Prizes & Awards

A long time tradition of the year-end commissioning parade is the presentation of many major awards & prizes. This year was no exception. As we went to press, we do not have the full list of 2013 recipients.We are able to capture a few photos of some of the winners.

If we are able to obtain the list we will post them in a future edition of e-Veritas.

The complete list of prizes & awards

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Caption L-R: 15592 Pat Heffernan, Joel Sokolsky, 12342 Allen Stewart, 25701 OCDT Brandon Robert Pinkney, 14899 Col Stephen Saulnier, 9802 John Lesperance.

The MGen John Arthur Stewart Trophy is presented to the top military engineer (MOC 24 and 46) in his / her graduating year as selected by the Prizes and Awards Committee and approved by Faculty Council.

It is based on the 4 pillars of RMC competence. The 2013 winner  is 25701 OCDT Brandon Robert Pinkney.

The award was handed last week at the Cadet Mess to the recipient by Dr Al Stewart, the son of  3173 MGen Stewart, who was unable to attend due to health issues. Dr Stewart is a professor in the civil engineering department.

The trophy is sponsored by The Canadian Military Engineers Association (CMEA). Dignitaries included Dr Sokolsky, Principal of RMCC, Col Saulnier -Acting Cmdt, and Dr Heffernan- Head of the Civil Engineering Department at RMCC. John Lesperance, President, Canadian Military Engineers Association.

A number of other engineers from the area were also in attendance.

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Canada’s top general talks future of the Canadian Forces

Article

Marc Garneau ‘ticked off’ about Canadarm event snub

Aricle

Royal Canadian Navy to run white ensign up the mast starting Sunday

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School honour would have been ‘over the top’ for fallen female soldier, father says at grand opening

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 After seven decades, they’ll rest together

 Article

Valour Place: a home for healing

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442 Squadron member awarded Star of Courage for Arctic rescue

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PRUDEN: How to intimidate a paperclip general

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Submarines ready to enter Royal Canadian Navy fleet

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A look inside: the Kootenay damage control training facility

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Planned pay cut for Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan under review

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Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment’s 150th year honoured by Canada Post

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Navy deserves support

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CDS announces Canadian Armed Forces senior appointments and retirement

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Minister Findlay announces significant investment in new equipment at RCAF airfields across Canada

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Ice landing: Still capable after 30 years

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Auroras return from international naval exercise in Italy

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Army’s “Centre of Excellence” trains soldiers for full-spectrum fighting

Article

Canadian warship crew in Indian Ocean seizes 500 kg of heroin

Very quickly on we ascertained they were not being truthful about their mission, their voyage, so we continued on with a full search of the vessel and discovered the drugs.’

21285 Cmdr. David Patchell  Source

Words and War: Toni Morrison at West Point

By ABIGAIL MEISEL

WEST POINT, N.Y. — As thousands of hungry West Point cadets streamed into the mess hall for their 20-minute lunch break here on Friday, they paused from the rush to the tables to give a rousing group cheer to a guest who has received hundreds of accolades, but perhaps none this thunderous.

“I can’t believe this — it’s like a movie,” said Toni Morrison, who sat at one of the 420 wooden tables in the flag-bedecked Washington Hall, a majestic Romanesque structure at the United States Military Academy.

More…

 Take a military approach to business

For many years, 14797 Richard Martin was an infantry officer with the legendary Van Doos, the Royal 22nd Regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces. These days he’s a management consultant, based in Île-Perrot, just west of Montreal. But he’s still in many ways a Van Doo, since he applies his strategic and operational knowledge from his years of service, as well as his reading of military history, to organizations with which he works. And he feels that seven kernels of military wisdom might help you:  More…

24045 Luke Pierce: BCHL Interior Conference Coach of the Year

In his four seasons behind the bench, Pierce has taken the Centennials from 7th place (and out of the playoffs) in 2009-10 to 2nd and 3rd place finishes the last two years with 76 and 70 points respectively.  More

Remembering the Alamo: My Year in Afghanistan – Chapter 5

Personal account of 15192 Colonel Peter Williams’  Source   More  & More

Former colonel from Minden ineligible for veterans care

Born in Minden in 1935, 3853 Neil Russell lived in Carnarvon until the early 1950s when he set out for the Royal Military College in Kingston, after which he studied aeronautical and mechanical engineering at the University of British Columbia.

As a fighter pilot during the Cold War, he was stationed in what was West Germany from 1959 to 1960 and then France until 1962.

“Canada had 300 fighters near the border between Germany and France and our job, in case the Russians and their allies tried to attack, was to protect central Europe,” Russell told the paper from Parkwood Hospital in London, Ont., where he is trying to get into the veterans’ wing.  More

Parents up in arms as ‘excessive’ PQ bill targets children of francophone military personnel

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UMFK to host book tour for noted Canadian author W.E Gary Campbell

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario, a master’s degree from Royal Military College, and a Ph.D. from the University of New Brunswick.

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Two former RMCC Commandants meet on the high seas

 A/SLt 24498 Noelani Shore (RMC 2009)

Esquimalt, B.C. – There were some special visitors onboard RENARD 58, one of eight ORCA Class Patrol Craft Training Vessels, on Wednesday, March 13, 2013. 12192 General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, along with 15185 Rear-Admiral Bill Truelove, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific/Joint Task Force Pacific, sailed with eight students on their Command Development Course (CDC) for a demonstration of the ORCA and the capabilities of the hopeful Commanders onboard.

Gen Lawson graduated from the Royal Military College (RMCC) of Canada with an Electrical Engineering Degree, and he returned in 2007, bringing an Air Force perspective as the Commandant.

RAdm Truelove graduated from Royal Roads Military College (RRMC) with a Degree in Military and Strategic Studies. He spent time sailing on both coasts before going to Kingston, Ont., to replace Gen Lawson as Commandant in 2009.

“It’s great to be out on the Sea,” said RAdm Truelove, the former Commander of HMCS REGINA. “The ORCAs are not only used by all of the students coming through Naval Officers Training Centre (NOTC) VENTURE, but they’re also used by Reservists and Cadets alike,” he said. “Learning on the water is the best way for anyone to experience what being in the Navy is about.”

As this was Gen Lawson’s first visit on an ORCA, “we were able to show him a new perspective of the infrastructure in Esquimalt,” RAdm Truelove said.

“The ORCAs are great learning platforms,” explained Commander 18880 Bradley Peats (RMCC 1994), Commanding Officer of NOTC VENTURE, as well as Officer in Charge of the CDC Course. “They provide great experience at sea because the routines and reactions are the same as in the heavies; the scale is just a little different.”

There are 16 students split between two ORCAs on the CDC 1202 serial. The course prepares candidates for command by focusing on four pillars: Leader, Manager, Mariner, and Warrior.

“This phase is a reintroduction of the Mariner pillar, giving the students who are fresh out of the classroom time to focus on shiphandling and leading from the bridge,” said Cdr Peats.

The students recently finished seven weeks in the Navigation and Bridge Simulators (NABS) at NOTC VENTURE, and will complete their training with three weeks of sailing around the Gulf Islands and the Vancouver area.

The training value and force generation on the ORCAs goes beyond the CDC candidates; for most of this crew, the past two weeks has been their first experience at sea. The crew is learning necessary skills in the line handling, standing watches on the helm and as lookout, and learning how to drive the zodiac, which is used to provide slipping and berthing parties when coming alongside, as well as during man overboard exercises.

After the day sail on RENARD 58, Gen Lawson toured NOTC VENTURE, getting a closer look at the simulators and meeting with VENTURE students.

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Former Maritime Commander joins Royal Roads University Board

The former leader of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Pacific fleet will join Royal Roads University’s board of governors.

12286 Nigel Greenwood retired as rear admiral and commander of Maritime Forces Pacific last year after 37 years in the RCN. He will begin his three-year term as a board-appointed member of the RRU board of governors on April 15, 2013. “Royal Roads University is very pleased to add Nigel Greenwood to its board of governors,” said Peter Meekison, board chair and chancellor of Royal Roads University. “His outstanding strategic planning skills will help the university stay on course as a highly-respected leader and innovator in BC post-secondary education.”

During his tenure as commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, Greenwood managed a budget of more than $700 million and a workforce of 6000 people. In his career, he served in numerous roles such as base commander of CFB Halifax and deputy commander of the navy where he managed the 2010 centennial celebrations. He retired with the rank of rear admiral.

