SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Serving your country is a pretty good reason to take time off from your day job. At least, that's what the new Yellowknife Company reservist unit says. And it appears the city's employers agree.

Captain Conrad Schubert, commanding officer of Yellowknife Company, right, with one of the city's first reservist recruits, John Pavey. - James Chester/NNSL photo -

Last Friday, four companies were recognized for their support of the reservist forces, less than two months after Yellowknife Company was officially established on Aug. 17.

And not only did Polar Tech, Diavik Diamond Mines, NWT Housing Corporation and CBC North receive recognition at Joint Task Force North headquarters; guests were treated to real army ration packs for lunch.

Kevin McLeod, chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council in the North, presented the awards. The council encourages employers to support reservists, who sometimes require time off work for their military duties.

Businesses, said McLeod, can reap benefits from reservist employees such as leadership, management and teamwork skills.

He said reservists need to be able to balance their training with other parts of their life.

"They live what I call a tri-life. They have a home life, they have a business life and they have a military life," said McLeod in his speech.

John Pavey, who has been a reservist with other units for 19 years, joined the Yellowknife Company as soon as it opened. He has found his employer, Diavik, very supportive.

"I haven't had any problems getting time off," he said.

Robert Thuroo, a mechanic, spent most of his working life in the army. After retiring a year and a half ago, he decided to use his skills in the reserves. Serving his country was one motivation but mostly, he said, "it's the camaraderie. I miss that, being in the military for 24 years."

Thuroo is proud to be in at the start. Yellowknife Company is the first army unit to be stationed and staffed in the NWT and is part of the 41 Canadian Brigade Group's Loyal Edmonton Regiment.

"We're still at a stage of telling people about the unit," said Capt. Conrad Schubert, commanding officer of the Yellowknife Company.

"We haven't actually begun active recruiting. But as soon as the unit was announced we started to get calls from people who wanted to find out more and wanted to join," he said.

Currently, the unit has seven members, all of whom were in the reserves or regular forces. Membership of two new reservists, who are completely new to the military, will be completed this week.

Residents of Yellowknife, said Schubert, tend to enjoy outdoor pursuits, and this is exactly what the reserves offer. He expects around 30 members to sign up by next summer. Right now though, he said, "we still don't know if we're going to be underwhelmed or overwhelmed."

While the expeditions might be challenging, balancing their military and civilian lives has not been too tough for Yellowknife reservists.

"When it's come time to get employees off work so they can come out and participate in the stand-up parade or to take part in training, already the employers have been very supportive," said Schubert.

"The North and Yellowknife have opened their arms to the Canadian Forces," said McLeod, "and we enjoy a tremendous relationship with the folks here."