Naval Communicator re-enrols in navy

Leading Seaman Mark McInnis re-enrolled in the RCN under the Skilled Re-enrolment Initiative.

RCN Public Affairs ~

Leading Seaman Mark McInnis decided to re-enrol in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) after missing the camaraderie of his fellow sailors.

The Naval Communicator, now working at Base Information Services in Esquimalt, B.C., had previously served two years in the navy aboard Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Ville de Québec.

He decided to leave due to personal reasons and returned to civilian life as a supervisor and carpenter. But he missed life in the RCN and recently returned under the Skilled Re-enrolment Initiative.

LS McInnis says the feeling of camaraderie you get in the RCN is unique.

“It’s something that you don’t find or come across too often in civilian life,” he says. “In the civilian world people are more self involved. In the RCN you need to work as a team to accomplish your collective goal. It gives you a great sense of accomplishment.”

LS McInnis says his parents were “thrilled” when he made the decision to re-enrol.

“They are very proud of me serving my country; especially my mother, whom I lost last October. She was in Maple Ridge, B.C., and being posted to Esquimalt made it easier for us to spend some special and priceless time together.” 

LS McInnis also missed the adventure and chance to make a difference in the world that wearing a uniform brings. He highly recommends re-enrolment to other people who have left the RCN.

“There is the competitive pay, benefits and medical,” he says. “You and your family are completely taken care of. And you have the opportunity to go as far as you want if you’re willing to do the work.”

Due to attrition rates in recent years, certain RCN occupations have become stressed due to the lack of personnel.

As a result, the RCN decided to reach out to former sailors in certain occupations, including the Naval Combat Information Operator, Naval Electronic Sensor Operator, Sonar Operator, Naval Communicator, Weapons Engineering Technician and Marine Technician occupations to invite them to re-enrol into the Regular Force in their former occupation and rank.

Personnel who meet specific criteria and who were favourably released from the Regular Force within the last five years are eligible for the Skilled Re-enrolment program.

If you are interested, email SkilledRCN.MRCqualifiee@forces.gc.ca or call 1-833-203-2698.