I think that going into the area and seeing how they're set up, how they live, the rhythm of work, and the nature of the dilemmas and decisions they have to take on a daily basis.... It doesn't necessarily mean going on patrol with them, although for some missions you could do that. When I was in Darfur recently for Prime Minister Martin, I went on patrol with them. It's a different scenario, but still.
However, I would like to offer the following. Why not go to Wainwright, where they're training? Why not go to Texas, where they're training? Why not go to Valcartier, where they're training and see them in preparations and training. Spend two or three days in the field with the platoon and actually live it.
National Defence has created a program where...you as a committee go with your specific look at what will this be an impact on. When I was in the ADM, we started to bring adjudicators from Veterans Canada—people from all walks of life—into the field. Holy smoke, when they started to realize what they have to do in a day.... There's no eight hours on and then you sleep; you're 24/7.
I think living the experience gives you the depth.