Episode 3: Overseas DEPLOYMENT with Sgt Tonkin
Welcome to the third episode of Exploring the CAF! A video series where I'll be interviewing members of the CAF to gain insights into their experiences. Episode 3 features Sgt Tonkin, a regular force Material Management Technician with 1 Service Battalion in Edmonton, Alberta. He has served with the military since 2002 and has been deployed on four international operations.
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00:00 Introduction
00:32 Journey to the CAF
02:57 Material Management Technician Overview
04:32 Skills for success
06:58 Purple trade
08:04 Ball hockey in the military
08:21 Ship tour in Halifax
09:13 Army vs. Air Force
11:21 Exercise in Arkansas
12:26 Regular Force Training
13:26 Story from BMQ inspection
15:23 Trade training for MMT
18:33 How do postings work?
20:45 Overseas deployment (Afghanistan x2, Kuwait, Iraq)
25:05 Family reaction to deployment
26:30 Preparatory training for deployment and heat
27:24 Service trade interaction with combat trades
29:30 Life deployed overseas (in detail)
31:05 Afghanistan inside the wire (2006)
32:05 Rocket attacks
33:50 Afghanistan (2010)
34:20 Ramp ceremonies for the fallen
34:45 Kuwait (2017)
36:08 Iraq (2019)
37:25 Issues returning home post-deployment
39:20 Golf in Dubai, Cologne, Cyprus
43:18 Relationships in the CAF
45:35 Favourite part of the military
46:55 Training and operations with Allies
49:38 Exercise at Fort Polk, Louisiana
51:30 Difference between basic training and base life
53:30 When in doubt, rack out
55:15 Advice to new recruits
57:30 Message to Canadian public
59:25 Interview wrap up
59:58 Photo album
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