“We are proud of our heritage as the Royal Canadian Naval College and later as the Royal Roads Military College and will be celebrating this as part of our 75th Anniversary in 2015,” said Allan Cahoon, president and vice-chancellor at Royal Roads University. “Having the navy’s former Pacific leader join us at this time is very appropriate as he brings experience and insight to the board and its governance as both an ex-cadet and established leader.”

The new role is a kind of homecoming for Greenwood, who earned a bachelor of science degree at Royal Roads Military College, predecessor to the present Royal Roads University.

Greenwood later went on to receive a master’s degree in international relations at the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK.

“I am excited about joining the group to make a positive contribution to such a well-founded and self-sustaining institution,” said Greenwood. “I can appreciate the many fields of study offered by Royal Roads – from science to business to leadership – because I have studied these diverse subjects as well and believe in the concept of lifelong learning.” Greenwood has previously served on other boards including the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Metro Halifax United Way and the Greater Victoria Hospital Foundation.

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Dr Michel Nareau from the RMCC French Dept winner of  the Canada Prize in the Social Sciences

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Military has no fat left to cut, top soldier says ahead of austerity budget

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The Canadian Face of the Inter-American Defense Board

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MGen Millar appointed Chief of Military Personnel

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RCAF Run cleared for take-off – Winnipeg 26 May

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Canadian wounded warrior athletes compete at annual U.S. Marine Corps Trials

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What You Should Know … Veterans Review and Appeal Board

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Nominate a Royal Roads Ex-Cadet for the Alumni Leadership Award

Do you know an inspiring leader who is a graduate of one of the military colleges at Royal Roads that pre-dated the creation of Royal Roads University in 1995? Consider nominating him or her for the Royal Roads University Alumni Leadership Award.

The Alumni Leadership Award recognizes an alumnus who is a significant and successful leader. Ex-cadets and RRU alumni are eligible for the award. The winner of the award will be honoured at events from June 17-19 as part of the university’s convocation.

Nominations are now open and close April 15.

More details on the Alumni Leadership Award can be found here: www.royalroads.ca/alumni/alumni-awards.

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Canadian military lessons to cost $522 million

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It’s pay the piper time at Defence

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Army to scale back Arctic operations because of budget cuts

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Feds quietly institute another change to military’s name

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Canadian military flies south for winter exercises at MacDill

“I love flying over the water,” said 19958 LCol Paul Doyle. “We just don’t see that up in Cold Lake.”

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Seven Myths About “Women in Combat”

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Combat cutbacks: Conservatives target the military budget

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19616 Miguel Caron Joins Behaviour Interactive as Head of Studio, Online

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Experts wonder if military remembers lessons from Somalia affair

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NEW CF FITNESS TEST AIMS TO CUT GUT .. AND STAFF ?

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Dallaire mounts crusade against use of child soldiers

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3847 Rear Admiral (Retired) Denis Boyle, CMM, CD2 Named a Worldwide Who’s Who Professional of the Year for Excellence in Military Leadership

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FLASHBACK: March 17, 1937 – #126 Philip Primrose:

 Dies less than six months into term as lieutenant-governor Source

PHOTO CAPTION: CMA Case Competition winners from left to right: runner-up William Bellamy, first place winner Sangjae ( Eric) Choi and runner-up Shawn Goodfallow

Congratulations to the 2013 CMA Case Competition Winners

TORONTO – February 26, 2013 – Royal Military College of Canada  students 25742 Sangjae (Eric) Choi, M1019 William Bellamy and M0991 Shawn Goodfallow each deserve a round of applause for earning the top three spots at the Certified Management Accountants of Ontario (CMA) Case Competition on February 15, 2013. Sanjae won first place and was awarded $3,000 and the Case Competition Cup, and William Bellamy and Shawn Goodfallow each won the runner up prize of $1,500.

The CMA Case Competitions challenges students to put their strategic management and leadership skills to the test. Fifty-two students participated from 19 post-secondary institutions across Ontario. Shaun Goodfallow commented, “The Case Competition gave me a realistic view of problems implementing change within an organization.”

“The eighth annual CMA Case Competition has been a great success,” said Sharon Armstrong, MBA, CMA, Vice President, Business Development, CMA Ontario. “CMA Ontario is pleased to give students the opportunity to advance their skills in a situation close to the working environment.”

