The Trailblazer Podcast celebrates the accomplishments and milestones of notable alumni of Canada’s Military Colleges and provides a platform for them to share their stories and contribute to building future leaders for Canada and the world.
We sat down in mid-June with Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) Alain Parent to discuss his journey from cadet to VCDS and beyond, a career that took him to the heart of North America’s aerospace defence—and to the front lines of military operations and mentorship alike.
Early in the interview, Parent jokes that he graduated last in academics and first in “days of punishment” at CMR, but the real story is one of transformation. “If my early disciplinary record had followed me through my career,” he says candidly, “I might never have graduated, let alone reached general officer rank.” Instead, the military college system gave him room to fail, be accountable, and course-correct—setting the stage for a leadership journey that would span nearly four decades.
As Deputy Commander of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command (CEFCOM), Parent oversaw missions in some of the world’s most dangerous theatres. His reflections are sobering. “Afghanistan was a very difficult mission. But once Canada commits, we go all in,” he says. From standing up a Chinook helicopter air wing in just 10 months, to flying combat operations in zero illumination, the Canadian personnel I worked with demonstrated both agility and resolve. “Our soldiers were extraordinary—dedicated, motivated. Many made the ultimate sacrifice. I have so much respect for all who served there.”
Even small deployments, he notes, can have an outsized impact. “Sending five or six well-trained Canadians into a mission had a force-multiplier effect. Other nations noticed. That’s the power of Canadian leadership.”
Perhaps no experience shaped Parent more than his time at NORAD, where he would eventually serve as Deputy Commander. “NORAD is the only truly binational command in the world. We share not just information, but actual command and control,” he explains. His dream was to see NORAD evolve into a broader North American Defence Command covering air, land, sea, space, and cyber. “I always introduced myself by saying, ‘Hi, I’m Alain, and I’m binational,’” he laughs. “Because I really believed in that integration.”
His deep investment in the Canada–U.S. defence relationship makes recent political rhetoric all the harder to hear. “I felt a personal sense of betrayal,” he admits. “But the mission continues. NORAD operates regardless of the political noise. Canadians and Americans are on watch together.”
Parent’s lasting influence may be most deeply felt in the lives of those he mentored. “At every stage of my career, I had mentors who saw something in me, even when I didn’t,” he says. “So, I made a point of mentoring others—captains, majors—many of whom are now leading the RCAF and CAF institutions today.” He speaks with pride about watching former protégés rise to command roles at RMC, NATO, and the Defence Academy. “Mentorship isn’t about being quoted. It’s about giving. When they succeed, that’s the reward.”
One classroom at 403 Squadron now bears his name. Built and modernized by the instructors themselves, they surprised him with the dedication. “To be recognized like that, while still alive—it blew me away.”
And in a final full-circle moment, at his last parade as Reviewing Officer, Parent paused to ask the final cadet on parade why he had joined. The cadet answered: “Because of you. You spoke at my cadet squad’s anniversary parade, and that’s when I decided to join.”
“That’s the last cadet I ever spoke to in uniform,” Parent says, clearly moved.
Today, Parent remains committed to supporting the military community. “Don’t forget the families,” he adds. “We ask so much of them.” It’s why he joined the Together We Stand Foundation, which supports Canadian military families directly.
For younger alumni and cadets, his advice is simple but profound: seek out mentorship, park your ego, and never confuse asking for guidance with sucking up. “It’s not about flattery—it’s about professional development. And for us as alumni, our job is to make the next generation feel proud of where they come from.”
To listen to the RMCAA Trailblazer podcast with Alain Parent, click here: