On 01 July one of our alumni, Captain Christopher Roy, RMC Class of 2018, now Aide de Camp to our Governor General was in St. John’s, Newfoundland, for the entombment of the Unknown. Dr. Coombs, of the RMC (Kingston) History Department, had the opportunity to catch up with Captain Roy at the formal dinner held the night before the ceremony. This annual dinner remembers the battle of Beaumont Hamel 01 July 1916, the first day of the months long Somme campaign. The Newfoundland Regiment lost more than 80 percent of the soldiers who advanced that day were either killed or wounded. In one morning, during a 30 minute period, the regiment suffered approximately 700 casualties, including more than 300 dead. Captain Roy attended the Mottershead Battlefield Tour 2018 in France and Belgium and told Dr. Coombs that he was able to better understand the significance of both Beaumont Hamel and the entombment because he had been at Beaumont Hamel and seen the battlefield, as well as been able to form an interpretation on the sad events that happened there – all thanks to the Mottershead Battlefield Tour, which due to the generosity of Ian and Rosemary Mottershead and the efforts of the RMC Alumni Association will continue for current and future students.
Le 1er juillet, l’un de nos anciens, le capitaine Christopher Roy, diplômé du CMR (Kingston) en 2018, maintenant aide de camp de notre gouverneur général, était à St. John’s, Terre-Neuve, pour la mise au tombeau de l’Inconnu. M. Coombs, du département d’histoire du CMR (Kingston), a eu l’occasion de s’entretenir avec le capitaine Roy lors du dîner officiel qui a eu lieu la veille de la cérémonie. Ce dîner annuel commémore la bataille de Beaumont Hamel du 1er juillet 1916, le premier jour de la campagne de la Somme qui a duré plusieurs mois. Le Newfoundland Regiment a perdu plus de 80 % des soldats qui ont avancé ce jour-là, tués ou blessés. En une matinée, pendant une période de 30 minutes, le régiment a subi environ 700 pertes, dont plus de 300 morts. Le capitaine Roy a participé à la visite des champs de bataille Mottershead 2018 en France et en Belgique et a dit au Dr Coombs qu’il était en mesure de mieux comprendre l’importance de Beaumont Hamel et de la mise au tombeau parce qu’il avait été à Beaumont Hamel et vu le champ de bataille, et qu’il avait pu se faire une idée des tristes événements qui s’y sont déroulés – tout cela grâce à la visite des champs de bataille Mottershead, qui, grâce à la générosité de Ian et Rosemary Mottershead et aux efforts de l’Association des anciens élèves du CMR, se poursuit pour les étudiants d’aujourd’hui et de demain.
Women’s CISM Soccer Announces Team Managers for 2024 Women’s Soccer Team
Originally from Greenwood, NS, Major Kim O’Rourke enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2008 attending the Royal Military College (RMC) of Canada where she completed a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Upon graduating in 2012, she has served in multiple roles as a Personnel Selection Officer (PSO) and obtained a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology in 2019. Most recently she was the Command PSO for the Canadian Special Operations Command (CANSOFCOM) and has since moved into research for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Command in Ottawa, ON. She’s been happily living in the National Capital Region since 2019 with her two sons and partner.
Maj Kim O’Rourke has been an avid athlete since her youth, competing in a variety of sports, but primarily high-level hockey. When RMC did not have a women’s hockey, she tried out for the Varsity Soccer team and the rest is history. She competed in five Ontario University Athletics seasons with RMC (2008-12; 2015), 10 CAF Regional Championships, nine CAF National Championships, and was in Senior Women’ soccer programs at every posting. Most notably she was a player with the Kingston Clippers semi-pro team in 2016. Her participation as a CISM athlete spanned over five championships (Germany 2012, France 2016, USA 2018 & 2022, Netherlands 2023) and concluded with a match win against Belgium as one of the team captains. Read more here
Captain Madeline Mills joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2011 from Petawawa, ON. She attended the Royal Military College of Canada (RMCC) under the Reserve Entry Training Plan from 2011 – 2015 where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a major in Chemistry and minor in Life Sciences. Upon graduating, she secured Cl B employment with 450 THS as an Air Logistics Finance Officer and deployed on OP Impact ROTO 3. In March of 2023, Capt Mills decided to make the jump to the Regular Force where she is currently employed with CANSOFCOM.
