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SYDNEY, N.S. – Twenty-two graduates of basic military training in Sydney could help answer the call for hundreds of part-time job opportunities.

At a ceremony held Saturday at the Sydney garrison, the new recruits ranged in age from 17 to 35.

The new privates, comprised of 18 men and four women, had enlisted in core training at three Cape Breton armories.

Dakota MacKinnon, 18, said he hopes that his involvement in the reserves will one-day launch a military career with stints overseas. The Florence teenager received two awards for being the top shot and top candidate.

“Since I was young I wanted to go in the military,” said MacKinnon. “Absolutely, there’s not many people going in but (for me) it’s basically the discipline and getting a good head on your shoulders.

“Once you’re going out to the workforce when an employer sees that you’ve been in the military – you can handle stress and you’re reliable – it’s very good to have.”

Basic military qualification is considered a gateway course for new members of the Canadian Armed Forces before undergoing occupation-specific training.

The courses are held on weekends to provide participants with primary skills in subjects that include physical training, first-aid, resource management and fieldcraft.

“For young people sometimes they come and they just fit right in,” said Lt.-Col Keith MacNeil, a Sydney native who is chief of staff at the 36 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters in Halifax.

“They learn life skills and they make good money. This is a good place to go, as it teaches them discipline and honour.”

MacNeil, who was the reviewing officer at Saturday’s parade at Victoria Park, said strides are being made to attract more women to the military, including increased job opportunities.

He said overall there are about 300 positions open for reservists in Cape Breton and about 1,000 across Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

To bolster recruitment, open houses were held at all reserve armouries across the country last fall in an attempt increase the part-time force of citizen soldiers.

MacNeil said the federal government has also this year approved full-time summer employment to give interested candidates a financial leg up.

“We’re really getting good support so now we’re trying to tell them bring your friends, come and join us because it’s a great life,” said MacNeil.

Jessica Collier, the wife of the Cape Breton Highlanders’ chief administrative clerk, said Saturday that she was previously enrolled in the military prior to getting married and having four children.

She recently joined the reserves as a way of easing back into service.

“I was a server when I had looked into the reserves and I knew that this was probably a good idea to start out … and if I really like it I can go (regular) force and go full-time which is my plan,” she said.

“When you join the reserves it’s more structure and you learn more teamwork and you’re not just one person. Especially, each unit you’re at it’s like family. Everyone looks out for everyone and helps out.”

In order to maintain employment, reservists must adhere to a minimum commitment of working at least one evening a week and one weekend a month.

Reservists are considered a volunteer service who are only deployed on combat missions by their request or through an act of government.