Winkler High School Student Reflects On Military Experience "It's Changed How I Do Things" (VIDEO)

Winkler student Adina Klassen fulfilled a life-long dream this year by taking part in a military coop program.

"I've always wanted to join the military, it's always something I've been interested in... when the opportunity came up my immediate thought was, "I have to do this.'"

Local high school students experienced life in the military as part of a new program at Garden Valley Collegiate (GVC) and Northlands Parkway Collegiate (NPC). Students earned two high school credits while participating in basic training for the primary reserves of the Canadian Armed Forces and were paid approximately $6,000 over the course of the semester.

GVC teacher and Army Major Mark Wilson explains the program ran for the afternoon and one evening a week in Portage. Students also spent one weekend a month performing exercises with their troop at the base.

In total, 16 students from GVC, Northlands Parkway Collegiate, and Portage Collegiate took part.

"It was a good opportunity to see what the military was like," Klassen says. "It was also a good way to make friends and learn what I'm capable of doing and what it means to do what's right."

As part of the program, students are sworn into the military, which includes an oath and a formal commitment to protect Canada while demonstrating the qualities of "integrity, loyalty, courage, honesty, fairness, and responsibility, putting service before self."

Klassen says while the experience wasn't always easy, she could see herself and her peers growing as young men and women.

"We knew yes it might be hard sometimes," she explains. "But we were doing it because once we've moved on from our training we can go on tours and help people... We can help with fires and floods. Once we have the training we have the qualifications to go and make a difference. That's what we were all fighting for."

The lasting impact was apparent immediately after graduating, Klassen says, adding she recommends the program to other students.

"It was definitely not high school, there were some in-your-face moments, but it was a really good learning experience," Klassen says. "Even now I manage my time better, I don't procrastinate, when someone asks me to do something I do it right away and quickly... it's changed how I do things."

Klassen encourages others to consider the training in the future, "you're never going to regret it."

She notes the experience has reinforced her desire to pursue a military career in the future.