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In This Issue 9:

Ex-Cadets and more in the News…

Spotlight on Professors: Dr. Nicholas Vlachopoulos

Extraordinary Ex-Cadets: Dick Mohns, Class of ’75

The Alpha and Omega of a Military Career

House Hunting Trip (HHT) Contact Our Partners

Victoria Edwards, In Conversation: E3096 LCol Dan Drew, “not your typical RMC graduate”

Do You Know These 3?

CMRSJ Mali / RMCSJ & Mali Visit

Qu’est-ce qui se passe au CMR Saint-Jean

The Week That Was…

Sandhurst Team Off to a Good Start

Kilimanjaro Expedition Dispatch: Days 9,10, & 11

Victoria Edwards, In Conversation: MWO Chris Embree, RMC Band Officer

Careers | Carrières & Tip of the Hat

Deaths | Décès

…..

Check out the Club Web site

Visitez le site Web du Club

Ex cadet Competing at the International Level

17383 Lucy Cerantola (RMC 1990) (nee Rourke) has a big date coming up 2-3 March in Columbus, Ohio where she will be competing in the Arnold Sports Festival.

Yes, that Arnold!

http://www.arnoldsportsfestival.com/

The former RMC Cadet Wing Sports & Recreation Officer has the support of a number of friends and, of course, her family. She gratefully stated:  “I am fortunate to be able to work in an industry that helps youth and adults build healthy bodies and they inspire me to set my own goals!”

The photo (above) is  from her last competition almost 1 year ago in April 2011. This was at the Canadian Natural Physique Championships. Women’s Bodybuilding (Amateur) in Heavyweight where she placed 2nd  which allowed her to compete at the  international level.  Previous e-Veritas article.

______________________

Go ahead, jump!

“I tried bungee jumping, rock climbing, downhill ski racing; I like speed, I like to go fast!”

21556 Andrea Greening

To learn more about Crimson Fox and their path to the World Parachuting Championship in Dubai 2012, please visit www.crimsonfox.ca. For information on sponsorship packages please contact the team at info@crimsonfox.ca.

_________________________________

Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. Appoints New COO to Defence and Aerospace Business Unit

Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. CA has appointed Michael O’Rourke (Mike) to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Defence and Aerospace (D&A) business unit. Mike brings considerable defence industry and operational experience to Bluedrop.

15165 Michael O’Rourke  Article

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Manotick scholar awarded Diamond Jubilee medal

“The main goal is to have a world we can survive in, and that’s a very important component in sustainability,”

4106 Peter Meincke  Article

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Women In The Canadian Forces (CF)

Article

1 Fighter Wing reunion in Marville, France

Article

National Flag of Canada Day – H 7860 Hon. Roméo Antonius Dallaire

Article

In Afghanistan, Canada’s female soldiers earned the right to fight, and die, as equals

Article

Dr. Nicholas Vlachopoulos – The Life Lessons Start Here…

Article by 24992 OCdt (IV) Eric Robb

Dr. Vlachopoulos (19930), or Dr “V’ (or formally, Major “V”) as we commonly refer to him, has really made an impact on our Civil Engineering Degree program. By ‘setting the tone’ as we began our real civil engineering degrees at the end of second year, most students in the department were immediately introduced to the high standard of engineering writing, thinking, constantly learning. We still cannot figure out how and why the heck Least Squares Analysis works in Geomatics, however, this cannot be attributed to his lack of trying, and it’s probably more of our lack of understanding… he is a master of waving his wand!

The first thing that struck me about this professor is how much he really and genuinely cares about his students. He is extremely demanding but balances this with humanity and constant wake up calls. I remember the discussions in (and out of) class that had to do with professional development, education, learning, degree programs, and careers. It was great to have a prof that listened and related to the students and also took the time to share his thoughts and experiences with us. He always told us to invest in ourselves, to invest in our education and to make education a life-long learning process. We learned, in time, that he was also a share-holder in this concept as he would always be willing to help out any student in need.

The next thing that really made an impact on me is just how diverse and involved he is on so many fronts. He was still in the military when he last taught our class and I was wondering how he was able to be in uniform (i.e. deploy to Bosnia, Afghanistan etc.) and also be able to be involved in so many research programs (Tunnel Engineering, RMC Green Team etc.) and also obtain a PhD. Commonly referred by the Civil Engineers as ‘the busiest man in Canada,’ Maj. V revolves his life around a very minimum 3 undergrad thesis design’s, 2 Masters thesis, a couple Ph.D papers, heading the RMC Green team, teaching numerous classes at both RMC and Queens, writing documents for secret geotechnical societies around the world – all while managing to raise a family, manage his career, offer design guidance to struggling undergrads, and give life lessons in class. Not to mention, he is still trying to improve his skills on the rink so he can score some goals in the next Civ Eng Hockey tournament. He brought all of this experience into the classroom and augmented his lectures with real-life examples drawn from his vast experience. He always mentioned to us that, “the military may seem like a very constrictive organization but nothing could be further from the truth”. He stated that he was appreciative of the support he received from all of his superiors and it was only a matter of how passionate and pro-active one wanted to be in order to take their career in a certain direction. Seeing Dr. V’s drive and motivation to never stop is inspirational to the students as we go through our degree.

Having Dr. V as a mentor has really helped us develop our own engineering work ethic, logic, and problem solving skills. The importance of looking at problems from every angle, taking all of the constraints and limitations into account, and solving the right problem effectively and to the engineering standard has been a lesson I will always remember. We have worked long days in a remote areas under poor weather conditions but morale was high and the support we received was tremendous. We saw how the skills we learned in class were now transitioned into a practical use.

I believe that having professors such as Dr. V in front of the classroom is what RMC is all about. We should have more such role models that inspire us to do our best, humble us enough to expand our potential and encourage us to succeed. He has been nominated for the Class of 1965 Teaching Award multiple times and rightfully so. It’s unbelievable he has not won that award as of yet, perhaps our department is too small to influence such decisions.

As I prepare to graduate from RMC with a Civil Engineering Degree in May, I cannot help but reflect on the past 4 years and the result of the investment into my own education. There have been many positive things that I have gained from my academic program and my professors have been a large part of that. I know that I will always have the support of professors such as Dr. V. and would like to thank him for all of the lessons learned and for the genuine support and mentorship he has provided. As Dr. V says, ‘It’s Aaaaall Good’!

Dick Mohns Credits His Success to the Friendships Forged at RMC

Article by 25366 NCdt (IV) Mike Shewfelt

10601 Richard (Dick) Mohns graduated in 1975 after four years at RMC, Kingston. His original intent was to complete his four year commitment and leave the military for a civilian industry career; however, as he says, “I grew to love what I was doing and before I knew it a fabulous 30 year career as an Aerospace Engineer (AERE) had passed!”

His AERE career provided him with great challenge, adventure and an opportunity to live in all parts of Canada and to do two tours outside the country. In the end, he moved thirteen times, with tours in Greenwood NS, Comox BC, St Hubert QC and four tours in Ottawa. He also had the distinct pleasure to serve in Lahr, Germany from 1982-84 and he did a one year tour in Washington, DC attending the National Defence University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1998-99.

In 2002, while serving as a Colonel at the Director of Recruiting, Education, and Training in Ottawa, Mohns left the CF for the civil sector. Since then he has maintained strong contacts with the military, having been involved with several major acquisition programs in the aerospace world. These included the Maritime Helicopter, Chinook Helicopter, and Fixed Wing Search and Rescue programs. In doing so, he has held senior positions with General Dynamics Canada, The Boeing Company, and L-3 Communications. Dick Mohns currently works for Provincial Aerospace Ltd, a “vibrant and dynamic St. John’s Newfoundland based company” as Senior Director, Business Development and Government Relations. He resides in Ottawa.

Mohns attributes his success in the industrial world to his time at RMC and the friendships he made there. “I have continued to work with dedicated professionals, many of whom are ex-Military, on large project teams,” he said. “I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to smoothly transition into industry and to retain my associations with the Canadian Forces. In many ways, it is again the friendships and associations established throughout my time at RMC and in the military that enables my work in Industry.”

