'll admit my knowledge of our military was slim to none. Having just graduated from college and university, I was surprised that I didn't really know anything about Royal Military College, Basic Training, or career opportunities in the military. The thought of going to military school — especially as a woman — never crossed my mind. This is one of the reasons that the Canadian Forces brought individuals that have an impact on students together from across the country: to teach us what a life in the military is really like.

We stayed at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School (CFLRS) in Saint-Jean where the recruits complete their Basic Military Qualification (BMQ). BMQ is mandatory for all members of the military. It's a 14- week training program that covers everything from physical fitness to weapons training. For Maria De Graca, a member of the Association of Black Law Enforcers, it was an eye-opener. "(I have) tremendous respect for the Canadian Forces. I always had tremendous respect for them, being a fellow law enforcer, but just to see the day-to-day regimented activities that the new recruits and the students aged 17 and 16 go through, it's such an extensive five years and beyond."

The first morning in our dorms I was awakened by recruits yelling unison responses to their Platoon Commander. The group was completing their Morning Physical Training at about 0500 hours — 5 a.m. I watched curiously from my window as the recruits marched in perfect sequence and completed a variety of physical tasks.

That day, we took a tour of the fitness facilities, learned about physical requirements, and took a tour of the Farnham Training Base. We watched recruits complete an intense obstacle course that included a climb out of a seven-foot deep trench. The group doesn't leave an obstacle until each member has completed it, stressing the importance of working as a team. At Farnham, recruits will also face "real-life" emergency scenarios that feature hired actors and Hollywood-style make-up for injuries! They endure little sleep and must respond to situations at all hours of the night.

The first two nights featured information sessions that taught the 'influencers' about the opportunities for students. Gabriela Wells, a guidance counsellor at Catholic Central High School in London, felt a lot more informed after the trip. "It made things really clear. We can actually tell these students who have an interest in the Armed Forces really what goes on and the different routes available. That was really important, that was key," she said. She added there was a lot of valuable information, "for example, I learned that there are only about 15 careers in the military that you have to go overseas. So a lot of kids and parents who are worried about their kids signing up for the Forces, I can now explain to them that some of these careers will never be overseas."

There are several different routes and programs students can take. One option is going to Royal Military College — there's one in Kingston and one in Saint-Jean. This route introduces you to the life of the military. The students' lives are very structured and include scheduled workouts, study time and classes. Their schooling is entirely paid for and they receive a salary as well. We had the opportunity to meet and have lunch with current students at RMC Saint- Jean, a very rewarding experience for the influencers.

"My favourite part was seeing the students and talking to them," said Da Graca. "They had fears and they thought they were alone and they probably would've wanted to run home, but then they noticed that everyone was in the same boat. The individual that I spoke to said she was nervous, she's a little overweight, she's an introvert; the reason why she's here is because her mother and her grandfather were in the military. She came this way because it seemed like an easier stream as opposed to just jumping in." The young recruit sent Da Graca a valuable message: "When she looked around, she thought she was the weakest link, but as the course went on, people had their own areas they had to struggle with, and she said, 'That's what brought us all together.' What a message she's sending with a simple statement like that. Here's a child that throws herself into something that's challenging and by the end of it she realizes it's not about being an individual, but being a part of a larger sum: a community."

Later that day, we learned how to shoot a rifle in the Small Arms Training Simulator. The technology is amazing; it's basically like a very in-depth video game, but it tracks everything from accuracy to the exact movement of the guns before and after a shot. After the simulator, we were given a demonstration of first-aid training in a real-life scenario. For Wells, this is where the reality began to sink in. "It's all great and dandy when you see all these wonderful things, they pay for your schooling, you get a good salary, but really we went full circle. The last day there was a mock safety first-aid scenario and there you see the soldiers that are 'injured'... and that could be one of your students that you recommended. So I think what's really important is that it's gotta come from the students. You can't try to change someone's mind or try to convince these kids that that's the best route for them."

The combination of information sessions and seeing first-hand what the military schools are like really taught the influencers what options are really out there for our youth. "Everybody's changed," said Da Graca. "Everyone who's seen what these guys do, I'm sure they've changed their perspective and they're going to champion this cause."