Raven Program

RAVEN Aboriginal Youth Employment Program

Are you an Aboriginal Youth living in Canada, and are you looking for a very challenging and rewarding employment opportunity for the summer?  Do you like to make new friends, work hard, like do physical activities and enjoy the outdoors?  Then maybe applying for the RAVEN Program is exactly what you are looking for.

In the summer of 2003, the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific implemented the first RAVEN Aboriginal Youth Employment Program.  This outreach program is designed to build bridges into the Aboriginal communities in Canada and to make Aboriginal youth aware of potential military or civilian careers with the Department of National Defence.

The program is a total of 7 weeks long and gives you a very good idea at life in the Canadian Forces.  You can complete the program with the option - but no commitment - to pursue a career in the Reserve Force, Regular Force, or work in a Civilian Occupation with the National Defence.

RAVEN is held at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt at the Work Point Barracks, and the staff are current Military members who have years of experience.  The Culture Camp phase is administered by Elders from different First Nations and Aboriginal groups.

The application deadline is 13 June 2009. If you wish to file an application, be sure you have it in to the Recruiting Centre by that date.  

To apply or if you have questions about the application process contact 1-800-856-8488 or http://www.forces.ca

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If you have more specific questions about the program please contact the Raven Program Coordinators:

Raven Program Coordinator: Sgt Lloyd Brens @ Lloyd.Brens@forces.gc.ca or
Aboriginal Attractions Coordinator: MCpl Ruby McAleer @ Ruby.Mcaleer@forces.gc.ca

Important Dates for RAVEN 2009

Application deadline: 13 June 2009 Travel to Victoria: 5 July 2009 Culture Camp: 7 - 10 July 2009 Military Training: 11 July - 20 August 2009 Graduation: 21 August 2009 Travel Home: 22 August 2009 (please understand that these dates may change again before the end of this year)

The RAVEN Program Consists of Two Phases:

1.  A Culture Camp; and

2.  A military recruit training course.

The Culture Camp:

The Culture Camp phase is administered by Elders of different British Columbia First Nations and Aboriginal groups with the intent of sharing different cultures and facilitating the transition to military training.

The camp is instructed in a manner that is beneficial to all Aboriginal backgrounds by focusing on the common components unique to Aboriginal Culture.

 

The Military Recruit Training:

The Recruit Training phase is instructed by military personnel.

During this training you will learn the knowledge and skills that every recruit is required to complete during their Basic Military Qualification.  The areas that are taught include:

• applying basic military knowledge;
• operating the service rifle;
• maintaining physical fitness proficiency;
• performing drill
• administering first aid;
• surviving on a filed environment;
• operating under NBC conditions;
• communicating orally and in writing;
• maintaining a safe working environment;
• and identifying professional development concepts.

The program is designed to contribute to the development of the Aboriginal Youth by fostering self-confidence, self-discipline, physical fitness, and teamwork. 

 

What Qualities Are Expected of the Students?

The traditional qualities expected from the RAVEN students throughout the course are:

• Integrity;

• Loyalty;

• Honestly;

• Exemplary Conduct;

• Dedication;

• Courage; and

• Teamwork.

Who is eligible?

A limited number of candidates will be accepted.

Applicants must meet the following prerequisites:

• Be between 16 and 29 years of age.

• If under the age of 18, have the consent of parents and/or legal guardians.

• Have completed grade 10.

• Be physically and medically fit.

• Be a Canadian citizen.

For the application process, applications must include:

• High school transcripts (original and signed);

• Birth certificate (front and back); and

• Three references.

(Note: If you make it through the application process, you will need to provide your Social Insurance Card/Number.)

What is Provided to Program Participants?

~ Transportation to and from CFB Esquimalt in Victoria, BC.

~ Military clothing and all required equipment for the training.

~ All meals and accommodations.

~ Pay equivalent to the rate of pay for a Class B Reservist of the Private rank (approximately $3500.00 for the entire program).

What Credits and Qualifications do Graduates Receive?

• All candidates who successfully complete the First Aid Training, will receive their Standard First Aid and Level C CPR Certificates.

• All graduates from British Columbia will receive four (4) High School credits, as granted by the BC Ministry of Education.

What Comes After Graduation?

Currently all candidates who successfully complete the RAVEN Program receive a partial qualification.  If they live near a Naval Reserve Unit, they can complete additional training in order to achieve the complete Basic Military Qualification.  There is absolutely NO obligation to join the Canadian Forces, however, if graduates of RAVEN choose that they do wish to join either the Regular or Reserve Force, they will have a full understanding of what waits them in Recruit School.

