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Joining the Infantry

Heroes Remember

Joining the Infantry

Transcript
It really wasn’t really anything new to me with the weapons and being outdoors or camping. I mean I grew up camping, grew up outdoors, grew up time spending at a farm hunting, that kind of stuff so it was really kind of right into my niche. It was something that I, I enjoyed being outdoors. I really didn’t see myself sitting behind a desk so I needed to be active and was very active as a child, very active as a teenager so it was just kind of a perfect fit to stay active through being an adult so being in the military was perfect. The quickest way in was infantry they were looking for so I joined and went into the PPCLI, the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. So after Cornwallis I was in Wainwright for battle school and then went to the 1st Battalion PPCLI in Calgary after all the training was done. There’s such a great history. I mean there is histories in all the regiments but there’s a proud history obviously there with the PPCLI and it’s something, anyone who goes to a school, they have pride in the school they go to so I think you’re just proud of where you are at and you’re going to defend it and of course make fun of the other regiments, of course, but each has their own. It’s almost like a hockey rivalry between like the Leafs and the Habs right, the RCR’s and the PPCLI? It’s just the history that we have with the battle honours and everything, there’s a sense of pride for sure!
Description

Mr. Feyko shares his desire to join the military and takes the quickest route possible.

Michael Feyko

Mr. Michael Feyko was born July 12, 1970 in Windsor, Ontario. Immediately out of high school, Mr. Feyko joined the military and held rank of private with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. He attended battle school in Wainwright, Alberta. First deploying to Norway, Mr. Feyko then continued on with tours to Cyprus and to Somalia. Realizing his true passion was to be a jumper and following his desire to gain a career with Search & Rescue, Mr. Feyko found himself back in Canada with the SkyHawks attending many air shows across the country. While in Edmonton, Mr. Feyko was involved in a parachute accident where he was left with a lifetime injury. With major injury to his body, Mr. Feyko rehabilitated himself back into civilian life and in 2000 a decision was made for medical discharge. With great determination and desire to continue life as it was prior to his injury, Mr. Feyko was inspired by the Soldier On program and assisted as coach of the Team Canada Golf Team leading them to five medals at the Invictus Games held in Toronto, Ontario September 2017. Now married and with a family, Mr. Feyko enjoys a career as a PGA golf pro and continues to train golfers who are part of Soldier On in preparing for the next Invictus Games to be held in Sydney, Australia.

Meta Data
Medium:
Video
Owner:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Recorded:
September 29, 2017
Duration:
1:21
Person Interviewed:
Michael Feyko
War, Conflict or Mission:
Canadian Armed Forces
Branch:
Army
Units/Ship:
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)
Rank:
Private
Occupation:
Infantry

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