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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Donavin Carlberg has lived in the North his entire life but the 18-year-old is now leaving for Quebec to do his basic training with the Canadian Forces and embark on a career that could take him around the world.

Donavin Carlberg, newly recruited into the Princess Patricia Canadian light infantry, shakes hands with Joint Task Force North commander Brig. Gen. David Millar during ceremony in Yellowknife, Oct 17. - Ben Morgan / NNSL photo

"We're welcoming a brand new member into the Canadian Forces today," said Brig.-Gen. David Millar at an enrolment ceremony for the new recruit last Friday. "Indoctrinating him into our culture means a whole new way of life for him, one based on the principles of pride professionalism and teamwork."

Carlberg was born in Whitehorse but has lived in Yellowknife most of his life. He is a third-generation soldier and said he has gotten lots of advice from his family.

"My dad was with the Princess Pats artillery and so was my grandfather - he was in the Second World War," he said.

Carlberg has wanted to be a soldier for as long as he can remember.

"My son is very selfless. He's a good team player," said Carlberg's mother, Jo Ann Whitfield. "I'm a little nervous about it all but who wouldn't be."

Whitfield said her son is an innovative young man - good with electronics, computers and model rockets.

"I'm very proud but a little worried too, especially if he ends up in Afghanistan and he could probably end up over there," said Carlberg's father Eric. "But he knows what he's doing and he's well-suited to be a soldier, he's a very smart young man and strong.

"He'll be representing his country and that's a big deal."

Carlberg said the travel opportunities associated with a military career are what he is most looking forward to.

"I'm hoping my first overseas deployment will be to Afghanistan," he said. "I've never been there so I'm excited to go and it's an important mission."

Brig. Gen. Millar, commander of Joint Task Force North said, new recruits such as Carlberg are accepting a heroic calling by enrolling in the Canadian forces and accepting a career in the military.

"When you sign your commissioning scroll, you are saying that 'yes', I am willing to lay down my life for the values and beliefs that Canadians uphold in our society and I am willing to risk my life if necessary for that ideal when ordered to do so,'" said the brigadier-general. "That's what makes it a calling."

This month's enrollment ceremony is the second Millar has attended at JTFN as base commander and the third one held at the Yellowknife headquarters since the summer.

"In our society today we are seeing a resurgence of pride and nationalism and desire from young Canadians who want to serve their country in some capacity," said Millar.

Carlberg said he was nervous during the ceremony but joked that he was more nervous about getting a haircut and losing his sideburns.