VIDEO: In reserve: Saskatchewan’s civilian soldiers

“The reservist is the citizen soldier. He has a full-time job somewhere, he has family commitments, he plays hockey, and then on top of all that, he wants to do a reserve commitment for his country,” explained Lt.-Col. Vic Sattler, commanding officer of the Royal Regina Rifles.

The Rifles invited News Talk Radio, along with several dozen of the part-time soldiers, for a weekend of skill sharpening with other reservists from around Saskatchewan.

“We are really a tight family. We live together, we sleep together, we stress out together and we de-stress together as well,” said Sattler.

These army reservists are waiting to be called out to battle or for emergency relief. As a result, training weekends such as this are needed.

“It’s a good test for yourself to kind of see a little bit of what you’re made of and something completely different and totally new. Test yourself and push yourself. See how far you can go,” stated Cpl. Deacon Yathon.

Yathon has been with the Rifles for the last two-and-a-half years, joining on the recommendation of a good friend. Outside of the reservist unit, Yathon is a University of Regina student.

“During the week I go to school and here it’s a lot different where I can carry around a gun all day.”

Capt. Nicholas Bonderoff is with 38 Combat Engineer Regiment based in Saskatoon. On weekdays, he works for Mosaic Potash as an engineer. But now he’s decked out in his camouflage uniform, complete with green and black paint colouring his face. Bonderoff said before he became a reservist five years ago, he had to answer some very real questions.

“Someone looks you in the face and asks you pretty much straight up if you have to shoot someone, are you ok with that, and you kind of think to yourself. Am I OK with that?”

Soldiers participate in mock battles with real weapons, firing blanks. Each scenario is carefully planned and executed. Afterwards, reservists gather together for a briefing as senior members go over the exercise and relay on to troops what improvements can be made.

Sometimes the soldiers have to be reminded that if mistakes are made in real life, they’d be dead. That grim reality doesn’t seem to faze them.

“This is fun stuff. It’s challenging. It’s tiring. There’s stressful moments. All those things wrapped up into a really high power weekend. The guys love it,” said Sattler.

Besides gunfire, reservists also deal with explosives, including the Bangalore Torpedo. A demonstration was held just as the sun was setting. Five torpedoes were set up to show how the explosion can aid troops in removing barriers. As the devices are detonated, a flicker of light illuminates the dusk sky. Seconds later, the blast finds its way to your ears.

“If you’ve ever watched Saving Private Ryan and that opening scene where they breach the wire obstacles on the Beaches of Normandy, it’s pretty much identical,” Bonderoff explained.

At night, with snow still on the ground and winds howling with barely any cover from the elements, soldiers camp out in tents. Meals like beef stroganoff and baked beans are eaten out of pre-packaged bags.

“Best job I ever had,” admitted Cpl. Auston Phongsavath.

After spending most of the weekend engaging in gunfire, Phongsavath had the opportunity to learn how to set claymore mines — land explosives that are command detonated.

Asked why he spends his time this way, the corporal responded how his family played a big role.

“My family were refugees from a pretty war torn country, Laos, Southeast Asia, and I felt like serving in uniform is the least I could do for Canada,” he said. “I feel like I have a duty out there. I just feel like I’m not getting anything done here.”

Phongsavath likes it so much he has his transfer in to do it full time.

“It’s hard but I probably feel better now than after a long day at a normal desk job.”

“We’re more than just a job. We’re a bit of a lifestyle choice. We’re adventure training, weird and wonderful skill sets,” said Sattler.

He said Rifles are required to put in a minimum of three hours each week of training. Right now the unit has 70 members with Sattler’s preference to see that double.

There’s a very real possibility reservists might get called into action and those training in Dundurn seem to embrace that. Some soldiers admitted they’d be nervous yet excited at the same time.

“My buddies, we go through the training and we don’t want to do it for nothing. We all want to do our part and have our time,” insisted Yathon.

At the same time, Yathon said it’s nice not to be married to the reserves. He enjoys the fact he can still live an outside life.

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by Kevin Martel

VIDEO: In reserve: Saskatchewan’s civilian soldiers

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