"For one week it's my chance to be in charge of reservists from Thunder Bay to Calgary," says Lt- Col Mike Vernon, who is the commanding officer of the Calgary Highlanders.

Most of the year the focus is on developing skills of individual soldiers but this exercise is designed to get units working together. "As soon as I got in to the reserves and saw how close knit everybody is and how good of friends you are with you unit, I knew it was for me," says Pte. Alex Murdock. The 18 year old Calgary Highlander has family ties to the military which is what initially drew him in but he says it's the adrenaline rush that has kept him coming back.

He shoots his first machine gun this exercise with real bullets, for many of the guys it's the first time they have used live ammunition. However one of their colleagues, Cpl. Stephen McPherson, has been to Afghanistan and brings his experience and knowledge to the field.

"A lot of guys are experiencing how it's going to be feel like carrying the battle load and the heat," says McPherson. It's a good thing they will be experiencing similar conditions to what soldiers are going through every day in Afghanistan since some of these reservists are on seven day notice.

"They could be told today to go to Afghanistan a week from now and they'll be on a flight overseas so it's that real for some of them, " explains Lt-Col Vernon.

For the details on the exercise, check this video clip.