“I enjoyed so many tremendous jobs in my career,” says Mohns, “but there are a few highlights that do stand out. My years in Lahr Germany with 444 Tactical Helicopter Squadron as the Maintenance and Engineering Officer were memorable both because of the operational nature of the work and because of the spectacular social life we enjoyed. Operationally, the annual six week exercise on the Hohenfels range close to the then East German border was demanding but rewarding. On one occasion we were conducting a night driving exercise on what we discovered were hazardously dry dirt roads. The dust became so thick that we were placed in a “black out” situation. My jeep left the road, hit an open culvert, flipped and dropped about 3 meters into a narrow ditch. What could have been disastrous resulted in nothing more than a slightly damaged jeep and my hurt pride! On the social side, we learned to ski in Austria, Switzerland, Germany and France. We were afforded the opportunity to soak up an amazing amount of European culture including copious quantities of world-class wine! The entire tour in Lahr remains a highlight for myself and my family to this day.”

Perhaps his greatest personal accomplishment is his time as Project Manager for the Canadian Search and Rescue Helicopter. Col Mohns’ team were successful in designing and leading a Major Crown program to replace the aging Labrador helicopter. The ultimate decision to acquire the EH-101 as Canada’s new SAR helicopter was politically unpopular with the government of the day and the politicians purportedly wanted to cancel the decision by finding fault with the acquisition process, says Mohns. However, intense scrutiny by a number of “auditing legal teams” could find no error in his team’s process and ultimately the decision stood.

Following his time with the Project he was sent to Washington DC to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. As a more mature and experienced student, Mohns embraced the program and finished as one of the top students, receiving a Master of Science degree as a Distinguished Graduate. “We were the only two Canadians in a course of 300 and to attain this top position remains a highlight for me. There is little question that my education and training in the Military starting with RMC provided the foundation enabling a top result on this prestigious program.”

In his last tour in uniform Mohns was honoured to be the Branch Advisor for the Aerospace Engineering profession. “Working with the other Colonels and our Brigadier General, 9805 Dwayne Lucas (Class of ’73) was a satisfying opportunity to provide key guidance and direction to enable the continued successful evolution of the profession,” he says.

In concert with his rewarding work in uniform, Mohns has also continued to play hockey at a competitive level and has participated in numerous military regional and national championships over the years. “I was lucky enough to have been appointed Captain of most of the Base teams I have played on including the Greenwood Bombers, the Ottawa Falcons, the RCHA/444 Squadron Gunners (in Lahr) and the base teams at Comox and St. Hubert.”

For Mohns, this competition has reinforced and/or developed numerous friendships and provided a natural forum for on-going fitness. He continues to play hockey on a team that is all current or ex-military, two of whom played with him on the RMC Redmen, 10161 Marc Ouellet (Class of ’74) and 10622 Larry Russel (Class of ’75).

Those that might remember him from his RMC days will definitely relate to his exploits in sports, not to his academic performance! As Mohns says, “My acceptance into RMC was aided and abetted by the College’s burning desire to stop a painful six-year losing streak to West Point in hockey! I was a reasonable Junior A hockey player playing out of Petawawa/Pembroke and this without question enhanced by acceptance.”

Mohns played on the varsity hockey at RMC throughout his four years at the College, and has many memories from those games. “In my first RMC/West Point game in Kingston in 1972 we beat them convincingly 7-4 and I had two goals and three assists; this game has remained a magnificent highlight to this day! I went on to play four enjoyable years of varsity hockey and was the Captain of the team in my fourth year. Like all varsity teams at RMC we struggled with a dearth of talent but always represented ourselves with tenacity and garnered a genuine respect from all opponents. I developed many extraordinary friendships at RMC but none stronger than with my hockey team-mates, many of whom I retain strong friendships with to this day.”

Next to the sports, Mohns remembers with fondness the unique dynamic of the daily routine at RMC. “Everything was meant to challenge and as a result successes, even minor ones, ultimately resulted in significant personal satisfaction and growth,” he says. “I credit RMC for extracting every bit of possible potential out of me. I was never a strong academic but with the inherent support of staff and friends I was able to graduate without ever having to write a supplementary exam; this for me will always stand out as an extraordinary achievement!”

The other memories that stand out for Mohns are the incredible highs and lows of recruit camp. Most of the “highs,” he says, came from having a great squadron and a winning chemistry that led to their winning most competitions. However, that is not what stands out the most for Mohns. For him, what remains indelibly etched in his mind are the “character building hours of very long, challenging days, being regularly “chewed-out” for the first time in my life, and the countless hours reflecting on what the “bleep” I was doing there.”

“Recruit camp culminated with the infamous obstacle course which our Squadron won,” he says. “At that time, it was also an individual race in which I ended up coming second, another achievement that I reflect upon with pride. Anecdotally, there was an external movement to pressure RMC to cease the “barbaric practice” of this obstacle course and on the front page of the Kingston Whig Standard the next day was a picture of me writhing in pain having just collapsed over the finishing line! What they didn’t appreciate was the unmatched feeling of accomplishment I felt. My mother kept that picture in a scrap book and presented it to me years later. I was also particularly proud of graduating with “four bars” as the Cadet Wing Recreation Officer; recreation and socialization were definitely my forte! Again, I remain close friends with many of my fellow graduates that lived in Cadet HQ on the top floor of Fort Lasalle.”

For Mohns, other events that elicit a smile upon reflection were the annual snowball fight on the parade square following the first snowfall (it was the College versus the Stone Frigate), as well the orchestrated dances at the cadet mess to match up lonely cadets with the girls from Queens and Hotel Dieu. “Many a lasting relationship can trace its origin to one of these dances,” says Mohns.

Not surprisingly, the staff he most remembers includes his hockey coach, MWO Tom Walton and those profs that were strong supporters of the varsity team.

As for life today, Mohns says, “My wife and I have been fortunate to acquire a magnificent piece of land on the Ottawa River near Orleans and in 2007 we built our dream home. There has been and hopefully will continue to be a regular stream of ex-Cadets through the doors to enjoy the surroundings with us… life is good!”

The Alpha and Omega of a Military Career

A remembrance of Major-General (retired) Donald Gray in the twenty-fifth year of his retirement from the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Forces in 1987 while wintering in Florida in 2012. This vignette is a tiny part of his memoirs which may some day appear in print.  – 3667 RRMC-RMC 1952-1956, B.Sc (Queen’s ’57), M.Eng (RMC ’67)

Alpha

“Get off of that bus, Recruit!” screamed a young fellow in a black battle dress jacket with red stripes on his matching dark trousers. I remember trying to move quickly to melt into the crowd. There were, at least, a hundred others like me all trying to squeeze through the bus door at the same time. And all of us were trying to be invisible.

It was 12 September 1952. I was over 3000 miles from home. Kingston was a hazy memory and already I was questioning my decision to attend Royal Roads Military College. As I stood there in blazer and flannels in the hot B.C. afternoon sunshine I was sure that I had made a mistake. I fancied the other road that I might have taken. Queen’s University in engineering and living at home! I could picture myself still in Kingston, face painted purple, dressed in jeans, drinking beer and probably trying to climb a greased pole or engaged in some other equally creative endeavour.

Do I really want to do this? Do I really want to leave home? A non-question! I already had! And to make matters worse I had only been given a one-way ticket to the West coast.

My forlorn companions and I, through a combination of high school cadet training, verbal threats and fear, actually found ourselves in a rough military formation. It was a near miracle that this had happened because, if left to our own devices, we might have made military history by creating a platoon formation with only a rear rank!

Cool satisfaction was apparent on the faces of those already in uniform (Cadet Officers). They strutted around and through the ranks directing, in loud voices, that high school rings, indications of city, province or other such childish marks of identity and self-importance had no place in this college. These items were to be immediately removed and placed out of sight.

This order was quickly carried out, although one could sense that we newcomers were reluctant to hide these symbols of place and recently achieved accomplishments.

After several minutes of feverish activity while we recruits obeyed this first indignity of a first year cadet, the parade was suddenly called to attention.

“STEADY UP YOU PEOPLE…. PARADE AWTTEN..TION!”

“STAND STILL… EYES FRONT!”

There was a kind of a dais in front of the parade ground and the suggestion of a stairway down to the Castle was confirmed by a series of sharp and quick footsteps rising quickly to the parade level. Oh Lord, HE is coming our way!

The one who seemed to be in charge turned quickly and drove his right foot down with a CRACK completing the turn.

“Chief, the 1952 Junior Term of Royal Roads is formed up and ready for your further direction!” reported the Senior Cadet in short clipped words.