Capt Madeline Mills has played sports her entire life, mostly participating and competing at the high school level for Volleyball, Cross Country, Track and Field and of course, Soccer. She began playing soccer at the age of 4 in Edmonton, AB. Upon her father’s posting to London, Ontario she continued to play with the local soccer club and at the age of 11 decided to try out for the competitive team where she successfully played until the age of 14. At which point, it was time to move again, but this time to Petawawa. Due to the lack of competitive soccer in the region, she focused on playing with the high school team where in her final year they finished 3rd at the Eastern Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association Championships. From there, she was recruited to attend RMCC and played with the Varsity Women’s Team for three years before taking a step back to focus on studies. Read more here.
Originally from Victoria, BC, Capt Kelly Burton joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2010. She attended the Royal Military College (RMC) of Canada from 2010 to 2014, earning a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a Major in Chemistry and a Minor in Life Sciences. After graduating in 2014, she was stationed at CFB Trenton, where she held various positions within the 8 Mission Support Squadron (8MSS), Real Property Operations (RP Ops), and 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD). Recently, she served as the Individual Training Standards Officer (ITSO) for 1 CAD Det Trenton at the Air Force Expeditionary Readiness Standards and Evaluation Team (AFERSET) and has since transitioned to J4 Contracts for Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC). Capt Kelly Burton currently resides in Arnprior, ON with her spouse and two children.
Capt Kelly Burton has been passionate about athletics from a young age, competing in softball, field hockey, rugby, and soccer. She began playing soccer at the age of 7 in Victoria, BC, joining multiple clubs and a travel team by age 12. While attending Reynolds Secondary School, she participated in the Centre for Soccer Excellence program. She played for Women’s Premier and Division 1 teams before joining the RMC Women’s Varsity Team (2010-2014).
After graduation, Capt Kelly Burton continued her soccer career at CFB Trenton, playing for the Trenton Women’s Team, where she eventually became manager and captain (2015-2023). She also managed and assisted in coaching the Men’s team. She has competed in six CAF Regional Championships and six CAF National Championships. She joined the CISM program in 2016, attending training camps in Victoria, BC (2016) and London, England (2017). Although she stepped back from the program in 2018 to start her family, she remains eager to contribute administratively to further its progress. Read more here.
Congratulations to Capt(Ret’d) David Howes on attending the 2024 Paris Olympics as Executive Director for the Fencing Canada!
Captain (ret’d) David Howes served as an ACSO and TDO for 22 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He has been working with and supporting the CAF CISM Fencing program since 2009, and been the Assistant Coach with RMC Fencing, since 2003.Governor General’s Foot Guard Welcomes New Honorary Colonel and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel
The Governor General’s Foot Guard (GGFG) ushered in a new honorary colonel this spring, saying farewell to an honorary colonel who served in the prestigious role for the last decade.
After serving for 46 years in the Canadian Army, ten years of which were in the role of honorary colonel of the GGFG, nationally renowned businessman Bryan Brulotte retired from the Canadian Army.
“One of my earliest childhood memories, is the summer of 1968. At the age of four, held aloft on my late father’s shoulders, I was mesmerized by the precision and majesty of our Regiment conducting the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill. At that moment, 56 years ago, I knew I wanted to be a Guardsman,” stated Brulotte during his farewell speech at the Change of Appointment Ceremony for the Governor General’s Foot Guard in April.
Honorary Colonel Omar Abouzaher and Honorary LCol Fran Chilton-Mackay will now take up the mantle.
Born into a military family, it was only natural for Brulotte to follow in his family’s footsteps and join the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). After graduating from the College Militaire Royale de Saint-Jean in 1987, Brulotte served as an infantry platoon commander and was deployed to West Germany.
“At that time, Canada had a deployed brigade with battle positions straddling the Iron Curtain. I can distinctly recall a euphoric moment of hope, me standing at the Brandenburg Gate, hammering at the concrete of the Berlin Wall on November 10th, 1989,” recalled Brulotte.
Over the years, Brulotte has served in the Royal Canadian Hussars and the Royal 22e Regiment.
