Lieutenant Chris Young is originally from Bay Roberts, Newfoundland. He joined the communications reserves at 18 when his parents moved to Halifax.
“The military offers a very structured work environment. I know it’s helped me immensely in being a teacher,” said Young, who did a voluntary tour in Bosnia in 2000/2001.
When he returned he was promoted to master corporal and ended up teaching several communications/trades related courses, leadership courses and basic training courses.
“I love it. It’s not like I have a whole lot of spare time as a teacher, but I really enjoy this.”
Young trains once a week on Tuesday evenings and also turns out for administrative evenings one night a month.
Recruits have the option of joining as a non-commissioned officer or as an officer.
Young began as a non-commissioned officer then switched to commissioned. He’s now taking an unpaid leave of absence in order to train in Gagetown for a month to become a qualified artillery officer.
Several members have chosen to join the regular forces over the past few years, he says.
“It is a pretty easy lateral move to make as I understand,” he said.
The military offers a very structured work environment. I know it’s helped me immensely in being a teacher. - Lieutenant Chris Young, a Grade 7 English teacher at Maple Grove Educational Centre.
Military blood flows through his veins. His grandfather was a World War Two veteran for the Royal Navy. Although the disciplined life may be difficult for some who balk at taking orders from others, Young says its worth it.
“I don’t know anybody that has a job where nobody tells them what to do.”
“This is a really great bunch of people. It’s my fourth reserve unit and this is the closest knit unit I’ve had the privilege of working with. It’s almost like a second family,” he said.
