Training Wing Sergeant Major Departs
It was a fitting way to send off Training Wing Sergeant Major MWO Andy Skinner. With Cadets on parade resplendent in their Scarlets and dress uniforms, the final rehearsal for Friday’s Change of Appointment Parade was brought to a halt to acknowledge the efforts of Sgt Major Skinner since his arrival at RMCC three years ago.
“I’ve seen a progression since I arrived here,” LCol Sue Wigg, outgoing RMCC Director of Cadets, told those assembled on the parade square. “From my first parade to the most recent, the level of discipline has improved, and that is thanks to the efforts of Sgt Major Skinner.”
Sgt Major Skinner echoed these sentiments in a brief speech, saying, “Everything I have done has been to help you achieve your goals, and to help you be the best officer you can be. As one who could one day be serving under you, trying to do the job, that is what I have tried to do in my time here.”
MWO Skinner is moving on to the Canadian Defense Academy.
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College Campus Changes with the Seasons
RMCC’s annual summer Sea Cadet invasion began this past week with the arrival of the CIC Officers and Staff Cadets at HMCS Ontario, which will call the College home for the next month. The Staff Cadets spent the week doing a training course to prepare them for the arrival of the Course Cadets this past weekend. Members of HMCS Ontario also participated in the “Flight of the Royal George,” a dramatic re-enactment of the War of 1812 which took place in Kingston Harbour on Canaday Day. HMCS Ontario personnel, along with their cannon, successfully defended Point Frederick from the American “invaders.”
Articles and Photos by 25366 Mike Shewfelt
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Kingston Branch Enjoys July
Article and Photos by 25366 Mike Shewfelt with contributions from 5207 Andrew Robb
The numbers may have been down, but you wouldn’t have known it to look at them. Those members of the Kingston Branch not off enjoying the beautiful July weather met this past Wednesday for their monthly luncheon. The usual cocktail hour was followed by lunch at the Senior Staff Mess, and a presentation by 16642 Col Stephen Cadden, CFB Kingston Base Commander.
Col Cadden spoke to the branch members on the status of CFB Kingston in light of the federal government’s austerity program and the impact it will have on the CF as a whole. The mission of the base, he said, will remain unchanged: to provide the highest possible standard of support to all the varied units that call CFB Kingston ‘home’.
Those units that call the Base home, known as lodger units, include eight army units, 13 joint units including RMC, six from the reserves and cadets, one air force unit and three miscellaneous units. CFB Kingston is home to over 8400 personnel, making it the largest base in Canada. Notably, the ratio of support staff to supported members has fallen from 1:2.8 to 1:13.5 over the last 17 years without a drop in effectiveness.
Although the Base will lose 90 positions over the next three years, this will have a negligible effect on the staff due to job transfer processes. At the same time, CFB Kingston will receive more units transferred from other bases. 1 Engineer Support Unit with about 100 personnel will relocate to Kingston in 2013. The staff of 1 Div HQ will increase by about 50 positions and the Army Intelligence Unit will move here about 200 positions. The positive message Col Cadden left the Kingston Branch members with is that the Base is growing and will be an even more significant part of the Kingston community in the years to come.
Financially, the Base contributes well over $700 million to the economy of Kingston every year, which is equivalent to $1.38 million per day. Real estate transaction fees and related legal fees alone amount to $2.5 million of that amount annually.
CFB Kingston’s contribution to the local community also includes the personal contributions of the CF members and their families posted to the Base. These include support of sports, charities, parades, and festivals.
The Kingston Branch members were pleased to hear this update and to see all the positive contributions of the Base and its people to the community as a whole.
The next Kingston Branch Luncheon is Wednesday 1 Aug. All Ex Cadets in the area are welcome to attend. Casual summer dress in effect.
Friday, August 10, Banyan – Timing details to follow…
Check out the very interesting Branch Website