Rankin Inlet (May 25/05) - Aaron Autut of Rankin Inlet is continuing his march towards a career in the Canadian Forces.

Pte. Autut recently completed his basic training at CFB St. Jean, Quebec, and is now taking basic military qualifications in Gagetown, New Brunswick.

Autut said there were no surprises awaiting him at basic training, which he deemed a lot of hard work and a lot of all-out fun.

"There was a lot of classroom work and we really spent a lot of time in the field," said Autut.

"You really learn a lot during your time in basic."

Autut spent a number of years in the Rankin cadet movement, attaining the rank of warrant officer and a solid reputation for his abilities along the way.

He said his time in cadets helped him during basic training to maintain a good kit, be prepared for daily inspection and do well on parade.

Autut also took pre-recruit training, which he highly recommends to anyone wanting to find out if a life in the Forces is what they're looking for.

"I couldn't believe it at basic when I found out one of the instructors I had at pre-recruit training was delivering basic-military instruction.

"That helped because I kind of knew what to expect." Although Autut decided years ago the Forces would be a good career choice for him, he stayed in Rankin to complete high school and earn his Grade 12 diploma.

He signed up for the infantry after graduating, but decided after five weeks of basic-military qualification to remuster into the combat engineers.

"I decided to take a different route because I wanted something a bit more challenging for a trade.

"I realized I wanted something more advanced in the field of combat arms, with a lot of hands-on work to it."

Questions about the North

Autut will remain in Gagetown to study combat engineering, once he completes qualification training, before receiving his first posting.

But no matter where he's stationed, he can always count on a steady stream of questions about life in Rankin.

"People always want to know how cold it really gets, what an Inukshuk is all about, and if we still build iglus and go dog mushing.

"They also want to know what the traditional food is that we eat, because they always hear about it."