Training Schedule

Here is a short breakdown of the training you will receive during the program, if you apply and successfully make it through the application process.

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WEEK 1

In Week 1 you are going to arrive in Esquimalt for the first time, and begin to meet the people who you will spend your summer with.  The first day you will be introduced to the Platoon staff, and cover a couple regulation and safety classes.  In the first few days, you will be introduced to even more people, complete the physical fitness test, then be taken to Base Supply to be issued a tonne of military clothing and equipment.  After that you will be taken to the CANEX for the best haircut you will ever receive.

After that you will complete Culture Camp.  During this time you will receive teachings form Elders from different First Nations and Aboriginal groups.  As stated before these days focus on the common components unique to Aboriginal Culture and the teaching will help you in the transition to the military phase of the training.

On the final day you will jump right into military training.  You will first be taught some basic drill movements, and begin to learn some of the basic military knowledge...

 

 

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WEEK 2

Week 2 is a very busy week.  You will be taught several lectures on military knowledge, in order to understand the policies and procedures of the Canadian Forces.

You will also be introduced to the physical fitness program. As part of this you will carry out the Canadian Forces Threshold Test, and complete the Basic Military Swim Standard.

Of course will have several periods of drill, drill, and yes more drill.  You will begin to learn about Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence (NBC).  There will also be a very good introduction to types of fire and how to use the different types of fire extinguishers.

You will have a lot of lectures this week by outside agencies, who come in to teach different topics.  These include: Military Justice, General Safety, and the Workplace Hazardous Material Information System, just to mention a few.

 

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WEEK 3

Week three starts with a day of Harassment Prevention & Resolution Training.

The main topic during this week is NBD training.  The training is intense, however, you will have no problem in dealing with this.  It all comes to and end during the trip to the Gas Training Facility, which is always a favourite with recruits at the school.

Week 3 also includes more drill, physical training and more military knowledge lessons.

You will receive training in Stress Management and Suicide Prevention.

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WEEK 4

The major training you will receive in Week 4 is First Aid.  You will work with and carry out practical exercises involving splints, bandages; and learn how to administer first aid, and CPR.  Once you successfully complete this training you will receive you Standard First Aid and Level C CPR certificates.

Once First Aid is complete, you will begin weapons training with the service rifle.  This will include the safe operating procedures, the parts of the rifle, how it works, and how to clean it. You will also begin to carry out drill movements involving the rifle during this week as well.

Another interesting topic this week is the introduction to forced marches, as well as the obstacle course; all part of the physical fitness program.

To finish the week, the Platoon will attend a local Pow Wow's and march in as part o the Grand Entry.

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WEEK 5

The major training that takes place during Week 5, continues to be weapons training.  Weapons training continues throughout the week and ends with the Weapons handling Test.

The other big part of Week 5 is the drill lessons.  The drill lessons are complete this week, and you will have to prove you have an understand of the drill that has been taught to you.

There is also another forced march.  Throughout the course you will take part in a 3 km march, two 5 km marches, and finally a 7 km march.  Each march is followed by a visit to the Obstacle Course.

The final topic taught in this week is topography and navigation, which you will use during the field phase of training in Week 6.

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WEEK 6

Week 6, what most recruits call "the best week of the course".

The first day or so, you will be on the live firing range to carry out your weapons qualification.

This is followed by 4 days of living in the field.  During these four days in you will:

• learn how to build improvised shelters;

• learn to prepare field rations;

• be taught how to survive in the field;

• carry out day and night navigation exercises;

• learn about camouflage and concealment; and

• take part in stalking and ambush exercises (just to name a few).

You will then tear down camp and pack up to head back to base.

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WEEK 7

The final week of the program is a very busy one.

It begins with spending a day at the rappel tower where you will be taught and be given the opportunity to scale down the side of a 32 foot tower.  This is yet another one of those days considered "absolutely fun and breathtaking" by past recruits.

You will also take part a tour of the CFB Esquimalt dockyard.  After this you will go to a Career Fair, where jobs within and outside the military are highlighted.  This day is capped with a 4 to 4.5 hour sail on one of the Naval ships in Dockyard.

Finally this week is filled with a lot of drill to prepare for the Graduation Parade.  You will practise a lot, and this is down so you can impress all of your friends and family who are free to come and watch the ceremony.  The Graduation is what you will be working for the entire time you are on course.  You will be so proud of yourself for completing something that only a select few have done before you.

It will then be time to say "see you later" to all of your new found friends, and prepare to return to your home.