“Gentlemen I am Chief Petty Officer Sealey of the Royal Canadian Navy and I am in charge of your administration!”

The new cadets hesitantly turned their eyes toward the Chief. The effect of the Chief’s uniform was impressive. Blue predominated with flashes of gold and white as counterpoint. High on his left shoulder were ribbons of campaigns and service. The Battle of the Atlantic, Korea, UN Service, Victory, Volunteer, Long Service…

He continued. “The Commandant will officially welcome you later, this is not a welcome. Do you hear! You will learn that this ship (ship?) is run by the numbers! My numbers! I will lend you each a little of my domain, by the numbers, and you will, at your peril, look after each little piece of my sphere! Do you hear there?”

“I am now going to read each of your names. A number will follow each name. You must etch this number on your brain, because I am aware that ALL high school graduates have very fertile brains.”

“If you forget your number it will cause me to become upset and angry! Do you hear? Those who forget their numbers will report to me after the parade. I will be very unhappy and may become violent with those who forget. Do you hear there?”

The total effect of the Chief’s presence, the awesome surroundings of Royal Roads and his words had a sobering effect on me. By the time I had finished weighing the words of the Chief, the Chief had already past the “Gs” and I had missed my number! Fear usually precedes panic! Good Lord, what is (was?) MY NUMBER? Surely mine will be the shortest military career in Canadian history.

The Chief having finished reading all of our names and turned to the senior cadet and said, “Carry on please.”

The Senior Cadet turned to the parade. “On the command DISMISS, you will all turn right, carry your hand baggage into the lower passageway of the Cadet Block and report to the Reading Room where you will state your name and NUMBER! You will be given a set of keys. You will then report back to this parade ground.”

“PARADE TURN RIGHT … DISMISS!”

The recruits who knew their numbers turned right and, at various speeds of keenness, headed toward the Cadet Block. One cadet (me) did not turn or move. I eyed the Chief who was still standing on the dais with a look of cruel anticipation on his face. I dropped my bag and forced my feet to move me toward the Chief.

“Excuse me Sir!”

“Don’t call me Sir!”

“Excuse me Chief, I have….”

“You have forgotten your number…what is your name?”

“It’s Gray, D.M…Uh…. from Kingston (hoping that tidbit would garner some sympathy), Chief!”

“Your number, son, is. let me see. is.. 3667! Carry on, please… Mr….. uh… Gray…. from Kingston!” I was stunned; he actually gave me a reassuring half wink from a twinkling eye! My confidence soared! I might survive after all!

Omega

The foregoing was the Alpha of my military career, my retirement (the Omega) occurred thirty-five years later in National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. I was then a “two star” general, almost at the end of my career. I had been wined and dined, I had inspected parades and all the rest of it to celebrate my retirement. I had traveled overseas and from sea to sea saying goodbye to mostly military engineers. My wife and I, with several other retirees couples, had been entertained in the General Officers Mess in Rockcliffe by a marvelous mess dinner that was attended by over a hundred dignitaries. I was proud of the CF and myself, but I was ready to hang up my baton.

There was just one more official duty to perform. I had to report to the Release Center at NDHQ to sign my official release papers. I really had no idea what they were, but I sensed the majesty of my rank was already deflating, and going downhill very fast.

The Chief Warrant Officer who ran the release center politely invited me into his office to sign a number of documents. When that was finished he said that he would have his Corporal escort me to the front door of NDHQ.

I remarked that that wouldn’t be necessary because I certainly knew my way around the HQ and could find the front door.

He smiled and said, “Yes Sir, I know that but you have just turned in your building pass and your ID card, and you now have no official standing.”

“Corporal, would you please escort, the General to the entrance. And see him safely out!”

And to me he said, “Goodbye Sir! And Good luck!” And that was that!

Ed: We will catch up with the 1949 / 50 First Year Diary of  3069 W.A. McColl.

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“I am not the typical RMC graduate – having said that I am grateful for the opportunity to complete my degree and for the advanced educational opportunities that are made available for members of the CF.” – LCol Dan Drew

E3161 Victoria Edwards (RMC 2003) interviewed E3096 LCol Daniel Drew OMM, CD (RMC 2004), who assumed Command of Canadian Forces Base Suffield in June of 2005 and is currently the Senior Military Officer at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Suffield.

e-veritas: How did you come to be a U.S. Army Ranger?

E3096 LCol Daniel Drew: I joined the Canadian Forces in June 1976 as an Officer Cadet in the Officer Candidate Training Program, which trains civilian candidates and selected serving members, for service as commissioned officers in the Regular Force. In 1977, I was commissioned in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) as a Second Lieutenant. I was selected for Ranger training after applying for one of the 6-9 positions that were offered to Canada in 1980. I graduated in 1980 as the Officer Distinguished Honour Graduate and the winner of the Merrill’s Marauder Award for Leadership and Navigation Excellence. U.S. Ranger School at Fort Benning, G.A. is a tough training course developing expertise in leading Soldiers on difficult missions – in close combat and direct-fire battles. The three phases of Ranger School, ‘crawl’, ‘ ‘walk’ and ‘run’ require Soldiers to make quick decisions in adverse situations. Lasting 20 days, crawl is designed to assess and develop the necessary physical and mental skills to complete combat missions. During the 21 day walk phase, students receive instruction on planning, preparing and executing a variety of combat patrol missions in a mountainous environment. Run Phase training develops the students’ ability to lead small units on airborne, air assault, small boat, ship-to-shore, and dismounted combat patrol operations in a swamp environment against a well-trained, sophisticated enemy.

e-veritas: Before starting your undergraduate degree at RMC as a mature student, you had completed a graduate level program at Marine Corps Staff College.

E3096 LCol Daniel Drew: Yes. My first real taste of university-level academic life, however, was in 1997 when I attended a ten month intensive Marine Corps War College® at Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia. The program involved the study of national military strategy, theatre strategy and plans, and military support within the context of national security policies, decision-making, objectives, and resources. At the time, I was ineligible to participate in the masters’ degree in Strategic Studies program since the Marine Corps University’s graduate degree programs require that candidates hold a qualifying undergraduate degree. I returned to RMC hungry for more academic challenges.

e-veritas: How did you come to graduate from RMC as a mature student in 2003?

E3096 LCol Daniel Drew: As a member of the Air Cadets c. 1972-3, I toured Fort Henry and the Royal Military College of Canada. When I decided to join the Canadian Forces, I applied to RMC right out of high school. Unfortunately, I was so busy with hockey that my high school grades dropped and my application was not accepted. After taking my commission in the PPCLI, I served in all three battalions of my Regiment and 2 Airborne Commando, The Canadian Airborne Regiment. In addition to six Regimental tours, including five operational tours overseas, I was employed as an Operations Staff Officer at Area and Army level and as a Company Commander in the School of Infantry in Gagetown, NB. As a mature student, I completed the majority of courses towards my Bachelor of Mil Arts and Sciences degree from RMC via distance education, complemented by a year of full time study at U of Alberta in 2003.

e-veritas: You had the opportunity to give several invited addresses at RMC.

E3096 LCol Daniel Drew: Yes. The first invited address at RMC was on leadership in the context of peacekeeping operations based on my experiences commanding Delta Company of the Second Battalion during the Medak Pocket operation in Croatia in 1993, an action for which the Second Battalion was awarded the Commander-in-Chief’s Commendation. My second invited address at RMC was on domestic operations; based on my experiences as lead planner at LFWA HQ for the mega-security operation that was mounted in conjunction with the G8 held in Kananaskis in June 2002.

e-veritas: You recently presented “Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan: The Canadian Experience, 2008″ at a Graduate Strategic Studies Conference: Strategy, Security, Defence. You presented on the same topic at Fort Hood, Fort Benning and at Marine Corps University in the USA.

