Episode 8 with Tyler MacInnis (Aircraft Structures Tech in Canadian Forces)

1. Tell me a little about yourself and what do you do in the military? How long have you served so far?   Tyler MacInnis, I am 30 years old and have currently served 11.5 years in the RCAF as an Aircraft Structures Technician. I come from a military family as my father, grandfather and brother have all served and together we combine for roughly 90 years of service. I grew up in Petawawa as a base brat and after school moved to southwestern Ontario for a couple of years after my Dad retired from the Army. I worked in the automotive manufacturing industry for two years before I joined the Canadian Forces.   2. What was the hardest time of your life? What tools did you use to get through it?   I would have to say for me it was pretty hard moving to southwestern Ontario after I graduated high school because I didn't know anybody there nor did I know the area at the time and also wasn't fond of my job at the time. I honestly used the gym as a coping method while I was there and eventually met a lot of great friends through the gym that I am still close with today. I've always felt that training has been a great stress reliever for me and always feel more mentally sound when I am training.   3. What are your greatest successes?   I would have to say that the greatest success of my life to this point would have to be the birth of my son Conor and my relationship with my girlfriend Jessica. After that a few things that I am proud of would have to be winning CF hockey nationals, this year I broke the provincial squat record in Manitoba in the 120+kg weight class with a squat of 302.5kg, and currently, hold all but one record in 2 different weight classes for provincial powerlifting records in Manitoba.   4. Now that you have experienced life a little, what would you tell your 20-year-old self?   I think that if I could tell my 20-year-old self-something, it would probably just to be more patient.   5. Who is your greatest role model and why?   I would have to say that my father is probably my greatest role model in life because he was such a good father and husband that it taught me how to be a good man and have respect, morals, and just work hard for things that you want in life.   6. What were the tours that you have been on? Any particular stories that stand out?   Unfortunately, no tours to talk about just Temporary Duties. I did have the privilege early in my career to travel to France and Belgium for Remembrance week, and the ceremonial burial of a Canadian WWI veteran whose remains were discovered in a farmers field. We did multiple Remembrance parades during our week there, and it was an unbelievable experience to see the appreciation that the people of Belgium have for our Military liberating their country so many years ago. Something I will never forget.   7. If you had a chance for a "do-over" in life, what would you do differently? Or would you keep everything the same?   I'm not sure that I would go back and have any major "do-overs," I think that we learn more from our mistakes than anything else and its how we react to them that defines who we are.   8. What do you feel most proud of?   My son is only four months old, but I would already have to say that I feel most proud of him.   10. What do you want your tombstone to say?   I'm not sure what I would want my tombstone to say. I would rather leave that up to the people who put me to rest and have them decide how I affected their lives.   11. Why did you join the military?   I joined the military because coming from a military family I was pretty aware of the things that the military had to offer. Good pay, benefits, pension plan, sports, and at the end of the day serving your Country is something to be proud of too I guess ;)   13. How do you spend your free time?   If I'm not spending my free time with my family, I can usually be found training in my gym. I'll spend the odd night out with some buddies but those nights are few and far between these days.   14. Who do yo