In 1993, Brulotte resigned from his commission with the Regular Force and switched to the Reserve Force. Since then, he’s stepped into the private sector to build his company, MaxSys, a nationally renowned company with more than $100 million in annual sales.
After a brief stint as a captain with the GGFG, he retired from the Primary Reserve and has since served as the regiment’s Honorary Colonel.
“Rest assured that for me, this is not a goodbye. It is but an au-revoir. There are still many things left to do for our Regiment, our Armed Forces, and our Country,” noted the honorary colonel.
On April 23, friends and family of Dr. Brulotte gathered at Cartier Drill Hall to say farewell to the honorary colonel and his 10 years of service.
Many of those gathered for the ceremony were Brulotte’s lifelong friends, including comrades he had known since he began his military journey as a cadet in 1978.
“Here present is an assembly of great Canadians, and I am truly gratified by your presence, your example, and your friendship,” noted Brulotte.
A great deal of Brulotte’s farewell speech was spent glorifying the regiment and the vital work it does.
“The Foot Guards battle tested Regimental system is indispensable. Its’ lineage, badges, battle history, music, social customs, conventions, expectations, training regimes and attire, is designed to purpose. It has served us exceedingly well for over 150 years in the defence of Canada and Western Civilization.”
About the GGFG
Formed on June 7, 1872, the GGFG is a senior reserve infantry regiment based in Ottawa. The regiment is a primary reserve infantry unit.
However, it is capable of conducting domestic and international operations. Notably, the unit has been involved in disaster relief at home, such as the 1998 Ice Storm and the COVID-19 pandemic. International operations that the regiment has participated in have sent troops to Afghanistan, Sudan, and Ukraine, amongst others.
The GGFG is also known to many Canadians for its role as the Ceremonial Guard at Parliament Hill.
Calling the GGFG the “Canadian Dream,” Brulotte commented on the important role the regiment plays within the Canadian Army and Canadian society at large:
“The military ethos that Foot Guards embrace is as vital as the air we breathe. Timeless truths, such as Grit, Fitness, Discipline, Uniformity, Service, Sacrifice, Merit, Excellence, and Mission Primacy, are a way of life. They are the coin of the realm and will be our keys to success in a lethal fight.
“Since 1872, for every generation of Foot Guards, it has started with a similar call to serve. For Guardsmen, discovering the purpose and belonging earned with the title. In our arduous infantry training, learning to dig deep through adversity, together.”
New Honorary Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel
Addressing the GGFG at the Change of Appointment ceremony, Abouzaher, the new honorary colonel, introduced himself to the regiment.
“I got acquainted with the regiment through the 150th campaign as the guards were supporting the establishment of Veteran’s House Canada, a home for homeless veterans in Ottawa. HCol Bryan Brulotte, MGen (ret’d) Mike Ward and BGen(ret’d) Mark Mathieson were key in introducing me to the GGFG community,” said Abouzaher.
Abourzaher also hails from a military family. Born in Lebanon, he studied in Lebanon and France before immigrating to Canada.
“I am very happy with my recently appointed honorary colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Guards Regiment in January 2024. I look forward to adding value to the regimental family and the serving members during my colonelcy. Up the Guards,” noted Abourzaher.
The ceremony also marked retired General Mark Matheson’s transition from Honorary LCol. to Fran Chilton-Mackay.
LCol. (ret’d) Fran Chilton-Mackay retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2021. She retired as the first female Director of Music of the Regimental Band of the Governor General’s Foot Guards.
Justina Yu who was named athlete of the year at the Taekwondo Ontario Master Gala
Major-General (retired) Derek Basinger Joins CFN Consultants!
The Partners of CFN Consultants are pleased to announce that Major-General (retired) Derek Basinger, OMM, CD, is joining CFN Consultants following a distinguished 37-year career as an engineer and operational leader in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), capped off by over a decade of experience at the senior governance levels of National Defence Headquarters, culminating in his appointment as the Chief of Staff for ADM Material.
Derek is looking forward to helping bridge the gap between defence industry capacity and CAF requirements in his role with CFN Consultants.
New Employment Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Defence Team Champions Announced
New Employment Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEDI) Defence Team Champions were recently announced by the Chief of the Defence (CDS) and the Deputy Minister (DM).