E3096 LCol Daniel Drew: Yes, my experience is based on my operational tours. In 2008, I was the Deputy Commander of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) for Task Force 1-08 where I worked very closely with the XO or Deputy Commander of an ANA Brigade. The “Omelet” teams work with the 1st Brigade 205 Corps, Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP) to help smother Taliban hotspots. I was one of about 200 Canadians embedded in 1/205, a brigade of 3,000 in Kandahar province for about seven months in 2008. I mentored Ahmed Habbibi, an outstanding officer on the battlefield, who now commands 1/205 Brigade. Pictured below is an OMLT team in the Arghandhab District in late June 08 during a lull in the fighting. We were dispatched to that area to deal with a Taliban threat to the north of Kandahar City after the big Saraposa prison breakout. (L to R Cpl D.A. MacDonald, Sgt P. Sprenger, myself, Capt Bob Barker and Cpl C.T. Vickerman). All of those men were decorated for their courageous conduct during that foray into that district; at the time we were all members of 3PPCLI. In the intervening years, the ANA has grown from 1 brigade to 5. In 2011, I assumed the duties of Chief of Staff for a NATO Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan that supervised the training and development of the Afghan National Army.

e-veritas: Any lessons learned?

E3096 LCol Daniel Drew: Since the Afghan troops are for the most part illiterate; I argue that there must be a greater emphasis on training and educating the soldiers. While the lack of basic literacy skills has some impact on conveying routine soldier skills such as cleaning weapons, it has more of an impact on administration and logistics. The US had supplied computers and software to the Afghan National Army’s KANDAK 5 combat services support to account for, manage the supply chain and inventory of spare parts of the combat vehicles and weapons. In retrospect, training the ANA in the use of writing paper records by hand could have been more productive, and less complicated than computerization.

To be effective, the military needs to develop its cultural understanding of Afghanistan. Deployable cultural specialists provide cultural awareness training. Most Service personnel got just a couple of days of cultural awareness briefing before deploying to Afghanistan, and the training need was poorly defined e.g. count 1-20, say hi and bye, we need to do a better job in the future. One way to do that is to use Afghan Canadians as Language and Cultural Advisers, a practice that is presently used but needs to be expanded. I would see an LCA selected by the deploying unit as being an embedded asset from beginning of pre deployment training – that way he would become a member of the team while concurrently conducting continuous language and cultural training for the troops. We can also take advantage of training aids such as Rosetta Stone language training CDs, every soldier should have one to learn with and their should be defined vocabulary goals i.e. 200 words of Pashtu or Dari and perhaps 10 phrases. I was lucky enough to have an LCA, his name was Salim, and he was an invaluable asset; not only was he able to speak to the locals, he was fully cognizant of the culture and because he was a Canadian he was not a security risk.

e-veritas: As Senior Military Officer at the DRDC Suffield, you believe that the Canada Blast Injury Program is the most important area of research for our veterans.

E3096 LCol Daniel Drew: IEDs are the Taliban’s weapon of choice. IEDs are used to blow up soldiers on foot patrol, as well as vehicles. The Taliban plant IEDs in roads, in fields, along paths, and in stone walls. With so many of the 30,000 troops in Canada’s combat mission to Afghanistan exposed to blast and the potential for long-range damage, research into the effect blast has on the brain is probably the most important program at DRDC now for our veterans since it will produce hard evidence for development of policies around measuring and recording soldiers’ exposure to blast and determining exposure limits. Between 35 and 40 specialists at Suffield are involved in the program, including microbiologists, toxicologists, pharmacologists, neuroscientists, physicists, and blast specialists. The Blast Injury Program is trying to answer key questions: How much exposure leads to brain damage? Does a severe blast cause immediate as well as delayed injuries? Is there an accumulated effect from being exposed several times to minor blasts? See http://www.legionmagazine.com/en/index.php/2011/11/inside-the-blast-part-1-anatomy-of-an-explosion/

A) Who Is She?

Her birthday falls on Halloween;

Graduate of Bayridge Secondary School,  Kingston ON;

Entered military college at Royal Roads; studied and completed Chemical and Materials Engineering at Royal Military College of Canada;

Varsity cross country runner;

Big fan of Dallas Cowboys & Johnny Cash music;

Started civilian career as an open-hole Wireline Field Engineer;

Moved on about nine years later as a Wireline Technical Support Engineer;

Spent time as Regional Manager – Rocky Mountain Region for a public company that provides reservoir description, production enhancement, and reservoir management services to the oil and gas industry worldwide;

Currently the Senior Production Engineer for one of the USA leading independent energy companies engaged in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of crude oil and natural gas;

Proud mother of Joe.

A) Who Is She?

a) 20960 Sue Stefko;

b) 20901 Dawn Burgess Lima;

c) 20453 Lauralee Wingert; or

d) 20476 Catherine Bailey

 B) Who Is He?

Entered at Royal Roads Military College graduated from RMC with a BSc, Applied Science;

Played on the RMC First Fifteen rugby team;

Spent a total of 23 years in the CF;

Served two different tours with the Snowbirds – first as Snowbird 9 – just 5 years from leaving RMC;

14 years from graduation he was Commanding Officer and Team Leader including the 20th anniversary of the Snowbirds;

Following CF career – Airliners flown over 15 years, 7 months include: the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777-200/300/300ER;

He “retired” as a Training Captain on the B-777 based in Hong Kong;

Team pilot and historian for the Centennial Heritage Flight that toured Canada in celebration of the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada;

Author and Publisher of “A Tradition of Excellence – Canada’s Airshow Team Heritage”. Now in its second printing, at 768 pages and with over 1,800 photographs, the book is the largest single volume aviation title ever published in Canada;

Team Leader and Demo Pilot of the Vintage Wings of Canada F-86 Sabre restored in the colours of the legendary RCAF Golden Hawks aerobatic team;

Captain with Top Aces Inc; Top Aces Inc provides dedicated combat support training to the Canadian Forces and quality assurance to Canada’s radar warning systems in conjunction with the Canadian NORAD region.

B) Who Is He?

a) 11873 Richie Clements;

b) 10161 Marc Ouellet;

c) 10223 Dan Dempsey; or

d) 9360 Terry Hunt

 C) Who Is He?

Entered CMC program at RRMC; finished at RMC – Honours Economics and Commerce, Economics and Commerce;

Solid two way player with the hockey Redmen competing in the OUAA;

Spent five years in the Canadian Forces following his RMC days mostly filling staff positions at NDHQ, Ottawa;

First position in a suit following his CF career was as a Credit manager for a global group of energy of petrochemicals companies;

Just under three years in that position he moved up to Manager Customer Service and Collections, Commercial and Wholesale Products;

A short 13 months later became Senior Economist, Oil Sands for the same group;

Over the next eight years or so he kept moving up the company corporate ladder filling various positions: Business Manager and Controller, Foothills Gas Plants and Fields; Treasurer; Head of Corporate Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions

He has almost 20 years of experience in various Finance related roles in both the Private and Public sectors;

His education credentials include: MBA, Corporate Finance and Organizational Design and Change from University of Ottawa; Certified Management Accountant (CMA) – Alberta;

Volunteer activities include: Active World Vision – sponsor & volunteer; Humane Society volunteer.

C) Who Is He?

a) 18524 Chris Theal;

b) 20059 Jay Stark;

c) 17942 Tom Allan; or

d) 17962 Rob Dargewitcz

Read the rest of this entry »

Une délégation du CMR Saint-Jean à l’École militaire interarmes (ÉMIA) du Mali et à l’École nationale des officiers (ÉNO) du Bénin /

A delegation from RMC St-Jean visited the École militaire interarmes (EMIA), Mali and Ecole nationale des officiers (ENO), Benin

- an article du professeur Danic Parenteau 20657

Séjour au Mali : 30 janvier au 3 février 2012 / Stay in Mali: January 30 to February 3 2012

Le professeur Danic Parenteau 20657, accompagné des élèves officiers Jean-Nicolas Gibeault 26081 et Jean-Sébastien Otis 26099 et du lieutenant malien Cheick Bayala (en stage au CMR Saint-Jean), se sont rendus à l’École militaire interarmes (ÉMIA) située à Koulikoro au Mali du 30 janvier au 3 février. Lors de ce séjour, le professeur Parenteau 20657 a donné un cours de 12 heures sur le thème de l’éthique et de la profession d’officier aux élèves officiers de 2e année. Les élèves officiers Gibeault 26081 et Otis 26099 ont quant à eux intégré l’escadre des élèves officiers maliens et poursuivis les activités prévus au programme régulier durant cette semaine. Aussi, en ont-ils profités pour suivre l’entraînement physique et militaire avec leurs hôtes maliens.

