Despite unemployment rate, military can't seem to hire in Alberta

Recession, flatoil prices and massive job lossesarenot enough to convince Albertans to sign up for the military reserves.

"I'm roughly manned at about 40 per centof my authorized strength, so there's lots of room to grow and that's really what I'm looking for these days," saidLt.-Col.Jeff Wilson, one of the commanding officers in charge of hiring new recruits for the reservists.

"That's kind of my job right now is to grow the regiment and get more soldiers in. There's at least a thousand for our brigade."

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Reservists usually work part time for the military one night a week and one or two weekends a month.

For students looking for a summer job, the reserves offer full time work.

Wilson is hoping the prospect of working in the artillery regiment he commands will entice more potential employees to apply.

"As an artillery regiment, obviously we're focused around the Howitzers and the mortars," Wilson said. "So lots of exciting things for soldiers to do."

It's not just a problem in Alberta however.

"Very few units are at full strength and they tend to be in the units like Toronto where there's a huge population and it's easy to get to," Wilson said.

"Everything is voluntary"

Wilson said he believes there are a lot of misconceptions about what reservists' roles are when it comes to combat.

"Everything is voluntary. You don't just wake up one day and find out you're going to Afghanistan. It doesn't work that way. You have to volunteer.

"And, to be honest, it's pretty competitive to get an opportunity to deploy overseas," he said.

Bradey Szutarski joined the reserves right out of high school in 2014.

He said his parents weren't thrilled about the prospect of a son in the military.

"Parents didn't really like it at first, but they're on board now and enjoy it," he said. "They're proud of me."

Wilson said he wants to see more information provided about the opportunities the reserves offer.

"We have to do a better job of presenting what the reserves are all about and what we can offer to the community," he said.

"Really you look at when there's an emergency,the people who are going to be helping them is going to be the reserves."