Maj Christopher Daniel
From farm boy to 2PPCLI soldier, Cpl Dylan Tkachyk has just returned from the United Kingdom (UK) where he helped instruct Ukrainian soldiers in an urban training area in the southeast of England.
He was one of many Canadian Army (CA) soldiers deployed on Op UNIFIER providing training to Ukrainians preparing to defend their country’s sovereignty, freedom, and independence from the invading Russian Army.
“I was a farmer from Manitoba near Elm Creek my whole life, until I decided to get into an adventure of a lifetime shortly after my 18th birthday,” he recalled. “I went to the Canadian Armed Forces [CAF] recruiting centre, and here I am now in Europe, hoping to make a difference in the lives of Ukrainians through our training mission.”
Cpl Tkachyk is half Ukrainian and half French-Canadian.
“When I got the message I would be deployed on Operation UNIFIER, I was very excited and I felt a great sense of pride and honour to be sharing my infantry skills with my fellow Ukrainians. From my simple farm life in Manitoba, I’m now on my first deployment doing what is right when it matters,” he said.
Looking back at the time when he was at the recruiting centre, he said the recruiter showed him videos about the Infantry trade.
“I love being in the environment, I enjoy crawling through dirt and being in the mud,” he said smiling.
Infantry Soldiers are the CA’s primary combat fighters and are responsible for closing with and engaging the enemy. They are the core members of the Army’s Combat Arms team.
He glanced at the Ukrainian trainees nearby while speaking to this PAO, attentively reviewing their soldier card during break-time.
“Ukrainians are very bright, very eager to learn — they ask a lot questions, and they communicate with each other very well. Everyday, I see their determination to master the skills we teach them and this inspires me to do my job. It’s a great honour knowing I’m part of their preparation and training to defend their country,” he said.
His advice to young Canadians like him considering to join the CA is to simply do it.
“If you’re nervous, or you’re hesitating because of the unknown, just throw the odd ball, try the Army for a couple contracts. If it doesn’t work for you, then go back home.”
The Patricia soldier shared he was also nervous at first. But he’s still in the Army, and enjoying the adventures of an expeditionary deployment.
“What I like the most in the Army is the camaraderie. The friendship that we build in the regiment is like a family. It reminds me of the lasting friendships in high school, but with a real job that makes a difference not only in Canada but in the world.”
Maj Christopher Daniel/senior PAO Joint Task Force-UNIFIER