Dr Danic Parenteau 20657 accompanied by Officer Cadets Jean-Nicolas Gibeault 26081 and Jean-Sébastien Otis 26099 and Lieutenant Cheick Bayala (from Mali, in training at RMC St-Jean) visited the École militaire interarmes (EMIA) located in Koulikoro, Mali, from January 30th to February 3rd. During this stay, Professor Parenteau 20657 gave a 12-hour course on the topic of ethics and the profession of officers to second year Officer Cadets. Officer Cadets Gibeault 26081 and Otis 26099 joined the other Malian Officer Cadets during their normal activities of the week. They thus add the chance to take part in physical and military training with their hosts.

 Tout le personnel de l’École militaire interarmes (ÉMIA) avec les membres de la délégation du CMR St-Jean

All the personal from the École militaire interarmes (EMIA) with the delegate team members from RMC St-Jean (30 janvier 2012)

Le professeur Danic Parenteau 20657 en classe à l’École militaire interarmes (ÉMIA)

Dr Danic Parenteau 20657 in class at the École militaire interarmes (EMIA) (30 janvier 2012)

Élève officiers Jean-Nicolas Gibeault 26081 et Jean-Sébastien Otis 26099 sur la Place d’arme de l’École militaire interarmes (ÉMIA) 

Officer Cadets Jean-Nicolas Gibeault 26081 and Jean-Sébastien Otis 26099 on the Parade square at the École militaire interarmes (EMIA) (2 février 2012)

Élèves officiers Jean-Nicolas Gibeault 26081 et Jean-Sébastien Otis 26099 au retour d’une marche forcée de nuit 

Officier Cadets Jean-Nicolas Gibeault 26081 and Jean-Sébastien Otis 26099 after their return from a forced march by night (30 janvier 2012)

Visite au Bénin : 6 au 8 février 2012 / Visit to Benin: February 6 to 8 2012

À la suite de ce séjour au Mali, le professeur Danic Parenteau 20657 s’est rendu au Bénin, accompagné du professeur Gawiyou Danialou, pour rencontrer la direction de l’École nationale des officiers (ÉNO) située à Toffo (75 km de la métropole Cotonou). Cette visite avait pour objectif d’établir un partenariat entre cette institution de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et le CMR Saint-Jean. Pour l’organisation de ces deux visites, le Bureau des relations externes du CMR Saint-Jean a reçu un soutien financier de la part de la Direction de l’instruction et de la coopération militaire canadien (DICM).

Following his stay in Mali, Dr Parenteau Danic 20657 went to Benin, accompanied by Dr Gawiyou Danialou, to meet the commandant of the École nationale d’officiers (ENO) located in Toffo (75 km from Cotonou). This visit aimed to establish a partnership between this West African institution and RMC St-Jean. For these two missions, the Office of External Relations of RMC St-Jean received financial support from the Canadian Directorate Training and Military Cooperation (DMTC).

Le colonel Gabriel Tamadaho, commandant de l’École nationale des officiers (ÉNO), avec le professeur Danic Parenteau 20657

Colonel Gabriel Tamadaho, commandant of the École nationale des officiers (ENO), with Dr Danic Parenteau 20657

Les professeurs Gawiyou Danialou et Danic Parenteau 20657 en compagnie du personnel cadre enseignant de l’École nationale des officiers (ÉNO) 

Dr Gawiyou Danialou and Dr Danic Parenteau 20657 with the training staff of the École nationale des officiers (ENO)

Une équipe de CMR Saint-Jean au Défi Pierre Boivin

Un article des Élève-officiers Switzer et Brière

Le 3 février dernier, s’est déroulé à Montréal, au Parc Maisonneuve, une épreuve sportive annuelle à but caritatif : le défi Pierre Boivin de l’Hôpital Sainte-Justine. Le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean (CMR Saint-Jean), appuyé par le Corporation du Fort Saint-Jean, a envoyé une équipe à ce « Triathlon d’Hiver ». Celle-ci était composée des Élèves-officiers McCall 26333, Brière 26471, Switzer 26412 et le capitaine de cette équipe était l’ Élève-officier Filiatrault-Veilleux 26166.

Grâce à la générosité de la Corporation du Fort Saint-Jean, l’équipe du CMR Saint-Jean a pu payer les frais d’inscription et a par la suite effectué une collecte de fonds, permettant d’effectuer un don de près de 3000 $ à la Fondation de l’Hôpital Sainte-Justine, qui vient en aide aux enfants malades. Chaque membre de l’équipe était responsable d’une discipline du triathlon. L’Élève-officier Switzer a ainsi patiné les 7 kilomètres de patin de la compétition, l’Élève-officier McCall a parcouru les 8.1 kilomètres du ski de fond et l’Élève-officier Brière a terminé le triathlon en courant 6 kilomètres. À la fin de la compétition, l’équipe du CMR Saint-Jean a égalé l’équipe de l’an passé au classement, terminant au 18ème rang sur un total de 79 équipes.

Ce triathlon a été une occasion unique pour démontrer la générosité des élève-officiers du CMR Saint-Jean et de démontrer leur bon niveau d’athlétisme. Souhaitons que l’an prochain, l’équipe améliorera son classement et ramassera encore plus d’argent pour la cause de l’Hôpital Sainte-Justine !

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Le CMR Saint-Jean au tournoi de ballon-balais de Sainte-Brigitte-d’Iberville

Un article de l’Élève-officier Pascale Brouillard

En cette belle fin de semaine du 11 et 12 février, un combat féroce a eu lieu lors du tournoi annuel de ballon-balais de Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville! Sur une patinoire extérieure, différentes équipes se sont affrontées afin de remporter les honneurs de la première place. Une dizaine d’équipes dans les catégories hommes et femmes y ont participé pour relever le défi, mais surtout pour le plaisir de se dépasser.

L’équipe des Remparts du Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean (CMR Saint-Jean) a pris la route tôt samedi matin avec la ferme intention de gagner. Le score final de la première partie que l’équipe a disputé a cependant été nul. La partie que l’équipe a disputée en après-midi a été tout aussi corsée, mais s’est malheureusement soldé par une défaite. L’équipe est rentrée au bercail la mine basse, mais quand même avec l’impression d’avoir tout donné pour tenter d’obtenir la victoire.

Le tournoi a tout de même été une vraie partie de plaisir, car l’ambiance était très conviviale et chaleureuse dans le petit chalet au bord de la patinoire. Les participants étaient généralement très sociables et bons joueurs. À la fin de chaque match, on échangeait des poignées de mains, on se félicitait ou on s’excusait d’une bousculade non volontaire. Malgré des résultats qui n’ont pas permis aux Remparts d’accéder aux demi-finales, l’humeur était à la fête et un souper d’équipe a été organisé après le tournoi. On y a reparlé des bons jeux de la journée en se disant que la victoire, ce sera pour la prochaine fois.

Le programme du CMR Saint-Jean repose sur quatre composantes : le bilinguisme, le sport, le leadership et les études. Ce tournoi s’inscrit dans le cadre du programme intensif de sport que les élèves-officiers suivent. La compétition permet de donner un but, une motivation à leur entraînement régulier. Elle leur permet en même temps de se dépasser, tout en ayant beaucoup de plaisir. De plus, participer à des compétitions et des tournois met la devise du Collège à l’œuvre: vérité, devoir et vaillance. Dans tout sport, il faut être vaillant pour gagner, il faut être vrai pour être bon joueur et avoir le sens du devoir pour soutenir ses coéquipiers dans l’adversité. Cette compétition, et les nombreuses autres auxquelles les élèves-officiers participent tout au long de l’année, contribuent donc à former les prochains leaders des Forces Canadiennes.

 ____________________ 

Le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean participe à « Winterman 2012 » à Ottawa

Un article de l’Élève-officier William Dumais

En cette belle soirée du 18 février dernier, soit quelques heures après la compétition « Blizzard Nordique 2012 », quelques élèves-officiers partirent vers Ottawa afin de représenter le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean (CMR Saint-Jean) lors de l’activité hivernale Winterman 2012 le 19 février.

En effet, tôt dans la matinée du 19 février, les Élèves-officiers Jean-Sébastien Otis, William Boily et William Dumais, accompagnés de leur photographe, l’Élève-officier Simon-Pierre Diamond, étaient déjà sur place à Ottawa afin de se familiariser avec les lieux et de se procurer leurs puces électroniques pour le demi marathon.

