Major Anthony Ambrosini: Filling the ranks
News Article / April 16, 2012
During the last 21 years, Major Anthony Ambrosini has flown more than 3,600 hours as a Canadian Forces helicopter pilot, carrying out tactical flying and humanitarian aid while instructing aspiring CF pilots. He has temporarily stepped away from the controls, however, to work as the National Production Officer for Canadian Forces Recruiting Group, where he manages the enrolment targets for each trade, and the paid education plans.
“Joining the CF offers tremendous opportunities to Canadians,” he says. “Who else gets to do what we do? Who else in Canada is given the opportunity to operate the equipment we do in the unique environments we do? If someone wants a challenge and a sense of accomplishment, the CF has that. Not many other employers can touch this.”
Strengthening the Defence Team with recruitment
One of the many challenges Maj Ambrosini faces in his position is filling in-demand trades such as vehicle technicians, signals officers and medical professionals such as pharmacists, social workers and medical technicians. This involves working closely with the marketing team, and Recruiting Centres and detachments throughout the country, and liaising with other branches of the CF such as the Canadian Defence Academy and the CF Aircrew Selection Centre to coordinate aircrew testing and selection, and the scheduling of basic training for new recruits.
“A lot of people don’t realize just how long it can take to process an application, especially for the pilot trade that requires additional medical and aptitude testing. A simple note from the family doctor can cause a lengthy delay,” he says. “It drives home the need to apply early so that we can process them in time for selections; some of the successful applicants that will be starting their paid education in late 2012 would have applied as early as September 2011.”
A proud past
As a teenager in Toronto, Maj Ambrosini was a cadet with 618 Queen City Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. One summer, he attended the Senior Leaders Course in Cold Lake, where he had the opportunity to fly in a CF-18 after being named one of the top two graduates of the course. That’s when he knew he was going to be a CF pilot. He attended Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ont., from 1990 to 1994 and graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering.
“The day I graduated from RMC, I felt an incredible sense of pride; I had done something special and accomplished something more than I could have done at any other university,” he recalls. “That is another advantage we have on most employers; we have paid education programs where we pay your tuition and your full salary while you learn.”
Acting on the CFDS
The Canada First Defence Strategy recognizes that people are Defence’s most important resource and that those people receive world-class technical training and advanced education. Maj Ambrosini is working not only to help build the Defence Team, but also to ensure that the “best and brightest” our communities have to offer may take advantage of these fantastic education and training opportunities.
“Apply as early as is practical; sometimes it can take months to process an application,” Maj Ambrosini advises anyone who wishes to join the CF or apply for a paid education program. “Work to be in top physical condition; focus on your academics and consider upgrading courses that may have been challenging the first time around. Be a leader in your community and help make a difference where you live. We’re looking for people who want to do challenging work and accomplish more.”