Military says more Canadians enlisting as second career amid recruitment struggle

Working on a military truck, within the logistics squadron of CFB Kingston, Private Charlotte Schnubb is elbows deep into an engine with a huge smile on her face.

Working on a military truck, within the logistics squadron of CFB Kingston, Private Charlotte Schnubb is elbows deep into an engine with a huge smile on her face.

It’s a new day, a new task and this is exactly where she wants to be for this new phase of her life. She worked on cars as a teenager, but only now, in her 30s is she making a career of it in the military.

“The teamwork, the camaraderie, the stability that the military provides, it was kind of a no-brainer,” said Private Schnubb during an interview inside the shop bay.

The mother of five left her role as a medical assistant in a doctor’s office for a career in the military. After 16 years in the medical field, she saw this as an opportunity to explore an entirely new trade.

“I figured, if I’m going to start somewhere and learn something brand new, I’m going to do it in a career that I have no idea about,” said Schnubb. The training offered by the military is part of why she signed up.

Schnubb immigrated from the U.K. as a young child, but only received her citizenship a few years ago. She enlisted with the Canadian Armed Forces in 2022. Patriotism, she says, was also a driving force behind her decision to be part of this next generation of members.

“I believe in this country, I believe in what we do here and as a vehicle tech I’m really excited to be able to provide support for the CAF in general.”