Becoming an instructor – a crucial trade in the Canadian Armed Forces

March 2, 2022 - Defence Stories

Instructor of the year, Sgt Alex Vézina

Each year, a Master Sailor/Master Corporal and Petty Officer Second Class/Sergeant is presented the instructor of the year award for proving to have been role models for candidates and their peers in the incarnation and application of the instructor’s creed; portrait of the atypical path of one of the 2022 recipients, Sgt Alex Vézina.

Sgt Vézina chose to enlist as an infantry soldier in 2012 and made the jump to Western Canada to land at CFB Wainwright for the infantry course and join the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). This decision will force him to double his efforts to prove himself to his brothers and sisters in arms of the PPCLI and he will have managed to meet the challenge between 2013 and 2020 with determination, rigour and an ever-present desire to push his capabilities.

Taking on New Challenges at CFLRS

Feeling ready for a new challenge outside of his trade area, Sgt Vézina left Edmonton to become an instructor at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School (CFLRS). He volunteered, seeing within the unit of the Saint-Jean garrison an opportunity to develop new skills and to help the new generation of CAF members in their transition from civilian to military life. It is an opportunity to help build character, set the standard and pass on years of experience in the uniform to a new generation that is eager to learn. As a family man, he could also appreciate the stability that an assignment on the south shore of Montreal allows and did not hesitate to make this decision.

By learning about CFLRS, the candidates and the instructor trade, Sgt Vézina was fortunate to experience extraordinarily human moments, to see the positive impact the trade can have, not only on the candidates' future military careers, but also on their personal life outside the uniform. There are many stories of the positive impacts and concrete contributions that the profession has on the lives of young women and men who walk through the doors of CFLRS.

Being a Successful Instructor

It goes without saying that success is a reward for the great qualities possessed by instructors. What distinguishes Sergeant Vézina from the others: his high standards, his rigour, respect, being firm and fair and receptive to learn as much as the candidates. By setting excessively high standards for himself, he is leading by example and establishing a high base line to which candidates submit themselves.

Choosing the Path Less Taken

At CFLRS, every day is different and presents new challenges. At CFLRS, the experience is different from battalions, different from regiments, different from other trade units in the Canadian Armed Forces. At CFLRS, we help raise the standards of the Canadian Forces, we develop in terms of leadership, communication and teamwork. Finally, at CFLRS, we are meeting challenges that prepare us even more for the future.