Last month, I had the opportunity to visit Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden, in Borden, Ontario, to participate in a program called “ExecuTrek,” which is offered through the Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC). During my visit to Camp Borden, I saw and experienced a great deal of the training and preparation our reservists receive in preparation to serve our country.

The Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC) is a national organization comprised of senior executives within the private and public sectors who volunteer their time to encourage employer support for the Reserve Force. The CFLC aims to increase awareness amongst organizations to demonstrate how they can benefit by employing reservists and to take advantage of the unique leadership training reservists receive. Each year, ExecuTrek excursions are organized that help educate employers of the special needs that reservists have to enable them to fulfill their military obligations and training needs.

An ExecuTrek excursion includes a trip to a military base or unit to observe members of Canada’s Reserve Force in action. Employers are given the opportunity to not only observe reservists, but to directly speak to them to better understand and appreciate their unique skills.

Participants in ExecuTrek are also given the opportunity to actually experience some of the training that reservists receive. During my ExecuTrek excursion, I participated in a confidence course, which tests physical fitness and focus on meeting objectives. I also visited range and training areas, viewed an armoured vehicle, and rode in a personnel carrier. Following a traditional field lunch, I received a briefing on the aerospace engineering training that is conducted by the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE). Each of these activities substantially increased my knowledge and understanding of the tremendous leadership, excellent management and problem-solving skills, and team spirit that our Canadian reservists possess. I also learned that our Canadian reservists are loyal, dedicated, highly motivated, and their unique and specialized skills are adaptable to every environment.

My ExecuTrek excursion was an outstanding experience. I sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council for extending this great opportunity to me and all of those representing the public and private sectors. We all left with a much better awareness of the remarkable talents and many skills our reservists contribute to the Canadian Forces and the significant role they play in Canada’s Reserve Army, Navy, and Air Force.