“EEDI Defence Team Champions are executive level public servants or flag/general officers appointed for their willingness to contribute meaningfully to achieving the strategic and operational objectives of the program,” stated CANFORGEN 066/24 announcing the new appointments.
Appointments
This year, a few military champions have changed on the EEDI Defence Team Champions. The new appointments are as follows:
- Persons with disabilities: VAdm. Bob Auchterlonie, Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC), and Giby Armstrong (ADM(RS)).
- 2SLGBTQI(Plus): BGen. James Hawthorne J5D NORAD/USNORTHCOM HQ and Lara Rookie (DG EPR).
The following people returned for another term as an EEDI Defence Team Champion:
- Women: LGen. Lise Bourgon, Acting Canadian Military Personnel Command, and Sophie Martel (ADM(IM))
- Indigenous Peoples: LGen. Jocelyn Paul Former Commander of Canadian Army and Rob Chambers (ADM(IE)).
- Visible minorities: Cmdr. Jacques Olivier, Director of General Professional Conduct and Development (DGPCD), and Natasha Kim (Associate DM).
- Official Languages: MGen. Simon Bernard, Chief of Staff CJOC, and Genevieve Binet (ADM(PA)).
EEDI Defence Team Champions’ Focus
According to the CANFORGEN, EEDI Defence Team Champions are responsible for working both within the CAF and DND to work on policies and programs of EEDI.
“They are driven by a vision and are energized to motivate others to contribute to positive outcomes in the areas of EEDI,” noted CANFORGEN.
However, the CDS and Deputy Minister of DND both stressed the aim of EEDI should be carried out by all leaders and managers from across the Defence Team.
“As the Defence Team continues to evolve the culture of equity, diversity and inclusion across the organization. Both the CAF and DND will be strengthened as a national institution and be more representative of the country that the defence team members honourable serve,” added the CANFORGEN.
Questions about the CAF Employment Equity Program can be directed at AT: (PLUS)NDHQ DI OTTAWA(AT)CPCC DI(AT)OTTAWA-HULL [+NDHQ DI OTTAWA@CPCC DI@Ottawa-Hull].
Questions about the DND Employment Equity Program should be directed to AT: (PLUS PLUS)DIVERSITY-DIVERSITE(AT)ADM(HR-CIV) DDWB(AT)OTTAWA-HULL [++Diversity-diversite@ADM(HR-Civ) DDWB@Ottawa-Hull].
Intelligence and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (GP) Unit Command Appointments Announced
Command appointments for the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command (CFINTCOM) and the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Group Command (VCDS GP) were recently announced.
LGen Frances Allen, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS), and MGen Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, announced the appointments in two separate CANFORGENS.
Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Group Command
“Congratulations to all of you,” said LGen. Allen, in a heartfelt message conveyed in CANFORGEN 026/24.
The unit command appointments for VCDS GP for active posting season (APS) 2024 are as follows:
- LCol. J. Kuehnle is appointed Commanding Officer TSS for CFSG (O-G)
- LCol. S. Arsenault is appointed Commanding Officer of OUTCAN Coord
- LCol. R.J. Thebault is appointed Commanding Officer of CDLS (W)
- LCol. L.L.F. Harvey is appointed Commanding Officer of RCSU (E)
- LCol. R.R. MacDonald is appointed Commanding Officer of CF MP GP HQ
- LCol. S.M.M. Chateauneuf is appointed Commanding Officer of Casteau South West/D
Canadian Forces Intelligence Command
MGen. Wright announced the command appointments for CFINTCOM at the beginning of the year in CANFORGEN 004/24.
“The Commander Canadian Forces Intelligence Command (CFINTCOM) is pleased to announce the following unit commanding officer appointments for APS 2024,” stated the CANFORGEN.
The CFINTCOM appointments are as follows:
- LCol F.P. Chouinard, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre (CFJIC)
- LCol T.J. Kelley, Commanding Officer, Mapping And Charting Establishment (MCE)
- Maj C.A. Hincke (on promotion to LCol), Director, Joint Targeting Intelligence Centre (JTIC)
- Maj K.J. Gehlert, Commandant, Canadian Forces School Of Meteorology (CFS MET).
CANFORGEN 004/24 closed, “MGen Wright sends his congratulations.”