Richmond's Colonel Sherman Armoury is one of many facilities the public can visit during the city's Doors Open event this weekend.
The armoury is a training site for the 39 Service Battalion, Military Regiment Police, two army cadet groups and one air cadet group. Equipment is also stored at the facility, located at the corner of No. 4 Road and Alderbridge Way.
Members of the service battalion belong to the Canadian Army Primary Reserve where members are trained in specific trades including cooking, mechanics and transportation.
During the Doors Open Richmond event, the public can view a lineup of different vehicles used for training and operations, visit the armoury's garage where they fix the vehicles as well as tour the armoury's museum that's filled with artifacts and firearms.
There will also be a ride on one of the vehicles around the block.
When asked what the difference was between reserve members and the regular force, Capt. Tammy Ng with the 39 Service Battalion, described the reserve members as the "last ones in, first ones out."
"We work under the federal government and we are there as support," said Ng.
"When municipal forces, such as firefighters, police etc., or the regular force is unable to fill certain positions or need equipment, that is when the reserve force comes in."
She added that there is a misconception that reserve members, in uniform in public, can stop a thief or break up a fight.
"Even if the city needs access to our equipment or facility, they need to make a call to the federal government and for them to give us the order."
Regular training and parades for reserve members occur on Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. from September to June.
During the summer, some members are deployed to domestic situations such as forest fires or flooding while most head to other provinces for training.
This year's last parade night before the summer was held on May 29 and the service battalion members wrapped up the year with a sports night and a barbecue before training.
Ng told the Richmond News their facility is also known as the combat service support battalion in the Lower Mainland.
"We're responsible for providing all the logistics and maintenance services to the Lower Mainland," she said.
The service battalion has different trades: combat service support, mobile support equipment operators, material management technicians, cooks, weapons technicians, vehicle technicians as well as finance service and human resource administrators.
"Our members are offered full-time summer employment for tasks or courses, and they are paid the entire time," said Ng.
This includes flights, accommodations and food, she added.
The youngest an individual can join the reserve is 16 years old with full-time and part-time employment being offered until the age of 60.
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