Basic in Esquimalt?

[Bringer]

Just got my joining package. I‘m going to be doing Basic in Esquimalt, right by Victoria. I thought all Basic for reg force was run in Saint Jean. Did they change this recently to handle a larger number of recruits or was I just misinformed?

 

[Zoomie]

Are you joining the RegF as a Navy NCM? On occasions BT/BOTC is taught at other bases for specific services. (ie. Borden for the AirForce)

 

[Bringer]

Nope, reg force Infantry. Joining the PPCLI. The recruiting sergeant said that another guy from here (Thunder Bay, ON, falling under CFRC Winnipeg) is going on the same course as I am, but heading for the RCR.

That‘s why I‘m confused - I thought Esquimalt was primarily a Navy base.

 

[klumanth]

St. Jean is the primary training centre for reg force BT but they do run some courses in Esquimalt, Gagetown, and Halifax as overflow courses.

 

[MP 811]

Esquimalt has been used as a basic training school for a couple years now. No worries, do as your told and you‘ll have a good time. Esquimalt is a good base.............and stay outta trouble or you;ll probably meet me!............LOL

 

[Galadriel]

I‘m also doing my Basic in Esquimalt. My course starts on August 25, whens yours??

 

[Dacier]

I did my basic in St-Jean.
Now that I‘m in Wainwright, I have a few guys in my platoon that went to Esquimalt, and I think I would of rather went there.

On your weekends off in St-Jean you realy don‘t have anything to do. The town is boring, of course you can go to Montreal, but there are a number of hassels invovled, plus you don‘t get paid much so the money is gone way to quickly.

In Esquimalt your right beside Victoria, plus you don‘t have to stumble around not knowing the langauge as you have to do in St-Jean.

 

[Bringer]

I start Basic on September 8.

 

[brneil]

Congrats Bringer,

Esquimalt is a good location just outside of Victoria lots to do if you get time off during BT.

I‘m headed to St. Jean around the same time that you leave for Esquimalt. I hear the accomodations are better at Esquimalt.

Best of luck

p.s. any questions on the area let me know

 

[Sundborg]

Esquimalt is a good base, I‘ve stayed there a few times with cadet activities. It has a nice mess and baracks. The only bad thing about the base is it is kinda "hilly," but that can be overcome.

 

[clinton_84]

I just got called today by the recruiting centre here in London and was offered 031 Infantry
It kinda took me by surprise because its only been a month since I first applied and after reading alot or recruiting horror stories about it taking anywhere from 2 to 6 months I thought it was pretty fast, but nevertheless I wasnt goin to argue with it. Anyway Ill be doing basic training from Sept 22 to Dec 1 at esquimalt instead of St Jean, can anyone tell me if this is a good thing /bad thing? what is Esquimalt like?

 

[GrahamD]

I used to work in the shipyards of Esquimalt. I worked on several Navy vessels as a civilian contractor. I couldn‘t tell you anything of interest about the actual military part of Esquimalt, because I wasn‘t in the military. I can tell you however, that Esquimalt is essentially just a suburb of Victoria, and I LOVE VICTORIA.

It‘s basically my hometown, I moved a lot around B.C. but I‘ve spent a lot of years in Vic. It‘s a beautiful city, very laid back, the whole of Vancouver Island is an amazing place to be. Lots of forest, lots of beaches, lots of mountains, you will be there during the surfing season (Jordan River) is where you surf.
OMG I didn‘t know they had basic training in Esquimalt, I hope like crazy that I get into that course too. You are going for regular force? or reserve?
I rebooked my PT test for Aug.20 and I still need my interview, I wonder if I will get it in time to be considered for that course.

