Naval Experience Program a “huge win” for S3 Kevin Hassa

Where are you, where are you from?

I'm actually from the mainland over here in Burnaby.

Close to home. So it’s exciting for me. And I, I mean, I'll probably ask you this again, but like, had you always considered the navy? Yeah, that's the one that I always wanted to work for. My father was in the navy that kind of influenced me to kind of go that way too.

So why don't we just start with saying your name and your rank and where you're from?

So I'm a sailor, third class Hasan. I'm from Burnaby, British Columbia. And how did you hear about the naval experience program? Actually, I wanted to join the Reserves first back at home. So my home unit is discovery and this was back in November and they just mentioned that there was a new program and, you know, they mentioned a bunch of stuff and that, it seems interesting. So I signed up for it and then I ended up being the first one and just went through the whole thing and now I'm here. What was the application process like for you? It was pretty fast. So I just had to, you know, fill out like everybody else does and in a couple of months, so in December and then all of a sudden in June, I went to basic training in St. John and then now I'm here. So you did your basic training in St John. What was that like for you? The basic training was actually really fun. It was, I kind of expected it to be that way, but at the same time I had a little twist on it from what I thought it was. So it's nothing like the movies really and, and so on. But it was a good experience. I made lots of friends there and some of them actually came here with me. So I still have that bond there.

What was the hardest part of the basic training for you? Hm, I’d say maybe the hardest part was just waking up in the morning and, you know, getting on with the next day, but every day was different. So it was really fun. I learned a lot of stuff there. What time would you start your days? The day started at five. And what time would it end? The days would end around maybe 6, 7 O’clock. So it wasn't too bad. What was the best part of the training? The best part? Hm. I would say probably the drills and, and so on. I really enjoyed wearing the uniform for graduation. That was a really fun part. The rifle shooting was ok too. And the whole fielding experience in the, in the bush for a week. So that was really fun as well.

Well, so about this program, you always wanted to join the Reserves. What was it about this program that you were like, yes, that's the right way. Oh, well, the difference between the, the Reserves and this program was the Reserves. I would be more staying at home on that home base. With this program, I get to travel the world experience, everything that the Navy has to offer. You know, I wouldn't be able to get that opportunity if I just went straight in the normal way. So with this program, I can try everything and see which one I like first and then sign a contract for that after. And what has the adjustment been like from,  what were you doing before, before you took the plunge and started the training?

Just before this, I was just studying, staying at home, little part time jobs here and here. Some trades jobs. So it wasn’t the best thing. But, as soon as I came here, I guess so many doors started to open up for me and it is just the experience here has been pretty good so far, I'm looking forward to the future. Biggest adjustment still. Is it the early mornings?

Actually it's been a lot better the day, start a little bit later now. So, and we're, you know, it's, I don't know, it's a different environment here so I can't really put a finger on it right now. It feels really good. I'm happy to be here. What's been the biggest change to your routine? The biggest change? Hm.

That's actually a tough one. I'd say that maybe the biggest change is just, I guess there is more routine and just, you know, more, I guess, set times for you to do things. And of course, it's like you kind of know everything that you get to do for the day and you have something to look forward all the time. So it's like, I don't know, they, they guide you along like the best that they can. So that's not, you don't get lost. Let's just say that it's nice. And did you have much background with the Royal Canadian Navy before this?

I didn't have much background. I was in the, the sea cadets before this, so I kind of cheated my way a little bit and I kind of knew stuff beforehand, but of course I kept that quiet.

And anyone in your family?

My father was in the, the Royal Canadian Navy as well, I think back in 96.

But yeah, he was a big influence for me to join here and he's happy now and he's a little jealous. Maybe he, he's thinking about coming back a little bit too.

So is he in the Reserves? No, not in the Reserves. He was regular force. What was his, his position? He was a naval combat information operator. That is a trade that I am looking to forward to, to see how they operate and so on.

When you told your father that you were thinking about doing this, like was he right away like yes? and like does he actually want to come back? Yeah, he does. So he, he's really happy and excited to join that or you know, consider joining again. He's turning 50. So he doesn't have much time if he wants to hop onto the, the train again. My father was happy when I told him that I wanted to join the Navy and I even have a little sister she just turned 16 and she's actually thinking about it as well.

Have you encountered any challenges so far? So far I haven't encountered any challenges. Like, so far they've been really good to me and they're showing me everything that they can.

