On the sixth weekend, we had two big exams. One on Saturday morning and one on Sunday morning. The first was a written one on all the theory we had seen that far. It was pretty easy. Nobody failed. I got 100%. The second one was a practical on marching drill. Drill is my weakness and the exam made me nervous. Just when I was about to do the exam, one of the staff members told me that one of my laces was undone. I did't hear what he said at first, so I asked "What was that?" without terminating my question with his rank nor coming to attention while speaking. Because of that, I was told to go back in line and do my exam after everybody else had done so. When I came around again, things got worst. When I was marching, I was told to turn to one side but, because of the acoustics of the drill hall, I didn't hear whether it was left or right. I turned left (50% chance of being correct), but I had been asked to turn right. Then my marching got all out of sync to a ridiculous point. All that would have been bad enough but was made worst by the fact that all my fellow trainees had already completed their exam and were now staring at me bombing mine. That was the lowest point of my basic training. I, along with seven other recruits, failed that first pass. We had remedial training that day and did the test again. We eventually all passed. Essentially, the system is "rigged" so that nobody can fail. So I really didn't feel too hot not to have passed at my first attempt.
The seventh weekend, we had our weapon handling test. I feel confident with the rifle, so this exam did not make me nervous. However, during the exam itself, I forgot one safety precaution for one procedure. That's an automatic fail. So, again, I had to do a second pass before I successfully completed the exam. That safety precaution is now forever ingrained in my mind. Later that day, I read and signed my progress report from the previous week (which, after the drill incident, was bound to be bad). Again, not the best weekend. That Saturday, we were let go for the night as the unit where training is conducted was holding some dinner event. Six of us from our section rented a suite nearby. This was way more comfortable than sleeping in a cot in the armoury. The next day, we learned about chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear warfare. We now have to wear our gas mask pouch on us at all times. Whenever an instructor yells out "Gas! Gas! Gas!", we have to put our gas mask on (and our full hazmat "bunny suit" if we have it around too). At the end of the day, while in such a simulated gas attack, we were told to bring our gear back to a specified room. Then, when we did just that, we were asked who told us that the gas was clear and we were ordered to put the full gear back on. Basically, the staff was toying with us. The staff was yelling at us like a bunch of mad dogs. I had a master corporal barking right at me while I was donning my gear. It was a somewhat stressful way to end the weekend.
The eighth weekend, we went to the Jericho garrison for our training as the armoury where we usually train was holding another event. Because of that, we didn't have training on Friday night. We came in at 7:30, had breakfast and did two written exams. Then, we spent the whole day learning the theory of land navigation with a map and compass. We were let go around 17:00 and were allowed to go sleep back home. The next day was much the same. However, on Sunday, I was course senior. That means that it was my turn to be the liaison between the students and the staff. That's normally a position that comes added responsibilities and stress. However, given that we were not in our usual armoury, we didn't have to do station duties (such as cleaning tables, the bathrooms and the floors) and the members of the staff I had to deal with were very relaxed. I got off easy.
On the ninth weekend, we went close to Chilliwack (about an hour and a half east of Vancouver) to practice land navigation in a wooded setting. We slept in big tents holding short of 20 people each. Saturday morning, we had an overview of some field equipment such as gas stoves and lamps and some information on field hygiene. There are no showers on the field, so that changes one's approach to cleanliness somewhat. The rest of the day and evening was spent doing navigation. The weather could not have been better. Warm, sunny day followed by a clear, moonlit night. We saw many deer. It felt like a vacation of sorts. Before going to bed, we were shown a white phosphorous flare and told how it could be used to zone in on enemies trying to approach a camp. The next day, we went to a gas hut to get tear-gased. This exercised was to gauge our ability to use the gas mask and gear. We went in three times. The first time just to confirm that we donned the gear on properly. The second time to test drinking with a gas mask on (through a special tube that connects to our canteen) and replacing our mask's canister. The third time was a bit more interesting. It involved us walking in the gas hut without our mask on and putting it on only once we started feeling the effects of the tear gas. For the first five seconds, it didn't affect me that much. Then, just as I was beginning to think I might be immune to the effects, it hit me like a ton of bricks. It really hurt. Imagine having wasabi stuffed down your nose and eyes. That's what it felt like. Opening my eyes was close to impossible. I fumbled a bit because of the pain and put my mask on. With the mask on, it took about five minutes before the pain dissipated. That was quite the experience. After the gas hut, we headed back to Vancouver and unloaded the truck that carried the material we used on the field. While doing that, a very beautiful mother came and asked us if she could take a picture of us with her two children. We obliged. Actually, downtown, many people took pictures of us. Finally, I took the bus back home. On it, a weirdo started talking to me. The uniform attracts attention. It also bounds you to be polite and considerate beyond reproach as it represents the Canadian Forces. Because of that, I had to chat with the individual on the bus.