Be warned though, the actual township (or whatever) of Esquimalt is kind of a dump. It‘s like sort of the bad area of Victoria, that and West Vic, which is Esquimalts neighbour. Downtown Victoria is about a 10-15 minute drive from anywhere in the surrounding areas though, so don‘t worry. You should have no problem finding cool stuff to do if you get any time off to explore around. Fort Rod Hill is a pretty cool place to visit (just outside Esquimalt) its an old WW2 installation with concrete bunkers overlooking the beach, and just lots of cool military history stuff. Huge amounts of trail riding if you are into Mountain biking. The Ultimate High Skydiving Center in Brentwood (outside Vic) is an exceptional place to learn, or continue to skydive, the view from 10,000 is amazing, lots of islands and mountains around, and its the only place I‘ve ever jumped where you don‘t land where you take off. You land about a 10 minute van or minibus ride away. It‘s an excellent drive when you have 8+ skydivers fresh off the adrenalin, crammed back into a tiny space, grinning at each other, and sharing jump details.

I could go on forever, but I won‘t, just trust me, I would way prefer Esquimalt to anywhere in Quebec. Especially in November. You‘ll be happy when December comes along and the temperature still hasn‘t dipped below 10c.

 

[R_J]

Spent just over 3 years with 3 PPCLI in Work Point. **** , you may even end up living in my old room in Building 1091! If you want to see the old gun emplacements GrahamD mentioned, the best place to see them (unrestored, etc) is just outside MacCauley gym outside workpoint (outside the fence behind the gym, walk towards the water- they‘re well grown over). You will get to know my old "stomping ground", the Carlton right at the top of the hill(unfortunately the school you‘re going to has changed the atmosphere there a lot- go to the back bar, that‘s my PPCLI sticker). You‘re going to the best place that‘s for sure. I‘d kill to get back to Vic.

 

[shaunlin41]

I did my basic in Borden ontario with reg and res army, navy, and airforce and I had a blast but unfortunatly come time to go to battle school I was totally unprepaired. For military purposes I would rather have gone to St. Jean.

 

[R_J]

I think as far as basic goes, a lot of it has to do with the trades that instruct the training. I may be wrong with this, but I‘ve been told that most of the instructors in Esquimalt are Navy, with some reserves on full time contracts for some of the cadres. I know there are very few (if any) Patricia positions out there by my being effectively told to go "pound salt" when I asked about a posting there to teach.

 

[uatemycookie]

I just got my job offer and im going to esquimalt from sept22 to dec1 also..

 

[clinton_84]

yeah? what trade are you goin into?

 

[uatemycookie]

031... from what I hear I think im going to like doing my basic there.... I was offered PPCLI... how about you?

 

[clinton_84]

same thing, offered PPCLI leave on sept. 20 for esquimalt, where you from?

 

[dalredane]

I have lived in Victoria for 25 years, and let me assure you it has changed in recent years. However some things remain the same:

- as other writer suggested....Esquimalt WAS a dump in past years....with the recent takeover by Victoria Police and changing demographics...things are changing. The area right around the Naden dockyard is certainly full of a lot of poorer apartment blocks etc... but the rest of Esquimalt is typical suburban setting.
- it snows maybe one day a year if that here.
- way less rain than Vancouver cuz of the geography. Albeit you are on an island that faces the Pacific Ocean..so you will get more rain than say Sask.
- lots of ladies! When I went to UVIC here most of my classes were like 3 to 1 girls to guys...mostly because of our climate and that it is viewed as a "safe" city compared to Surrey, BC etc...
- long standing navy ties to the city. People here are fairly patriotic compared to other areas of the country I have been in. They took away our PPCLI...but that was more political than local forces at work.
- Ski hills for great snowboarding or alpine hiking is only 2 1/2 hours north of Victoria in the Comox Valley.
- Golf year-round

Downside: mostly that accomodations can be expensive here as it is a university town and given all the reasons listed above, a lot of people are moving here.
- most of the jobs here are government or tourism...although high-tech is starting to grow.

I did a lot of work on base, and it is a prime piece of proprety, very picturesque. If you need tips on any local stuff, send me a PM.