Instructors needed for Decentralized BMQs
Peter MallettStaff Writer––It takes a community to raise a child, and the same can be said for preparing the next wave of Regular Force sailors.Albert Head is home for 10 weeks to newly signed naval recruits undergoing their Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) training, decentralized two years ago from the Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, to help ease the training burden as the school also trains army and air force personnel. Instructors come from all corners of the navy to help Naval Fleet School Pacific deliver each training serial. A full training serial includes the standard modules: classroom instruction, drill, field training, weapons training, range practice, first aid, basic fire extinguishing skills, confidence course completion, swim tests, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear training, and physical fitness training and testing.Over 200 recruits graduate the Basic Military Training each year on the west coast.Navy members who volunteer for teaching duties undertake a two-week General Military Training Instructor course in preparation. However, billet shortfalls within the trades make finding instructors tough, says CPO2 Stephan Melançon, D-BMQ Chief Petty Officer.“As this is a number one CAF priority, people who are interested need to let their chain of command be aware of their intentions as soon as possible,” he says. “The ideal candidate to be a BMQ trainer is someone who is a good mentor, that doesn’t mind working extra hours and on weekends, they also need to have really good people skills, and be able to adapt to change on the fly.” Currently, 52 personnel are at the ready to instruct. This expertise casts a wide net: Naval Communicators, Weapons Engineering Technicians, Marine Technicians, Boatswains, Sonar Operators, Naval Combat Information Officers, Naval Communicators and even an Imagery Technician and professional musician with the Naden Band. PO2 Katrina Bligh, an oboe player with Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, decided to become a D-BMQ trainer in February, with the gig ending after the August graduation of the serial.She completed her first serial...