Plus tard, pendant que les coureurs s’échauffaient dans la ligne d’attente, un gros coup de canon d’artillerie se fit entendre à 8 h30 afin de lancer le début de la course. Toute la foule fit un cri de surprise et commença à courir. C’est sous la température de moins dix degrés Celsius qu’ont dû courir nos trois coureurs pour un total individuel de 21 km. La course n’était pas si facile : le trajet était constitué d’un tour de six kilomètres et de trois tours de cinq kilomètres où, sur le chemin du retour, ils devaient monter une côte. « Mes jambes ne l’oublieront jamais », d’expliquer l’Élève-officier William Boily.

Les trois élèves-officiers ont couru solidairement, afin de bien représenter le Collège, puis ils se sont séparés dans les derniers 2.5 km pour rencontrer leurs objectifs personnels. Malgré le froid qui n’était rien comparer à la douleur de leurs cuisses, les trois coureurs ont bien représenté le Collège en terminant leur course avec un bon temps, soit 1h42 pour l’élève-officier William Dumais, 1h44 pour l’élève-officier Jean-Sébastien Otis et 1h51 pour l’élève-officier William Boily. En somme, se fut une excellente journée : « J’ai adoré cette expérience, ce fut mon premier demi marathon et ce ne sera pas mon dernier », explique l’élève-officier Jean-Sébastien Otis.

Cette activité s’inscrit dans la composante du sport du CMR Saint-Jean. Le curriculum du Collège est fondé sur quatre composantes, soit les sports, les études, le bilinguisme et le leadership.

  ____________________ 

30 élèves-officers du CMR Saint-Jean participent à Rafale Blanche

Un article de l’Élève-officier Benjamin Harvey

Les 4 et 5 février derniers, 30 élèves-officiers du CMR Saint-Jean ont participés à l’exercice Rafale Blanche 2012 dans la région de la Beauce, Québec. Les élèves-officiers ont aussi eu la chance de rencontrer et de poser des questions aux différents officiers en poste au sein du bataillon. Ils ont pu observer le travail des officiers de plusieurs métiers de l’armée de terre: des officiers médicaux, d’infanterie, de logistique, de génie mécanique et des transmissions. Les élèves-officiers ont eu également la chance de faire un tour à bord d’un véhicule blindé léger (VBL-III) avec les soldats de la compagnie Bravo du 2ième Bataillon.

Les officiers des transmissions ont expliqué aux élèves-officiers quels sont les avancements technologiques dans le domaine de la communication au sein des Forces canadiennes. Les élève-officiers ont été introduits aux différents défis logistiques pour un exercice d’une telle envergure. Les officiers du génie mécanique pour leur part tenaient un point de maintenance pour tous les véhicules qui étaient utilisés durant l’exercice. Bref, la fin de semaine a été très enrichissante pour les élève-officiers qui ont participé à l’exercice, car ils ont pu entrevoir ce à quoi leur futur allait ressembler.

Not Everyone Went to Cuba…

Article and Photos by 25366 NCdt (IV) Mike Shewfelt

…some stayed on the peninsula to learn French. Thirty-four 4th Year officer cadets voluntarily gave up their week of vacation in an attempt to improve their bilingualism profile. Bilingualism is one of the four components of the RMC program and success in that pillar is a prerequisite for graduation. To that end, the cadets received five periods of French instruction per day in order to work on their reading, writing, and oral speaking skills. The short term goal of the week was the reading and writing tests done on Friday 24 Feb 12. As the French oral exam is done in conjunction with evaluators  in Ottawa, that testing will be held in late March and early April. Those cadets who were successful on Friday’s tests move one step closer to attaining the bilingualism profile necessary for graduation, while those who were not successful will have one last chance in April.

___________________________________

Photo By: John Sheahan

York volleyball player deemed ineligible – RMC Awarded Berth in Final 4

York University used an ineligible player in their quarter-final play-off RMC match held 18 Feb. York had won the match 3-0.

As a result, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) imposed a sanction of forfeiture by York, and RMC has been awarded a 3-0 win. The ruling means that RMC Paladins were able to compete in the OUA Final Four championship.

The Final Four Championship was held 25 / 26 Feb. RMC came up short in a 3-0 match loss to University of Ottawa; they also fell 3-0 to University of Toronto in the bronze medal game.  See results here.

OUA violation article.

OUA ANNOUNCES WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL MAJOR AWARD WINNERS AND ALL-STARS

Melissa McCoy is the lone RMC representative. Article

Fencing News…

The Christian Vidosa Trophy for Coach of the Year (2012) (Ontario University Athletics) went to A134 Patricia Howes of the Royal Military College of Canada.

OUA (M) Results…

OUA (W) Results…

2012 Sandhurst Team Well On Their Way

Article by 25720 OCdt (III) Cindy LaVine

After a grueling one week selection process that lasted from the 16th to the 22nd of January, the 2012 Sandhurst team was announced. The team then began an intense training routine. While the members’ physical limits were being pushed daily through an intensive physical regime, their military skills were also being moulded and perfected. In the last few weeks the team has worked tirelessly to master skills such as knots, tactical combat casualty care (TCCC), and rope bridges as well as weapons drills and marksmanship. These few skills are just the beginning of what is in store for the 2012 Sandhurst team. The upcoming few months of intensive training and skill acquisition will include the mastering of rappelling, navigation, grenades, foreign weapons, leadership, boat handling and many other important military skills that will be tested during the final competition.

On the 11th and 12th of February, the weekend before Spring Break, the Sandhurst team tackled the Petawawa ranges. The first day, the team undertook the traditional 600 m range during which they developed their marksmanship skills. Through expert coaching and mentoring by Capt Schamuhn, WO Desjardins, PO1 Poirier and skilled returning team members 25360 OCdt (III) Dominic Ragetli and 25727 OCdt (III) Brandon Philp, the team perfected their marksmanship, increasing their speed and accuracy to a considerable degree. The weekend culminated with a day at the pop-up Lockheed Martin target range. The team was faced with realistic combat scenarios, much like those that will be seen at the Sandhurst competition in April. The scenarios consisted of friendly and enemy target differentiation, judging target distances, and unknown target positioning. In this way, the team mastered section level tactics, quick and accurate reaction time and communication skills.

On Wednesday February 15th, the team competed in its first mini-Sandhurst competition. This is one of two such mini-competitions that will be completed before the actual competition at Westpoint. They are designed to challenge the team members on each of the military skills they have acquired. Moreover, they are also designed to replicate the stressful and exhausting conditions that the team will face during the Sandhurst competition in April. These mini-competitions therefore represent the culmination of a phase of training by testing the team members on the skills that they have mastered in the previous weeks.

The 2012 Sandhurst team has been training rigorously in the three weeks since the team was announced. Their determination and motivation have pushed them rapidly forward in their training, while their vigilance and dedication have lead them to the mastery of important military skills. The team’s combined focus along with their unparalleled support from the college will ensure their success at the competition this April. There is no doubt that the sword will return to its rightful resting place at RMC this year.

One shot!

Layout and editing by 25366 NCdt (IV) Mike Shewfelt

The following journal entries are apart of a series which will offer day-to-day accounts of the RMCC Expedition Club’s recent 2011/12 Kilimanjaro Expedition to East Africa. Click here to read the full expedition article.

Day Nine 08 January 2012

25752 OCdt (III) Christopher Lane

After two days of much-needed relaxation following the Expedition’s summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the group was excited for their next adventure as they ate their last breakfast in Tanzania.  With the crew’s gear packed, we hopped on our Marangu Hotel shuttle that took us on our last scenic trip of Tanzania on the way to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Upon arrival, the crew was forced to deal with an unforeseen complication in the flight arrangements to Kigali, but as had been the case for the entire trip, the issue was dealt with effectively.  An hour later, we were watching a series of fascinating dust tornadoes across the airport’s runway, just before boarding our RwandAir flight.

The flight first travelled east (the opposite direction from Kigali) for a connection in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania.  Unfortunately, we were unable to explore the port town on the shore of the Indian Ocean; one hour later we were back in the air flying west for Kigali.

On our final approach to Kigali International Airport, it was immediately evident that we were in for a week of spectacular scenery.  Looking out over the wing, all that could be seen for miles were rolling hills.  As we landed in Rwanda’s largest city and capital, it was hard not to think about the significance of where we were.  This was the very airport where former President Habyarimana’s plane had been shot down on approach in April 1994, sparking one of the most horrific atrocities of our time.