Competitors used ExperiencePoint, a computer-based, decision-driven simulation, where they were challenged to strategically advise a fictional company’s senior management on a change management plan given limited resources of time and money. ExperiencePoint offers a range of award-winning web-based simulations that are used in top business schools and Executive programs around the world.

This year, the teams were challenged to take on the role of a consultant to the fictional Global Tech Inc., a manufacturer of global positioning systems (GPS). Students were challenged to diagnose the issues, use change management principles, plan and implement their decision as to what the best strategy would be for the company.

Each team player taking part was a CMA Associate Student (www.cmaontario.org/student) and had completed, or is in the process of completing, a CMA Ontario recognized Introductory Management Accounting course (www.cmaontario.org/coursechart).

About the Certified Management Accountants of Ontario (CMA Ontario):

The Certified Management Accountants of Ontario is a self-governing professional organization that awards the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation to qualified candidates in Ontario. With some 25,000 members, CMA Ontario is an integral part of a profession that is 50,000 members strong across Canada and around the world. CMA Ontario maintains rigorous standards of accreditation and professionalism in management accounting to protect the public interest.

For further information: Caroline Kolch, Communications Manager, ckolch@cmaontario.org, (O) 416-204-3115, (M) 416-660-2583.

Chief of the Defence Staff Statement on the sentencing of Sub-Lieutenant Delisle

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16080 Douglas E. Delaney: The chalkboard battlefield

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Canada-U.S. Fulbright Foundation newsletter which describes a talk at RMCC on 21 January 2013 –

“Une Histoire peu connue de la discrimination en Nouvelle-Angleterre: Les Attaques du Ku Klux Klan sur les Franco-Américains lors de la première moitié du 20ème siècle,” Source

Retirements of senior military officers mean ‘extraordinary’ change for Canadian Forces

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‘Capt. Kirk’ has outer-space chat with 13738 Hadfield Class of ’82

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Canadian Forces Training in Northern Ontario

“Exercises such as TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2013 are an im portant way to practice winter skills and remain prepared to assist Canadians when and where needed,” said 16975 Brig.-Gen. Omer Lavoie, Commander JTFC. “The men and women of the Canadian Forces (CF) are proud and ready to assist fellow Canadians with rapid reaction and immediate effect on the ground as required in order to provide assistance to citizens and communities,”  Source

New Location, New Briefing for New Year

Article and Photos by 25366 Mike Shewfelt

The Kingston Branch of the RMC Club of Canada started the new year off with a new location for their monthly luncheon, and, appropriately, with a briefing on the goals and the future of the RMC Expedition Club. With the College Senior Staff Mess (SSM) currently undergoing renovations, the Branch members met in the Cadet Formal mess for drinks before heading downstairs for lunch before heading back upstairs for the briefing by members of the Expedition Club. The temporary location of the SSM, just off the Cadet Dining Hall, allowed Branch members to mingle with Cadets over lunch, something they don’t normally get to do.

Following lunch, 26268 OCdt (II) Stéphanie Paquette, 25982 OCdt (III) Colin Strong and 25919 OCdt (III) Raakesh Bharathi gave the Branch members a look at the short history and future plans of the Expedition Club. The Club, which got its start in 2010, is quickly becoming one of the College’s most popular, as well as one of its most ambitious. The Cadets gave the Kingston Branch an overview of just how the Club operates, including a look at the Club’s 3-part mandate of adventure training, cultural interaction, and academic research, before talking about just where the Club members have been to and just what they have done. (Click to enlarge photos.)

The Club has some pretty impressive accomplishments to date, as OCdt Paquette explained. She is the current Club President, having taken over OCdt Strong, and during the summer of 2012 she participated in an ultra-marathon on Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic. OCdt Bharathi spent time in the Amazon, with a number of other Cadets, during the 2012 Amazon expedition. Club members have also summited Mt. Aconcagua in South America, and Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa.

