On 23 January 2025, the Communications & Electronics Branch gathered at Canadian Forces Station Leitrim All Ranks Mess (and online) for the appointment of Brigadier-General Martin Girard, OMM, MSM, CD (Retired) to the position of C&E Branch Colonel Commandant.

From right to left: Colonel Steeve Lavoie (Branch Advisor), Brigadier-General Martin Girard (Colonel Commandant), and Major-General Dave Yarker (Branch Leader) sign the Appointment Certificates

The appointment of a Colonel Commandant is a centuries-old British Army tradition that Branches of the Canadian Armed Forces elected to perpetuate. The historical origin of the appointment is somewhat vague, but it appears to have evolved during the 18th century in a similar manner to that of the appointment of Colonel of The Regiment in the British Army. Those honoured with this appointment were not always active military officers; retired military officers and prominent citizens of the community were also so appointed.

The Branch Leader presents the Colonel Commandant with the Appointment Certificate from the Governor General

As an honorary appointment, the first Colonel Commandant in the Canadian Army was appointed for the Royal Canadian Artillery in January 1925. In December 1947, each corps of the Canadian Army was permitted to have its own Colonel Commandant. Brigadier J.E. Genet, CBE, MC, CD was appointed the first Colonel Commandant of the RCCS on 18 August, 1948 and as such represents the first in a line of Colonels Commandant of what ultimately became the C&E Branch upon unification. Appointment was restricted to former officers of the Canadian Armed Forces who, normally, held the rank of Colonel or above upon retirement. Nominations could be initiated only by the Branch Advisor, and were subject to the approval of the Minister of National Defence. Lieutenant-General Clark served as the first Colonel Commandant of the C&E Branch.

The Branch Leader presents the Colonel Commandant with the personal letter from the Minister of National Defence, The Honourable Bill Blair, notifying him of his appointment

Today, the Branch Leader plays a central role in the nomination of Colonels Commandant, consulting with senior C&E Branch officers and NCMs as well as retired Branch members to identify candidates suitable for the appointment. Selection entails a litany of considerations: retired officers must demonstrate commitment to the C&E Branch (while serving and throughout retirement), they are expected to support Branch and C&E Association programmes, have no public political affiliations, and are willing volunteers for the selfless and unpaid service implied by the appointment. Those who meet these criteria are carefully considered before being nominated by the Branch Leader for Ministerial approval. Once appointed, Colonels Commandant typically serve for three years.

The Branch Leader presents the Colonel Commandant with a replica of the authorization of the Royal Banner

The Colonel Commandant is not involved in the operational affairs of the units of the Branch. He or she is considered a ‘conscience keeper’ of the Branch and a guardian of its traditions: a link between the past and the present. He or she represents all members of the C&E Family including serving members (Regular and Reserve), retired members, and their families. They are the channel of communication between the Branch and the Colonel-in-Chief, and a leader that fosters esprit de corps throughout its membership. They are a driver of the Branch’s strategic outlook and an ombudsman who can receive questions and concerns from all ranks in a non-partisan role and channel them to the appropriate tier in the Branch Leadership. They liaise with our C&E units, both Regular Force and Reserve, with other Honorary appointments serving C&E units, with Branch-associated cadet units, and with allied Corps or affiliated formations, regiments, and units.

The Colonel Commandant during his (short!) speech

We were also fortunate to be able to say a proper “Thank you” to a previous Colonel Commandant, Brigadier-General Kevin O’Keefe, OMM, CD (Retired). The Branch Leader, Major-General Dave Yarker, and former C&E Branch Adjutant (current Royal Canadian Corps of Signals Adjutant), Major Blair Christie, gifted a sword to Brigadier-General Kevin O’Keefe to mark his tenure as Colonel Commandant from 2018 to 2021.

Major-General Dave Yarker, Cyber Force Commander, presents Mr. Kevin O’Keefe, former Colonel Commandant, with a gift of appreciation during the Colonel Commandant Appointment Ceremony at Canadian Forces Station Leitrim in Ottawa, Ontario, on 23 January 2025.
Photo credit: Corporal Liam Du Plessis, Imagery Technician, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau)

Finally, Major-General Dave Yarker presented both Brigadier-General Kevin O’Keefe and Brigadier-General Martin Girard with King Charles III’s Coronation Medals.

Major-General Dave Yarker, Cyber Force Commander (right), presents Mr. Kevin O’Keefe, Former Colonel Commandant, with the King Charles’s III Coronation Medal during the Colonel Commandant Appointment Ceremony at Canadian Forces Station Leitrim in Ottawa, Ontario, on 23 January 2025.
Photo credit: Corporal Liam Du Plessis, Imagery Technician, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau)

Major-General Dave Yarker, Cyber Force Commander (right), presents Colonel Commandant Martin Girard with the King Charles’s III Coronation Medal during the Colonel Commandant Appointment Ceremony at Canadian Forces Station Leitrim in Ottawa, Ontario, on 23 January 2025.
Photo credit: Corporal Liam Du Plessis, Imagery Technician, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau)

Thank you to all that attended both in-person and online. Congratulations Brigadier-General Martin Girard, OMM, MSM, CD (Retired) on your appointment!

A special thank you to Major Brody Peddle for carrying out the duties of Master of Ceremony to perfection and the wonderful staff at CFS Leitrim ARM for their support during the setup and execution of the ceremony.

Colonel Commandant Martin Girard during the Colonel Commandant Appointment Ceremony at Canadian Forces Station Leitrim in Ottawa, Ontario, on 23 January 2025.
Photo credit: Corporal Liam Du Plessis, Imagery Technician, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau)

M. Kevin O’Keefe, former Colonel Commandant, during the Colonel Commandant Appointment Ceremony at Canadian Forces Station Leitrim in Ottawa, Ontario, on 23 January 2025.
Photo credit: Corporal Liam Du Plessis, Imagery Technician, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau)

M. Kevin O’Keefe, former Colonel Commandant, during the Colonel Commandant Appointment Ceremony at Canadian Forces Station Leitrim in Ottawa, Ontario, on 23 January 2025.
Photo credit: Corporal Liam Du Plessis, Imagery Technician, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau)

M. Kevin O’Keefe, former Colonel Commandant (third from the left), during the Colonel Commandant Appointment Ceremony at Canadian Forces Station Leitrim in Ottawa, Ontario, on 23 January 2025.
Photo credit: Corporal Liam Du Plessis, Imagery Technician, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau)

Colonel Commandant Martin Girard during the Colonel Commandant Appointment Ceremony at Canadian Forces Station Leitrim in Ottawa, Ontario, on 23 January 2025.
Photo credit: Corporal Liam Du Plessis, Imagery Technician, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau)