Who are the Infantry, and what do they do?
The Infantry is the backbone of any fighting force; its classic role is “to close with and destroy the enemy.” In modern warfare, the infantry works closely with the Artillery, Armoured, and Field Engineers as part of the Combat Arms team. While the Regiment is a dismounted light infantry unit, recent years have seen training in airmobile and amphibious operations.
The Calgary Highlanders train as a unit for not only modern warfare operations, but also other missions such as aid to the civil power. Individual Highlanders have the opportunity to accompany Regular Force units on overseas missions; in recent years many Calgary Highlanders have served in places like Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia, and Afghanistan.
Infantrymen in the Calgary Highlanders train with all types of weapons, including pistols, rifles, grenade launchers, light machine guns, general purpose machine guns, hand grenades, pyrotechnics, the 84mm rocket launcher, and the 81mm mortar.
A variety of training is provided in basic overland navigation, field communications, driving military vehicles, heavy trucks and armoured personnel carriers, as well as basic survival skills, defence against nuclear-biological-chemical weapons, fieldcraft and battle procedure (including camouflage and concealment, internal security, patrolling, and escape and evasion tactics.)
The men and women of the Infantry perform their duties outdoors, by day or by night, exposed to all weather conditions. The work is physically and mentally demanding and is often carried out for long periods of time with little chance for rest. In combat or operational situations, the job is mentally stressful and the risk of physical injury is always present.
Qualifications and Interests
Infantry soldiers must be dependable and self-disciplined. They must be able to react quickly, and adapt readily to changing situations. Courage, physical and mental stamina and positive attitude are essential attributes. The ability and willingness to learn new skills and techniques is also necessary, as the diverse nature of infantry operations requires the development of many specialized skills. Leadership and people management abilities are very important and the ability to work well as part of a team is essential.
Information Sessions
Information sessions are run at Mewata Armouries every Wednesday night during the training year (September to May). Anyone interested in joining The Calgary Highlanders is highly encouraged to attend. The unit traditionally has had recruiting stands and weapon displays at various events throughout the city during the summer months, including the Calgary Stampede.