Sault native remembers Mrs. B’s Pizza, now uses a rocket launcher (2 photos)

Corporal Adam Pietkiewicz, 30, is a Sault native who now resides in Ottawa.

Officially an Army reservist and infantry soldier, he is currently working full time in an administrative capacity for the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa in the nation’s capital.

Pietkiewicz recently joined other Canadian military personnel in Exercise Wolf Pack Apex, which took place at the Petawawa training base during the weekend of Feb. 24.

Exercise Wolf Pack Apex focused on soldiers annual skills training, along with a headquarters training scenario.

Pietkiewicz described the mission as ‘routine,’ but any civilian would look upon it as anything but routine.

“I took a lot of weapons training, with rocket and grenade launchers,” said Pietkiewicz, in a telephone interview with SooToday.

“The rocket launcher is always exciting. It’s good to get out on the range for these exercises.”

“For me, joining the military was something I always wanted to do since I was a kid, and when I was in my mid-20s I decided to finally go through with it. It’s turned into a full time job so I can’t complain about that,” Pietkiewicz chuckled.

“For me it’s important to be in the military to defend Canadian values and interests. I haven’t been abroad on a mission but I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to put my name up for one (as a reservist, Pietkiewicz would have the choice to volunteer to go on an overseas mission).”

“Depending on what else is going on in my life at the time, I would absolutely (go abroad for a peacekeeping or combat role).”

Pietkiewicz moved to Ottawa in the 1990s with his family when his father went through a career change.

Pietkiewicz, a single man, has his parents and a sister in Ottawa, along with several aunts and uncles in the Sault.

“I usually make the trip back to the Sault once or twice a year, in the summer, for camping. Driving on Highway 17 can be pretty hectic in the snow,” Pietkiewicz laughed.

“I have memories of pizza at Mrs. B’s, my old barber shop on Second Line, and the Water Tower Inn. I used to think the water tower looked like a big mushroom cloud when I was a kid.”

“I’ve always enjoyed driving past my old house, and my grandparents old houses.”

The Canadian Army is currently on a recruiting drive for reservists.

With that, Pietkiewicz said joining up is something he would recommend.

“I know it sounds cliche, but this is by far the best job I’ve ever had.”

A number of soldiers from communities across northern and eastern Ontario took part in Exercise Wolf Pack Apex, under the command of Colonel John Valtonen, a reservist and a Greater Sudbury Police Service inspector.

Valtonen, 33rd Canadian Brigade Group commander, has been a reservist for 29 years and has served in Bosnia (for six months in 2003) and Afghanistan (for a full year, in 2013).

There are tense moments overseas, Valtonen said, referring to Afghanistan in particular, even though his time in Bosnia and Afghanistan were post-conflict.

“I feel very privileged to be in the position I’m in,” Valtonen said.

“I get a chance to see and work with young Canadians and watch them develop through the years. Certainly, in my experience, I’ve seen soldiers and officers grow professionally and grow as individuals.” 

“They’re great young Canadians,” Valtonen said, encouraging young people to take advantage of the opportunities being a reservist has to offer.