And yet, as we met our hosts from the Kwetu Film Institute outside the airport, these horrific images seemed to fade away.  Driving away from the airport, we were all taken aback to see how developed a city Kigali actually was.  With a surprisingly Canadian feel about the city, and the welcoming smiles that met us almost everywhere we went that night, it became increasingly difficult to imagine how a country torn apart by genocide could rise from the ashes to be such a genuinely pleasant and seemingly peaceful place.

Upon arriving at Kwetu Residence, our home for the next week, we unpacked our gear and marvelled at the unique architecture of this brand new hotel.  The Kwetu Film Institute, founded by popular film producer Eric Kabera, is the first of its kind in East Africa.  The two key overarching goals of KFI are firstly to focus on developing the media literacy skills of individual participants, and secondly to contribute to the cultural and economic cohesiveness of the East African Community (Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda).  Eric and the rest of the staff at Kwetu were very gracious hosts to us for our week in Rwandan; our stay in the Land of a Thousand Hills would not have been nearly as memorable without their generosity.

After dinner in town with Oscar, a young student working at the Institute, the Expedition Group headed to bed, excited for what would turn out to be one of the most memorable weeks of our lives.

Day Ten 09 January 2012

25194 OCdt (IV) Alexander Kisielius

I wake up at 0700 in The Kwetu Film institute. I look out the hotel window and gaze upon the beautiful panoramic of Rwanda’s capital city; Kigali. Rwanda is a country of rolling hills, mountains and grassy lowlands. In French, it has been named ‘Pays des Mille Collines’ meaning ‘Country of a Thousand Hills’, and this morning, I can see why.

Taylor and I gather our necessities for the day and head downstairs for a light breakfast. Today the expedition group is traveling to The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre; the largest permanent exhibition of the Genocide in 1994. The Kigali Memorial Centre was inaugurated on April 2004, on the 10th Anniversary of The Genocide. The Centre provides the Rwandans a place in which they can bury their families and friends. Over 250,000 victims of the genocide are now buried at the site.

The group knew what we were planning on doing that day but I don’t think any of us were ready for the experience we were about to have. We arrived at the centre and were greeted by local guides. They instructed us about the centre, and we started our tour. We began by laying roses on the mass gravesites and then we toured the memorial gardens. The next ten minutes were probably the hardest for me. We were ushered by the remembrance wall and saw all the names of victims written on plaques. They explained how entire families were slaughtered during the genocide, and consequently, only a fraction of the victims could be identified. It was horrifying for me to believe that 18 years after the genocide, only one tenth of this memorial wall was covered. They don’t even know who died.

After the outdoor tour, we were shown into the building where we read about the events leading up to the genocide and then heard testaments from survivors. I have done a lot of research on the Genocide and this consolidation was very important for me. I was able to grasp a thorough understanding of the horrific events in a way that I couldn’t from any multimedia sources available in Canada.

The visit to the memorial definitely set the tone for the rest of the groups’ time in Rwanda. It was hard to explore the city with no emotion knowing what happened in 1994. Our host in Rwanda, Eric Kabera, instructed us that when we returned to the film institute that night, he would show us films that he has produced about the Genocide. He has dedicated his life to raise the awareness of the 1994 genocide through producing films and I recommend anyone who reads this to watch his movies. My return to Canada has been hard with the experiences I have had during the expedition. If I have learned one thing from the disturbing memorials in Rwanda, it is the statement of ‘Never again’.

Day Eleven 10 January 2012

26268 OCdt (I) Stéphanie Paquette

Nous avons commencé la journée, pas la visite d’un marché d’artisans rwandais. Les membres du groupe en ont profité pour acheter des souvenirs et des créations locales pour les êtres chers à qui ils pensent durant ce voyage. Une multitude d’objets se retrouvent dans les différents kiosques dont les vendeurs vous accueil avec « Bienvenu! Welcome! » On peut y trouver des sacs à mains, des robes d’été, des chandails, des peluches ou encore des centre de table, tous dans une variété de couleur qui attire l’œil sans aucun doute. Des produits en bois ou en pierre tels que des échiquiers, des ouvre-bouteilles, des bibelots, des statues et des masques africains.

 Alors que nous étions au marché, des Rwandais jouaient à un jeu appelé Mweso. Il s’agit d’un jeu qui se joue à deux personnes avec 64 graines qui se déplacent d’une des 32 cases à l’autre. L’objectif est d’obtenir toutes les graines de son côté en les volant au joueur opposé. Nous avons donc appris comment jouer à ce jeu. Certains ont eu la chance de jouer contre ces Rwandais qui nous ont enseigné comment jouer. Il faut dire qu’ils étaient très expérimentés, bien qu’à une reprise l’Élof Lane réussit à l’emporter en une joute très serré. Quelques personnes se sont ensuite procuré le jeu, afin de ramener une parcelle de cette tradition africaine au Canada et la partager avec leurs camarades.

Durant l’après-midi, nous sommes allés jouer une partie de soccer amicale contre des Rwandais qui habitent dans le quartier résidentiel où se trouve notre hôtel. Nous n’avons marché que deux coins de rue pour se retrouver devant ce terrain de soccer rustique : du gazon parsemé de roches et des sacs à dos et des arbres comme filet. Rien de plus simple. L’équipe contre qui nous avons joué était nettement plus agile que la notre, bien que nous n’avons pas accordé de buts faciles. Il faut dire que nos pieds ne sont définitivement pas habitués à jouer au soccer sans chaussure sur un terrain où les roches sont en général assez pointues… Nous nous sommes bien amusés, et nous avons déjà planifié une autre partie de soccer ce vendredi.

Nous avons terminé la soirée avec un souper à l’Hôtel Mille Collines. Il y avait de la musique live et l’ambiance était chaleureuse. Cet hôtel est spécial, car il a été utilisé comme lieu de refuge pour près de mille personnes durant le génocide de 1994. L’histoire de cet hôtel est racontée dans le film Hotel Rwanda où on peut voir l’hôtel lui-même où nous avons passé la soirée.

E3161 Victoria Edwards (RMC 2003) interviewed MWO Chis Embree, RMC band officer, who replaced MWO Martin Huppé on October 23rd, 2011.

e-veritas: What instruments do you play?

MWO Chris Embree: Like MWO Martin Huppé, my primary instrument is the saxophone. I also play clarinet and flute. I also consider myself a closet percussionist. As a military musician at RMC, it is best to be versatile.

e-veritas: Outline the governance of the RMC bands.

MWO Chris Embree: As the RMC band officer, I work closely with WO Eugene Heather, who is the RMC pipe and drum major. We see our roles as coach and mentor. The RMC bands are cadet managed. As the future officership of the Canadian Forces, it is important for them to take on the leadership roles in the band. On Mondays, I meet with the Officer Cadets who are in charge of each group: Cadet Wing Band Officer 25061 OCdt (IV) David Blain; Deputy Cadet Wing Band Officer 25845 OCdt Kris (III) Kelusky; Cadet Wing Band Service and Support Officer 25621 OCdt (II) Stephanie Clark; Cadet Wing Drum Major 25856 OCdt (III) Cody Hansen; Cadet Wing Pipe Major 25767 OCdt (IV) Cassandra Harpe; Cadet Wing Choir Master 25892 OCdt (III) Meghan Thompson; Cadet Wing Highland Dance Leader 25288 OCdt (IV) Katie Bruce; Cadet Wing Brass and Reed Major 25591 NCdt (III) Britany Bourgeois. There is also the RMC Stage Band Club which is a band made up of cadets, officers and staff at the Royal Military College of Canada. The band is comprised of saxophones, trombones, trumpets, guitar, rhythm and bass. Their goal is to give musicians attending RMC a chance to improve their musical skills, as well as entertain the public.

e-veritas: How does the RMC Club help the RMC bands?

MWO Chris Embree: The support of the RMC Club allows the Stage Band to continue to provide entertainment for RMC functions, helps the band better represent the college and helps with the purchase of more difficult pieces of music. The funding is used for a variety of areas such as instrument repair, to purchase reeds/valve oil/cork grease; improved equipment; opportunities to go see other stage bands and new sheet music.

e-veritas: Outline your career path leading to serving as band officer at RMC?

