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The 5th Canadian Division, the Canadian Army in Atlantic Canada, has featured Kensington, P.E.I native, Trooper Jeff Gravina’s profile on our Faces of 5th Canadian Division webpage. This profile features Gravina’s reason for joining the Canadian Army, his role models, and the most memorable experiences of his first year served in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The following is Gravina’s profile:

Hometown: Kensington, P.E.I.

Years of Service: 1 year, 3 months

Home Unit: The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC)

Who is your role model?

My parents, Adam and Sara Gravina, inspire me a lot. My role model in the Canadian Armed Forces is Warrant Officer Chad Wilkie of the Halifax Rifles and an instructor on my Armoured Reconnaissance crewman’s course, because he is enthusiastic and passionate about teaching us the proper ways and ensuring that we are efficient.

What do you do in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)?

I am an Armoured Reconnaissance crewman, a war fighting function that uses vehicles to gather information, often in enemy territory. There are a lot of complex tactics and strategies that are used to operate while remaining undetected.

What is the best part about being in the Canadian Army – 5th Canadian Division?

The people you meet and the experiences that you have at work. You meet people that you wouldn't normally get an opportunity to. There are people on my course that I have really gotten to know in an in-depth level while working in close quarters together. They are all-around just really cool people.

What is your most memorable experience?

The courses that I have taken thus far because that is where all of these great people and great experiences have come together, whether in barracks, in the classroom or on our off time.

Why you have stayed in the CAF?

It is a great job, it pays well and there are a lot of different work opportunities.

What would you say to someone that is considering a career in the CAF?

Give it a try, give it your best shot. Really push yourself to do the best you can and at the end of the day, it is definitely a worthwhile experience. It is not all fun and games, it is stressful at times, but when you go through those stressful times you get to the end of it, you realize how exciting the experience really was.

What would you like the Canadian public to know about their Army?

There are a lot of real people. The Army is made up of a lot of real people.