University of Regina hosts business boot camp for Canadian Forces veterans

Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces are going back to boot camp—this time looking to find success in civilian life.

The University of Regina business school is hosting a seven-day boot camp for former members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are hoping to start or grow their own businesses.

The camp is supported by Prince’s Charities, which are the charities of Prince Charles in Canada. Janet McCauseland with Prince’s Charities said the business boot camp has grown since it was established.

“It started in 2012, with one boot camp in St. Johns Newfoundland, and now in 2016, five years later, we’ve got four boot camps including the University of Regina,” she said.

McCauseland added the program has helped a number of people since it started.

“We’ve had 250 through the boot camp, and of that 161 have started business.”

As part of the program, former forces members are paired with a current or former business student volunteer.

Jenna Deboth was among those who volunteered their time Thursday.

The education student said she got involved with the boot camp through Enactus, a group which tries to help other people through entrepreneurial action.

Deboth also runs her own business.

“I starting making bags and back packs, started off with just friends and family, next thing I knew I people in my town would come up to me, and then after that I got a website and it’s just kind of taken off from there,” she said.

Deboth said volunteering with the camp has helped her in some important areas.

“The best part about this boot camp is really the networking and meeting people from all across Canada.”

One of the former forces members who took part was Charlotte Greenall from Saskatoon, who runs a company specializing in alternative medicines.

Greenall said she first became interested in alternative types of medicine after she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“When I was diagnosed, I hit mainstream psychologists, through the military I was trying to get help.”

Greenall said while she received help from traditional therapy, it didn’t get her to where she wanted to be.

“I was referred to balance within energy and wellness, I saw a practitioner there and I had a couple of sessions done and I really felt like it made a huge difference,” she said.

Greenall said her practice looks at lifestyle, personal, business or any area where someone feels they need a little extra push.