What surprised you the most about training or what has surprised you the most about training so far?

I'd say the thing that surprised me the most was just the amount of, say people like me that are actually here, like everybody's really easy going. Everyone's super friendly and everyone works together really well. You know, unlike other jobs where you might have somebody who's grumpy and then, you know, kind of clash at work and then you don't want to come to work. But over here it's like you, there's always something to look forward to every day and I actually enjoy coming every day. And you've made many new friends?

Oh, yes, I have. I don't know if you guys heard earlier but the class next door has been pretty lively. Everyone's happy over there. Is there anything you think people should know about the Navy with your experience so far that you feel they may not know, like the average Canadian may not know that you wish you could yell from the rooftops to them? I would say to them that, a lot of the jobs that are within the military, actually are civilian jobs as well. So say, for example, if you're a barber or you're a cook, you can actually join the military and continue to do those jobs that you already know how to do. And there's just a lot of opportunity to join the military.

Why do you think someone would, should choose the military over a civilian? Well, it is a government job. There's lots of benefits that, you know, can help themselves and their families if they choose to do that. And it's just, I, I think it's a respectable career that they can go into. And I think, yeah, we just, we need more people.

So I was just gonna say, I think this is gonna be like a really good way to get people into the Navy because it's just say, for example, if I was to sign like a five year contract and go into something, which I have no clue what that's about, then I might kind of, you know, be sad about that or something. But with this program, since I get to see everything beforehand before choosing something, that's just that I think it's a huge like win for, you know, the people who are coming after me and so on. What has been some of your favourite parts of training, or what?

I guess for, for us. I think it was the first week I got here all of a sudden it was just a whole bunch of tours of everything that I've never even seen before. So it was like going on the ships and let's go see what these guys are doing and what are these trades doing. And it was just like a really good experience for me to actually get like hands on experience on the ship. And, the other things that were really good was, just, you know, the amount of times that they've guided me along and they just showed me explain to me how everything is and, you know, basically held my hand through the whole entire thing and not to say that's like, I guess that's weird. What are you most excited to get trained on with that orientation in mind? Hm. I guess the thing that I'm looking most forward to is just to be able to sail and travel around the world, see different countries and see how life actually on the sea is. And as you mentioned, NCIOP is something that you would be interested in. Are there any other trades that you feel like from your basic research you might be interested in or that without having tried them yet? As of right now, I actually don't quite know all the trades. So that's what this program is really good for is that, you know, they'll be able to show me every single trade that the Navy has to offer is, you know, just from the recruiting standpoint. I've only got to see a couple select trades from the computer from the recruiting center and then now that I'm here, they are telling me a bunch of more things like, you know, that's around and.

Is there anything else from your 11 weeks in so far that you feel already really confident about that you feel future Canadians should know about when considering this program? I definitely think that the NEP program would be really good for those who are kind of wondering what the Navy has to offer. You'll be able to experience all these types of trades, different trades that you've maybe never even heard of and get to experience them hands on. I think the NEP program will be really good for them. They'll be able to experience lots of different Navy trades and have hands on experience compared to say, joining in the old way where you would sign a contract and then you would say be stuck with the job that you may or may like. So going this way, I think it's just a better experience. You'll be able to do everything and you'll get lots of help along the way for you to decide which trade that you, you know, you'll make a career out of. Have you found that this staff have been really helpful in  those moments that you're unsure or like a little apprehensive or just any fear of the unknown? What has your experience been like with the faculty and the staff?

Yeah, so far I've had no issues. The staff has been really good to me and they've guided me along for everything, you know, as soon as the first steps I took on this base, they showed me around, they got everything that I needed to get done. And you do you find that it's a good work life balance so far in this training? Like, do you feel like you still have time to connect with your family? What about your personal passions or, or hobbies or things like that? Like what is, how do you feel like that work life balance feels so far with this program? Yeah, I think the work life balance has been amazing so far. There's lots of things to do on the base and you have just so much time to, you know, call family or see friends, you'll make friends on the base. So there, the base has lots of activities that you can join. So there's sport teams, there's a gym, swimming pool, like everything you have is here.

What are you looking forward to doing more of as you grow your roots even more, during these next few weeks in this year? I think the thing I'm looking most forward to is just being able to experience even more programs that I haven't even seen yet, to definitely get some more sailing time and so on and just to explore the world, I guess.