“One of our big problems is funding,” OCdt Strong told the group. “We’re trying to build a sustainable program, where one third of the costs of expeditions are raised by the Cadets, one third come from the Cadets themselves, and one third comes from the College or the RMC Foundation.” Taking 20 Cadets on the planned Arctic 2013 expedition, for example, will cost a total of over $100 000, all of which has to come from somewhere. “Expeditions that have been refused funding, including the Amazon expedition and the Baffin Island ultra-marathon, were executed at personal cost, and as a result were limited by the resources of the Cadets involved.”

Despite the costs, and the inherent safety risks present in all the Expedition Club does (safety is the first priority on expeditions, however), the Club has a lot to offer the College. As OCdt Paquette told the Branch members, Cadets plan the expeditions as much as is possible, and they emerge from the experience better off for having been a part of it. That the Club has a bright future ahead of it was evident in the enthusiasm of the Cadets doing the presentation, as well as in the multitude of questions that their presentation brought from the members of the Kingston Branch.

Photos from the luncheon (click to enlarge):

• RMC Cut – LARGER CLASSROOMS. CKWS video

• Injured RCAF officer (Tony O’Keeffe) makes stunning comeback in Ultraman Championship

• Few report sex assaults at military academies

• Let Women Fight

• Don Macnamara & Hugh Segal: We need F-35s because Canada is worth defending

• Service personnel could be hit by ‘bedroom tax’

• Marines to undergo random Breathalyzer tests

• Professor turns to music to help soldiers heal

• UAE to create ‘Sandhurst’ type military college

• 9599 Jim Prieur appointed to Manulife Board of Directors

• Military career a very tough sell for young Asian- and Arab-Canadians

• Canada’s former top soldier in Haiti has $6M lawsuit tossed

• Military families pushed to financial ruin as Defence, Treasury Board disagree

Monthly Luncheon Relocates for Informative Lecture

Article and Photos by 25366 Mike Shewfelt

This past Monday saw members of the Kingston Branch of the RMC Club of Canada meet on a different day and in a different venue, then they usually have. With the College Senior Staff Mess closed down for renovations, the members met at the CFB Kingston Officers’ Mess  for drinks, lunch, and a detailed presentation by LCol James Ostler, who served as the Deputy Commanding Officer and Chief of Staff of Op PROTEUS, the CF contribution to the United States Security Co-ordinator mission in Palestine, from July 2011 to Aug 2012. Throughout his presentation, LCol Ostler discussed both his role in the mission and the mission overall, including background on the local political situation.

“Op PROTEUS is not a combat mission,” stressed LCol Ostler, “and neither is it a humanitarian one. Our job was security sector reform. We worked with the US and other partners to improve the professionalism of the Palestinian security sector in the West Bank. In essence, we were helping them move from, in essence, armed gangs running around to professional security services that are accountable to the rule of law, not terrorism. As such, we were not political. We did not take sides in the issues.”

LCol Ostler went on to state that one of the biggest supporters of the mission were actually the Israelis. “In the five years that the mission has existed, the Israelis have seen an improvement in the West Bank because of the increased control that the Palestinian Liberation Organization now has over its security forces. As such, they were one of our biggest supporters.”

LCol Ostler also talked about the challenges of spending 13 months living and working in the West Bank. “It’s a dangerous place, to be sure,” he said, “and not just because of the obvious reasons. You also have to deal with the crazy drivers. We also had to deal cultural difficulties, as well. For example, we had expected a dry, desert winter. What we got instead was record rainfall, and snow, which we weren’t prepared for. We had to go out and buy a lot of umbrellas.”

26523 OCdt (II) Karl Grodzinski and 26349 OCdt (II) Derek Frank were guests of the Kingston Branch at the luncheon.

Due to the ongoing renovations of the Senior Staff Mess, the next 5 monthly meetings of the Kingston Branch will be held in the Cadet Formal Mess in Yeo Hall.

Photos from the luncheon (click to enlarge):

Commandant Pinch-Hits for MND in Currie Hall

On Friday, Nov 16, 75 individuals walked across the stage in Currie Hall to receive their PhDs, Masters, and Batchelors Degrees. BGen Eric Tremblay, College Commandant, presided over the ceremony in his role as Vice Chancellor of the College (Chancellor Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defense, was unable to be present), and Canadian author Margaret Atwood received an honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa  (see here for the story) and General Abdul Rahim Wardak received an honorary Doctor of Military Science, honoris causa.

e-Veritas noticed a number of ex-Cadets receiving degrees. If we missed anybody, please let us know.

