Member Highlights: Cpl Lacasse
We recently had the opportunity to interview one of our members. Today we highlight Cpl Lacasse.
Why did you join the CAF?
Cpl Lacasse
"I joined in 2019 because I was looking for part-time employment that would fit my student schedule and would provide me with opportunities to learn a unique set of skills. Joining the infantry, I wanted to challenge myself and prove to myself that I had the grit necessary to overcome adversity in its purest form; physical struggle."
Why did you choose the Blackwatch?
"I found out about the Black Watch from a group of friends, being the first to enroll in my family, I had limited prior exposure to the military. It also helped that the regiment was near my residence. "
What do you do in your civilian life?
"When I first joined, I was completing my undergraduate degree at McGill, the reserve schedule fit perfectly with my studies. Having graduated since then, I took up a position as a Sales Representative for the Montreal, Gatineau, and Eastern Township region within the family business. We specialize in the access ramp business; I get to help the wheelchair-bound with accessibility. I have had the pleasure to help veterans deal with accessibility issues in their daily lives."
What do you like about being in the infantry?
"Joining the infantry has allowed me to explore a wide variety of roles in the Canadian Armed Forces. From working with the Air Force as a Door Gunner to learning advanced reconnaissance tactics with the Reconnaissance Platoon, the breadth of my experiences is unmatched. Being a part of an infantry unit, I have had the opportunity to serve beyond the traditional combat role of the infantryman. Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of working with the provincial police force in inter-agency rescue operations on Quebec’s North shore."
Have you ever been deployed, either domestically or overseas?
"I have not had the opportunity to deploy overseas and have yet to serve fellow Canadians domestically."
How long have you been in the forces?
"Last September marked my third year as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. Three years seems very little when I think about all I have had the opportunity to do during my first few years of service. "
What are your career goals in the CAF?
"I hope to keep exploring new opportunities for learning and personal growth within the Canadian Forces. The reserves enable me to thrive in both my family business and my service within the military. Acquiring new skills and improving my current skillset is what keeps me coming back for more."
What would you say to someone who is considering employment in the CAF?
"I would say that employment in the Canadian Armed Forces provides you with a number of unique opportunities and a schedule that can fit any occupation; student, sales representative, or otherwise. Employment in the reserves also allows me to never fall into a monotonous routine, I am constantly stimulated with fresh experiences."
What is the hardest thing you've had to accomplish/overcome in the CAF?
"In physical terms, working with the Reconnaissance Platoon has proved to be the most challenging experience. From carrying heavy loads over difficult terrain to remaining stationary for long periods of time during the observation phase of a reconnaissance patrol, I have found that some of the exercises rival the difficulty I experienced running 100-mile ultramarathons. In terms of mental acuity and focus, my time with the Air Force as a door gunner has proved most challenging. Receiving and transmitting information as part of a team interacting with several elements simultaneously has required me to adapt and learn quickly."