And the relationships that you forged so far. What has that been like, on the base? Like, do you spend a lot of time together after school?

Oh, yeah, that, that's been really good too. I think that over here or just in the military, in general you make, you know, lifelong connections, friends for life.

And you really do feel like friends for life? Yeah, especially, you know, just how it is is everybody's such like a big family over here. So, it's really easy to make friends and find people who have the same passions as you do and, or, you know, just common things that you guys like and it's just really easy to connect and fire off away. How has the food been, how is like the commute to work and living in Esquimalt? For anyone who's wondering what actually being in the military is like, like, is it like rations? You know, there are some people who may feel like what has your experience been like with that for everyone who's wondering? So right now I'm staying at Nellies block and the food has been amazing. They have wonderful cooks and so on. So they cook real meals. It's not like the movies where you get your little, little pack of something and so on. Of course, there still is that but, you know, once in a while, maybe when you're out in the middle of nowhere. But for the most part, the food's being really good. There's steak on Thursdays, there's soup every day. So, yep. So how many different types of soup have you tried?

So far in the three weeks that I've been here, I think I've tried maybe 14 soups, different types.

And the best ones?

There’s a soup for, you know, lunch dinner every day. It's a different.

What are the top three soups that you've had?

I had like a Thai chili soup. There was a chicken noodle and a clam chowder. The chowders are really good over here. Really good. What about the sports facilities and like the other, like, fitness and health, like, how do you feel like you're able to maintain your health and your wellness while you're here as well?

So, while we live on base we have, you know, free membership for the gym that's on base here. So there's a lot of things to do. Basketball, the weight room, there's a gym, there's also a hockey rink, swimming pool. So, anything that you can imagine you can do it here, they've got beach volleyball courts. And how about, like mental health? Do you feel like, you know, sometimes some, trying something new, a lot of newness can bring its own things or if you start to miss your family or, or friends from home. Do you feel like you have, safe spaces and also the supports for your mental health as well? Yes, I do. They have in the military here, there's a Sentinel program and those people that they know they have for the red flags to look out for and you can always go up to one of them and they'll sit down one on one with you to, you know, support you and you can talk to them about anything. They're just there to listen. Is there anything else that you feel I haven't touched on, that you're like, hey, this is a good thing to know or any funny stories or experiences that you've had in this program that are memorable for you?

I guess as of right now not a lot of people know about the program yet. So they kind of think like, you know, like, what am I or like, what is this going? Like, what's going on here? Like, not in a bad way or anything. It's just everyone's kind of curious about what the program is. A lot of people actually wish that they got this chance to be in a program like this. So they kind of feel like they've missed out, but there's no hard feelings about that. So they're all happy for me and they're looking, you know, for the future and so on.

Have there been any funny little stories or things that, like, maybe we’re not so funny at the moment, but afterwards you're like, laughing at it?

I guess in my basic training, I accidentally left my rifle somewhere and that got taken away from me.So they replaced it with a giant 8 ft stick and I actually have a picture of that on my phone. So I carried that around for the half the day. But at the time I was like, oh, this is sad. I should have, you know, paid attention and kept my rifle with me. But looking back at it now and especially since I have the pictures, it's just something that I remember for life.

I think like my last question for you is like, what do you like most about the base?

This base over here? I think. Hm.  Honestly, at the moment I don't really have a favourite place, but I've, I'm actually like, really happy to go wherever they tell me to go. Say like today we're in the class. It's like standing in front of the door for the school. It's just like, ok, it's like, what are we gonna learn today? And, and like so far today we're learning about, you know, like bomb situations and so on.So it's like, you know, how do I find the bomb if you know there's certain thing happening and so on. I'm on the NEPT right now. So it's like, there's flood training, there's firefighting, it's stuff that, you know, a civilian can, you know, they wouldn't be able to do unless they were actually a firefighter or, you know, so on. It's just, there's so many experiences that, you know, normal people can’t get. I shouldn't use that word but, well, yeah, civilians, civilians.

For anyone who feels apprehensive about basic training, what would your advice be for them?

I'd say for them take basic training as like a, a learning tool. Just power through it and learn as much as you can because you won't be able to experience that anywhere else. And as soon as you're out of there and you pick your trade afterwards and you just continue on with your career, you'll be able to learn all the time. You'll never stop learning. And even the staff that are taking care of me right now still have tons to learn. And you know, it's just a never ending thing.