MWO Chis Embree: My father served as a musician in the Canadian Forces. I started my musical career as an Air Cadet in Fredericton, New Brunswick. After moving to Calgary, Alberta I then joined the Kings Own Calgary Regiment Band (1988-90). I auditioned and was selected to join the Regular Forces as a musician out of high school. Upon completion of basic training in Cornwallis (1991), I attended the Canadian Forces School of Music in Borden (1991-92). I was posted as a musician with the Air Command Band in 17 Wing Winnipeg (1992-94). After the Forces Reduction Program cut the band branch, I became a reservist musician in Calgary with the Tecumseh Naval Reserve Band (1994-98). I then rejoined the Regular Force, performing, arranging concert band music and writing scores for ensembles with the Royal Canadian Artillery Band in Edmonton (1998-2008). I was promoted to the rank of PO1 and subsequently posted to The Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific in Victoria (2008-2010). Finally, I served as the Bandmaster in 14 Wing Greenwood (2010-11) after completing an intense 4 month university level Canadian Forces QL7 advanced training course: conducting, harmony, music history and aural training. My wife Jane and our son Hayden are still living in Greenwood. I am looking forward to them joining me here in Kingston this summer.

e-veritas: E-veritas is currently publishing excerpts of 3069 W.A. McColl’s diary. He learned to play “When RMC Goes Down the Field” at RMC in January 1950. Do you know the piece?

MWO Chris Embree: No, I don’t know the piece. However, there are a number of albums and CDs of recordings of RMC bands in the band office in Yeo Hall. RMC`s rich musical history is interesting to me. As a musician, it can be rewarding to research, learn and possibly bring back pieces. As band officers, pipe and drum majors and band members come and go there is a risk of loss of band memory. If e-veritas readers remember the tune, please advise. [Jack Kopstein, who served as musical director of the RMC band from 1988-1990, suggests that RMC may have adapted `Down the Field` (march two step) which was published in 1905 by the Chas H. Loomis Company (New Haven, CT) and arranged by G.L. Atwater, Jr. The original `Goes Down the Field` was for Yale University and the trio is in a song style. This march is Public Domain, including score and parts. http://www.bandmusicpdf.org/media/bmpdffiles/DownField.pdf Jack has constructed a new and exciting site which is An every persons` guide to military music. www.worldbookofmilitarymusic.com.]

e-veritas: What are your plans for the RMC band?

MWO Chris Embree: I am looking forward to being a part of RMC`s heritage of musical tradition. I am interested in learning and celebrating the customs and traditions of the RMC band. I don’t intend to make any harsh or rash changes to how the RMC bands function. As I mentioned, my intention is for the cadets to manage the bands. The cadet musicians will play their music at Community Showcase Concerts such as the Christmas Concert & Concert in Scarlets. What better way is there for RMC to give back to the community than through annual musical fundraisers for the United Way? RCNC280 Mr Don Currie (RRMC RMC 1946) still practices with the RMC band at 6:30 in a.m. in the basement of Yeo Hall. Since the basement gets warm in the spring and summer, I look forward to going outside more as we lead up to the Sunset Ceremony and the Graduation Parade. The Highland Dance troupe practices in the new gym. Although there haven’t been any practical jokes played on me yet, I can take a joke.

e-veritas: What do you consider when arranging the program for a Community showcase?

MWO Chris Embree: The musical program will change depending on the event. Some of the key events are the Concert in Scarlets, Christmas Concert, Remembrance Day Parade at the Memorial Arch, and Graduation. I consider what music is in the library already, since I need time to order new music. I keep the program audience in perspective since the public prefers music that they recognize and can relate to emotionally. The degree of musical difficulty is important since it has to be challenging enough to be worthwhile to the musician to rehearse at 6:30 in the morning. Although I prefer music that broadens the musician’s scope, it is imperative that the band is capable of playing the piece. I like to include a little bit of everything: “O Canada” (introduction); Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” (traditional orchestral piece); “Lord of the Rings” (movie score); “Gabriel’s Oboe” (flute solo); Drum salute (with black lights); Pipes & Drums & Highland Dancers (standard repertoire); “Highland Cathedral” (joint piece), “Rose of Calvin Grove” (joint piece); and “Precision” (RMC march) to end the concert.

Director – Facilities Management Services / Directeur – Services de gestion des installations

Niagara College, Welland / Niagara-on-the-Lake

Programmer / Developer (CAD/CAM) / Programmeur / Développeur (CAO/FAO)

Ingenia Technologies Inc. Mirabel

Site Manager / Gestionnaire de site

Systèmes REpower Inc., Beauce and Gaspésie

Electrical System Advisor / Conseiller – systèmes électriques

Cirque du Soleil, Montreal

Superintendent of Central Services / Surintendant(e) – Services centraux

Rio Tinto, Montreal

Data Center – Mechanical Engineer / Ingénieur mécanique – Centre d’opérations de données

Tata communications, Montreal

A tip of the hat to the following members who just recently updated their Club membership status: Chapeau aux membres suivants qui ont tout récemment mis à jour leur adhésion au Club:

5482 James Furlong; 3744 Allan R Dormer; 20722 David M Christie; 5389 James AF Johnstone; 6364 Michael Braham; 16156 Glenn E Walters Life membership; 12342 John A Stewart; 7593 Frank King; 6535 Graham F Quiller Life membership; 3625 Arthur C Wade; 6137 Wyn Van der Schee; 10725 Bruce Morrison; 9548 Remi Landry; 5192 Brian S MacDonald; 8237 Pierre Brassard; 3821 Ronald J Muir; 4859 Kenny K Murata .

4869 BILLINGS, Colonel Robert Stanley (Ret’d) 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s)

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of 4869 Robert Stanley Billings on February 24, 2012. After a long and happy life, his big heart gave out, used up by all the living, giving and loving he did during his 75 years. He is survived by Sheila, his beloved wife and best friend. They celebrated 50 wonderful years together this past summer. His children, Barry (Kate), Alison (Jefferson Gilbert) and Michael (Julie Mulholland) will remember their dad for his love, support and guidance. He was “Pop” to Wyatt and Jasper Gilbert, Thea and Madeline Billings and Ben Billings. Bob will be dearly missed by his sister Ellen Ryan, his brothers George (Linda) and Roland (Susan) and their families. He is predeceased by his parents Harry and Edna Billings (Kingston). We won’t soon forget – he shared his own signature sense of humour and great zest for life with all who knew him.

Bob had a distinguished 33 year career in the Canadian Armed Forces, Armoured Corp., underlined by loyalty, friendship and concern for his soldiers and their families. The Colonel served proudly in three regiments – Lord Strathcona’s Horse, Royal Canadian Dragoons and the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s). He ended his career as Commandant, Land Forces Staff College at Fort Frontenac, Kingston. The same place where his father joined the army and went off to war in 1939.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 28 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at Robert J. Reid & Sons, “The Chapel on the Corner”, 309 Johnson Street (at Barrie Street), Kingston. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 11 am at Edith Rankin Memorial United Church, 4080 Bath Road, Kingston, Ontario. Cremation to follow. Internment will take place at a later date. In memory of Bob, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Soldier On Fund.

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3157 Robert Claude Orme, Lt.Cdr. (Ret’d) With great regret we announce Bob’s passing at his home in Bath, UK, with his loving wife, Ann, and children Richard, Steve, Mike and Dara at his side. Bob left us peacefully on January 3rd 2012 after stubbornly fighting cancer long enough to visit his family in Canada in October and to reach his 80th birthday on December 31st. His brothers Ted and Peter and his sister Pam remember lovingly his years growing up in Weyburn, Sask. and Victoria, B.C. In the 1950′s Bob attended Royal Roads in Victoria and Greenwich Naval College in England as a student of Naval Architecture and qualified as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Canadian Navy. While he was at Greenwich he courted and married Ann. They both returned to Canada and Bob worked in Halifax and Ottawa as a Naval Constructor until he went back to the UK some ten or more years and four children later on a three year stint as an exchange officer working at the Ministry of Defense in Bath. He then retired from the Canadian Navy and began his second career as a Constructor in the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors until he finally retired as a Chief Constructor in 1992. Although he pursued two demanding jobs in his long career, Bob remained essentially a family man, and throughout his life, a true gentleman. He had great professional integrity but was always generous, kind and forgiving to lesser mortals who lacked his ability. We shall carry with us the sound of his bubbling laughter for the rest of our lives.