PO2 Chris Evans: The RCN provides challenges that make you grow
Navy News / May 20, 2021
Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO2) Chris Evans joined the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) 16 years ago because he wanted to ensure a financially secure future.
The sailor, who is currently sailing in European waters onboard Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Halifax as part of Operation REASSURANCE, says his job is very important to him.
“My wife can vouch for that after much time away and many early mornings and late nights,” PO2 Evans says. “Not only does (my job) allow me to provide for my family, it allows me to better myself while serving my country and those in need.”
PO2 Evans has a hard time nailing down the one thing he loves most about being in the Navy.
“It’s hard to say there is one single best part about being in the Navy,” he says. “Making so many great friends, travelling the world, receiving specialized training and job security are all very much a great part of being in the Navy.”
One of PO2 Evans’ most memorable experiences was deploying to Haiti 2010, after it had suffered a devastating earthquake.
“Working in conjunction with (the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force) and the locals on land was certainly an eye-opening experience,” he said “We were even with a film crew during the operation while providing aid to the local orphanages that later featured in an IMAX 3D movie entitled “Rescue 3D”.
One of PO2 Evan’s many career highlights was his nomination to take part in Op DISTINCTION – the Canadian Armed Forces’ program to stand sentry at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa.
Although there have been many challenges throughout his career, the biggest so far was deploying to Libya with less than 48 hours’ notice and not knowing when he would return home.
“I overcame this challenge by focusing on the mission itself and the excitement of the unknown,” he says.
PO2 Evans continues to serve in the RCN because of the great people he works with, the job security, and the experiences he has had, including visiting over 30 different countries while in uniform.
Helping others was one of the reasons he joined the RCN and he uses much of the training he has received while in uniform in his civilian life, including training as a harassment advisor, a surface rescue swimmer, in addictions, conflict resolution, suicide intervention, firefighting and first aid. Some of these skills are put to good use as he is a member of the Volunteer Ground Search and Rescue in West Hants, N.S.
“If someone was considering joining the RCN, I would tell them that it comes with many challenges, but just as many rewards and I definitely don’t regret my choice because it has provided me with the great life I have now.”