COVID-19 moves military training exercises to P.E.I.

Military officers are completing their training exercises on P.E.I. this week instead of New Brunswick because of COVID-19.

The six-weektraining course is for reservists and usually takes place in Gagetown, N.B., atthe military base.But this year,COVID-19 has moved the training to the Island near Summerside.

The P.E.I. Regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces is in itsfinal week of training soldiers to do things like drive military vehicles and shootusingmachine guns.

Maj.Jean-Paul Pendergastwith the regiment says this is awin-win situation.

"We're able to continue training, despite the pandemic, and for a lot of staff and studentswe're able to conduct this training close to home," said Pendergast.

Avoiding large numbers

"There's a reluctance to bring large numbers of people together into Gagetown or large training bases like that because of the pandemic right now," Pendergast said.

The regiment has not only adjusted to training atSlemon Parkbut there are new health guidelines in place as well.

Drill halls are used as classrooms because they have more space, soldiers have been sleeping outside so they aren't too close to each other and anyone in a training vehiclemust wear a mask.

Adjustments are 'second nature'

It's all part of the process of slowly resuming training by the Canadian Army Reservein Atlantic Canada.

Pendergast saidsome of the adjustments, like wearing personal protective equipment, come as second nature to the team.

"We're accustomed to wearing hearing protection when we're firing on the range. We're accustomed to wearing helmets ... flak vests.So this is just something else that we've added," he said.

Pte. Nathan Curley has been with the P.E.I. Regiment for the last two years.He saidtraining on the Island has been a great experience.

"It has been different, I like it. I'm able to see my family in the evenings," Curley said.

"[Usually] I would maybe only see them on the weekends depending on how the training schedule worked out."

'Qualify for military role'

When they're finished this training, thesoldiers will be qualified to work within the Canadian Forces in the primary reserve, and could end up helping with everything from natural disastersto the current pandemic.

"We all need help sometimes and if you can take a turn and help somebody else out, it's a good feeling," said Curley.

By the end of the week, 11 soldiers will have completed the training. According to Pendergast, this is the mostIsland soldiers thathave trained in one summer for over a decade.

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