56-Year-Old Graduates Basic Training
United Press International
Sep 12, 2011
A 56-year-old Canadian woman has graduated from basic training with the Canadian Forces, becoming the oldest reservist to do so, officials say.
Debbie Dompierre, whose husband and son both have a background in the military, decided to join because she was unable to find a job after a move to Victoria, B.C., the Victoria Times Colonist reported.
The grandmother of four was sworn in Feb. 3 and began her nine-week training course in June, a grueling process that saw five others in their 20s quit.
"It's just as hard as it looks on TV," Dompierre said. "There's drill sergeants. They do yell all the time, they scream in your face."
Dompierre graduated in late August as an ordinary seaman and says she hopes to to go on deployment.
"I've been a military mom and wife for 15 years, so I've always been very proud of the military. So now it's my turn," she said.
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