Ex-Cadets who received degrees:

Master of Arts – Maîtrise ès arts

War Studies – Études sur la conduite de la guerre

Hunt, Christopher Warren, Major – Edmonton, AB 20766

Thesis – Mémoire : From Bears to Snakes: Army Transformation in Canada and the United States During the Post-Cold War and 9/11 Eras – De l’ours aux serpents : La transformation de l’armée canadienne et de l’armée américaine à la suite de la guerre froide et du 9/11 Thesis Supervisor – Directeur de mémoire : Dr. P. Mitchell

Batsford, Mark W. 14918, Commander - Kingston, ON

Dufault, François 21353, lieutenant-colonel - Montréal, QC

Ewing, Robert Bruce 14426, Lieutenant-Colonel - Trenton, ON

Master of Engineering – Maîtrise en génie

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering – Chimie et génie chimique

Sheink, Christian 22166, Major - Thetford Mines, QC

Master of Applied Science – Maîtrise ès sciences appliquées

Electrical and Computer Engineering – Génie électrique et informatique

Murdoch, Andrew Paul, Captain – Colborne, ON 22478

Thesis – Mémoire : Investigation and Design of a Very Compact Circularly Polarized Microstrip Antenna for Use on Micro-Satellites – Étude et conception d’une antenne microruban miniature à polarisation circulaire pour des applications micro-satellites Thesis Supervisor – Directeur de mémoire : Dr. Y.M.M. Antar

Master of Business Administration - Maîtrise en administration des affaires

Baskerville, Kaitlin Anne 24702, Second Lieutenant - Gatineau, QC

Lepp, Brent Gordon 21119, Lieutenant (Navy) - Saskatoon, SK

Master of Defence Studies – Maîtrise en études de la défense

Costelloe, Aidan Gerard 20725, Major - Ancaster, ON

Davidson, Bryan Douglas 20318, Lieutenant-Colonel - London, ON

Ermel, Ross William 16536, Colonel - Ottawa, ON

Kenny, Jason Christian 21103, Lieutenant-Colonel - Bathurst, NB

Koester, Tanya Laureen 17929, Commander - Ottawa, ON and Halifax, NS

Robidoux, Christopher L. 20836, Major - Sudbury, ON

Setchell, Nancy 21502, Lieutenant-Commander - Midland, ON

Ward, Michael 17033, Lieutenant-Colonel - Berwick, NS

Master of Defence Engineering and Management – Maîtrise en génie de la défense et en gestion

Cihlar, Janus Benjamin 22612, Major - Ottawa, ON

Koss, Ian Robert 20722, Major - Petawawa, ON

Morin, Michaël 23786, capitaine - Ste-Germaine, QC

Master of Public Administration – Maîtrise en administration publique

Gosselin, Dionysios G., Second Lieutenant – Regina, SK 24613

Thesis – Mémoire : Outsourcing Operational Effectiveness: A Case Study of the Royal Canadian Air Force – La sous-traitance de l’efficacité opérationelle : Une étude des cas en provenance de l’Aviation royale canadienne Thesis Supervisor – Directeur de mémoire : Dr. U. Berkok

Bachelor of Arts – Baccalauréat ès arts

Military and Strategic Studies and Psychology

Giberson, Stephen Bruce 20153, Major - Plaster Rock, NB

Bachelor of Science – Baccalauréat ès sciences

Mathematics

Chapman, Ryan James 25496, Officer Cadet – Chatham, NB

Computer Science

Chu, George Hua, rmc 25013, Naval Cadet - Vancouver, BC

Space Science

Tchernov, Ilya Alexeivich 25373, Naval Cadet - Moscow, RUSSIA

General Science

Hughes, Benjamin Joseph 25208, Officer Cadet - Dartmouth, NS

Sheasby, Edward B.W. 25456, Second-Lieutenant - Sussex, NB

Bachelor of Military Arts and Science – Baccalauréat ès arts et ès sciences militaires

Caron, François 19615, major - Québec, QC

Marshall, David Dallas 18210, Colonel (ret) – Portage la Prairie, MB

Continue for more photos and coverage of the 2012 Fall Convocation…

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8475 Rem Westland Shares High & Lows of Being an ex-Cadet in Politics

Article and Photos by 25366 Mike Shewfelt

It may have been a smaller crowd than usual at the recent monthly luncheon of the Kingston Branch of the RMC Club, but you wouldn’t have known it from the energy. Members of the club were treated to a presentation by 8475 Rem Westland, Class of ’70, who ran as the Conservative Candidate for the riding of Ottawa/Vanier in the May 2011 Federal Election. He may not have won, but his observations were insightful and thought provoking.

