Okotoks could be home to a Canadian Forces military reserve detachment next spring.
David Neely, an officer with the King’s Own Regiment Calgary, said the regiment is planning to run recruiting sessions in the Foothills in the new year, with the goal of opening a detachment of the King’s Own in Okotoks by April.
“We used to recruit in this area a long time ago, but what’s happened in this last generation is people tend to focus on the Calgary area,” said Neely. “What we’re doing now is really going back to opening some detachments in the area here.”
He said recruits from the Foothills area would have the benefit of attending Wednesday night training close to home, rather than travelling to Calgary. It would also increase the area’s military presence and capability to help in emergency situations, he said.
An exercise specifically geared to emergency response to civilian crises will take place in Okotoks in February, he said. The 41 Brigade will run an exercise to train for cases where civilians call for military support, such as during a major flood event like 2013.
“We’ll be building that command and control system and we’re going to test that out of Okotoks this year,” said Neely. “We want to build up some presence in the area.”
The recruiting drive will launch in January, and military vehicles complete with machine guns and other weapons will be parked in areas around the community, he said. Those interested in learning more about joining the reserves are welcome to visit officers at the recruiting stations to talk about what reservists do, how they support the regular military, and how to join, he said. Anyone from age 17 – 55 is welcome to sign up.
The goal is to have people signed up by April so they’re ready to start spring training, he said.
“So we would recruit them and train them and they’d be dressed in green by April,” said Neely. “That’s the plan, that they’d be in uniform by April and our detachment would be established.”
In the meantime, King’s Own is actively searching for a suitable location in Okotoks to set up a training facility, he said. At this point, he said the most promising site is near the Okotoks airport, but nothing has been finalized.
Mayor Bill Robertson said he welcomes the opportunity for Okotoks to house a detachment of the King’s Own Regiment.
“It’s one more activity people can be involved in for public service and to enhance their lives,” he said.
As a former member of the Calgary Highlanders reserves, Robertson said is pleased by the prospect of a local branch opening up.
He said a lot of people who may have considered joining the reserves may be more inclined to sign up with the King’s Own being more accessible in the Foothills. He said the notion of having a military presence in town is also beneficial.
“I’m highly supportive of this,” said Robertson. “I really encourage them to recruit people in our region, and having a presence here would be one more avenue the military can provide service to the citizens and to the region, in the event we need to provide emergency response.”
He said there shouldn’t be a negative impact for Okotoks.
“What will it mean for the community? You’re going to see more green vehicles driving around,” said Neely. “It’s not necessarily the large vehicles, but the smaller truck-type military vehicles.”