“I’m a product of this place,” Westland said, in reference to the College. “I’m not the first ex-Cadet to go into politics, and I certainly won’t be the last. When your country needs your services, saying no is not an option.”

As he went on to highlight the highs and lows of his time in politics, touching on everything from being selected as a candidate to running his campaign (“I tried to run my own campaign, which is something only an idiot does”), he reflected on how his training and time at the College played into who he was as a candidate. “We make good followers,” he said to his fellow ex-Cadets, “but only to a point. I was told to lead and I did, which you’re not really supposed to do. I wouldn’t play ball the way they wanted me to.”

Despite the challenges he faced and the fact that he didn’t went, Westland said it was more than worth it on a personal level. “My wife would kill me if I wanted to do it again,” he joked, “but it was worth it.”

Prior to the presentation, 2908 Al Pickering, Class of ’53, briefed the assembled Branch members on recent recruitment efforts at local high schools. “In past years, we’ve given College books to outstanding high school students,” he said. “This year we took it further, and invited these students to the College for the Badging Parade on Reunion Weekend. I am happy to report that it was a success. Students who knew little more about the College than that it exists now have an idea of what RMC is all about. As of right now, one student is going through the application process with the Recruiting Centre and two others are seriously considering it.”

More on the Book Award:

The Royal Military College is at its photogenic best on a sunny, fall day. These were the conditions when the Kingston Branch of the RMC Club introduced five outstanding local high school students to the College and the idea of becoming Cadets.

The Kingston Branch has been awarding picture books of RMC to outstanding students in over 20 area high schools for many years. The awardees are selected by their high schools for demonstrated excellence and leadership in academics, athletics and student affairs. The hope has been that some of these students would become interested in attending the College as Cadets. This year, for the first time, we invited them all and their families to attend the Badging Parade on Saturday during Ex-cadet Weekend. Five came, three with family members. One had already decided to apply, one has a cousin in the College but the others knew little about our university and its programs.

Four Cadets in scarlets who were not on parade accompanied the group along with three members of the branch. Seats were reserved in the bleachers right beside the dais. During the parade our visitors were given information about the parade, the College and the life of a Cadet.

Following the parade the Branch hosted the group for lunch in the Cadet dining room in Yeo Hall. They went through the cafeteria and ate the same food as the Cadets. The accompanying Cadets then conducted a tour of parts of the College that included the Fort Lasalle dormitory, the Massey Library, Currie Hall, Mackenzie Building and the RMC Museum in the Fort Frederick Martello Tower.

The guests were very appreciative of the opportunity for this experience. The idea of attending seemed to be well planted. The Kingston Branch will follow-up with these Book Award winners during the year. Branch members involved were Mary Darlington, Al Pickering, Dusty Miller and Andrew Robb.

Recruiting Success – The Little Things

Jordan Killen is a first year cadet at RMC in 2012. His parents and twin sisters were in the stands on Ex-cadet Weekend proudly watching the Badging Parade. When Jordan was in grade 12 in Peterborough, ON, he attended a university fair with his choice of three universities firmly in his mind. While at the fair he walked over to the RMC table as there was no one talking to the College representatives. He became interested in College from this conversation and applied. His sisters have been so impressed with their big brother’s experience that they plan to apply to the College in 2013.

You never know when a word, a suggestion or an invitation will ignite a spark that will lead to a recruiting success.

Photos from the luncheon (click to enlarge):

Record Crowd for Last Kingston Branch Luncheon of the Summer

Article and Photos by 25366 Mike Shewfelt

More than thirty members of the Kingston Branch of the RMC Club met in the Senior Staff Mess for the last Branch luncheon of the summer. With next month’s luncheon heralding a return to winter dress, the Branch members made the most of the beautiful weather as they mingled, ate lunch in the Mess and then received a briefing on the state of the Academic side of the College given by Dr. Joel Sokolsky, RMCC principal.

In front of a challenging crowd that included two former commandants (3572 Frank Norman and 4459 Ed Murray), two former principals (H3948 John Plant and H24263 John Scott Cowan) and former Speaker of the House S149 Peter Milliken, Dr. Sokolsky spoke to concerns that those present may have had after the extensive media coverage the College has received in the last few months. “The semester that started this week was the one we planned for. We have a full slate of courses,” he said. “In discussions with Ottawa, we made the point that the lead time we had been given was not enough to make changes in time for this semester, so the one we have is the one we were planning on.”

Dr. Sokolsky emphasized that even with the financial cut backs, the College is progressing with new academic initiatives. “One program that we are moving forward with,” he explained, “is an internship program with the federal government whereby deserving Cadets can spend a semester working on Parliament Hill. Right now we can’t respond to all of the requests we’re getting from Ottawa for Cadets to do internships.”

While he could not speak in detail on the future of the College, Dr. Sokolsky did comment on the difficulties in finding a workable solution. “It’s all about balance. On any given issue you have you three perspectives at play: the academic, the military, and the university. How do you balance those…? It’s not easy, but we do it, and we have to do it, every day.”

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70th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid

Submitted by: 8057 Ross McKenzie

Operation “Jubilee” – 19 August 1942- The Raid on Dieppe

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Raid on Dieppe and this occasion offers us an opportunity to reflect on the gallantry and sacrifice of those who died that day.

Shortly after 0500 hrs. on 19 August 1942, units of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, supported by the Royal Navy, Commandos and Squadrons of the RAF and RCAF, landed on the beaches before and flanking the Normandy town of Dieppe. The bitter struggle of the ensuing nine-hours resulted in the highest single day losses suffered by the Canadian Army during the entire Second World War. Of the 4963 Canadian troops who embarked for the Raid, 3367 (or 68%) became casualties and of these 907 died.

At least 25 ex-cadets were involved in the Raid. Two, #1425 Capt. W.R. Dillon and # 2383 Capt. E.R. Eaton were Killed-in-Action and nine others became Prisoners-of-War. Two Victoria Crosses were subsequently awarded. Captain, the Reverend John W. Foote, Padre of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, and ex-cadet, #1866 Lt-Col. C.C. I. Merritt, Commanding Officer of the South Saskatchewan Regiment, were both recognized for their outstanding gallantry.

Blow out, you bugles, over the rich Dead!

There’s none of these so lonely and poor of old,

But, dying, has made us rarer gifts than gold.

le 70e anniversaire du raid de Dieppe

Opération “Jubilee” -19 août 1942- Le Raid de Dieppe

Ce dimanche marque le 70e anniversaire du raid sur Dieppe et à cette occasion nous réfléchissons sur la bravoure et le sacrifice de ceux qui sont morts ce jour-là.

Peu de temps après 0500 heures le 19 août 1942, les unités de la 2e division d’infanterie canadienne, soutenu par la Royal Navy, Commandos et les escadrons de la RAF et l’ARC, ont débarqués sur les plages d’avant et d’accompagnement de la ville normande de Dieppe.

Ces combats acharnés se déroulent pendant neuf heures, ont entraînés les plus lourdes pertes subies en une seule journée de l’Armée canadienne pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale toute entière.

Parmi les 4963 soldats canadiens qui se sont embarqués pour le Raid, 3367 (soit 68%) sont devenu victimes et 907 morts.

Au moins 25 anciens élèves-officiers ont été impliqués dans le Raid. Deux, # 1425 le capitaine W.R. Dillon et # 2383 le capitaine E.R. Eaton ont été tués par l’ennemi et neuf autres ont été faits prisonniers de guerre.

Deux Croix de Victoria ont été descerné par la suite. Le capitaine, le révérend John W. Foote, aumônier de la Royal Hamilton Light Infantry et ancien, # 1866 le lieutenant-colonel C.C. I. Merritt, commandant de la South Saskatchewan Regiment ont été tous deux reconnus pour leur bravoure exceptionnelle.

Blow out, you bugles, over the rich Dead!

There’s none of these so lonely and poor of old,

But, dying, has made us rarer gifts than gold.