News

Branch Advisor Appointment

Oct 12, 2021 | 1 comment

Officers and Warrant Officers of the C&E Branch and founding services: On behalf of the Branch Leadership; the Colonel Commandant and Branch Leader are honoured to announce that Colonel John Roper, CD has been appointed as the next C&E Branch Advisor.  The position took effect on 24 September 2021. Colonel Roper presently serves as the Director of Aerospace Equipment Program Management (DAEPM) for Radars and Communications Systems.  He brings wealth of experience to the portfolio, having served in the Army Reserves as an Armoured Trooper with operational experience before transferring to the Regular Force as a CELE Officer.  He held appointments and positions at CFSCE, the CFJSR, and ADM(IM) in a range of staff and line functions.  He held senior command appointments at NORAD and 22 Wing, and garnered years of experience in command & control and cyber operations.  Colonel Roper holds a Master of Defence Studies, a Bachelor of Science, and a Diploma in Applied Computer Programming. As the C&E Branch Advisor, Colonel Roper will be entrusted to provide counsel and advice to the Branch Leadership and Commander Military Personnel Command regarding trade, profession, and personnel challenges impacting all the occupations under the C&E Branch. Congratulations Colonel Roper on your appointment as […]

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Veterans Affairs Update October 2021

Oct 12, 2021 | 0 comments

In this edition: World Mental Health Day Veteran success story: Roger Chabot Share your views on the Rehabilitation Program Indigenous Veteran rocks Indigenous Day Live 2021 Return of the Faces of Freedom Podcast series Apply now for community war memorial funding Bring the spirit of Remembrance Day into your classroom Programs and services World Mental Health Day World Mental Health Day is October 10. This day is a time to educate and raise awareness of mental health issues around the world. Did you know that in 2020, 71% of Veterans who received disability benefits for a mental health condition had PTSD? Mental health is important for well-being and quality of life. There are a variety of resources to help Veterans, family members and caregivers take care of their mental health: VAC Assistance Service is available 24/7 to Veterans, former RCMP members, their family members, or caregivers, including those who aren’t clients of VAC. Get support right now from a mental health professional by calling 1-800-268-7708 (TDD/TYY: 1-800-567-5803). Operational stress injury clinics provide in-person and virtual assessment, treatment and support to address mental health issues related to service. Veterans, CAF and RCMP members can access the clinics through referral. Family members may also […]

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Historic Plaque Placed to Mark CFB Clinton History

Sep 30, 2021 | 3 comments

By Denny Scott, The Huron Citizen After years of planning and a one-year delay due to COVID-19, Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Clinton was honoured on the weekend with a historical plaque, marking the site’s importance in the military history of the country. The event, which came together thanks to the efforts of the Canadian Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the Vimy Officers’ Mess at CFB Kingston, Veterans Affairs Canada, the late Jan Hawley and current and past Huron East Council and staff, saw a plaque placed in front of the Vanastra Recreation Centre on Sunday. The plaque details a brief history of the base and its importance to the community. The site, among other things, was home to the base church. The event started with a parade including colour parties from local Legion branches and the pipe bands from the Clinton and Brussels branches of the Legion. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Tony Charters of the association emceed the event, welcoming a number of special guest speakers as well as Royal Canadian Legion members from a number of local branches, and the community at large. He said that the genesis of the event could be traced back to Retired Brigadier-General Kevin O’Keefe, […]

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Operation ‘Hellping’ Hannah

Sep 28, 2021 | 0 comments

Over the weekend of September 25 & 26, 2021 Corporals Pat Kerr (CFJSR) and Kevin Fournier (21 EW) rucked 110km with 40lb packs from Perth to Kingston, Ontario for charity. This long ruck was the culminating event of “Operation Hellping Hannah” a project in which the pair have currently raised over $37,000 for Kingston Health Science Centre’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit webcam project. The webcams, once installed will allow parents of premature and high risk babies to view their children anywhere, anytime via secure connection. Kerr experienced the need for such devices first hand when his daughter was born 13 weeks early last February while deployed to Latvia on ROTO 15 of OP REASSURANCE. Kerr was repatriated the day after her birth, however he still had to wait an additional 14 days to meet her due to COVID-19 protocols. Video calls between Kerr and his wife during her visits to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) filled that role for their family. While in isolation Kerr began a small fundraiser to give back to NICU while completing the David Goggins 4x4x48 Challenge on his treadmill. He then set his goals higher vowing to ruck 1km for every day his daughter […]

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Veterans Affairs Update September 2021

Sep 15, 2021 | 0 comments

In this edition: Support for Veterans struggling with events in Afghanistan Shortening processing times for benefits decisions You are not alone: World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10 The Shining Light of HOPE marks 15 years Online engagement: 2,700 Veterans have their say Virtual discussion series on military sexual trauma Anniversary of the Battle of Britain Merchant Navy Veterans Day A celebration of life: BGen (Ret) Sheila Anne Hellstrom Programs and services Veterans struggling with events in Afghanistan The current situation in Afghanistan is distressing for many Canadians, Veterans and their families, especially for those who served there. During this time, Veterans may be asking themselves difficult questions or revisiting experiences and relationships formed during their service or deployments. Their families may be struggling along with them. In reaction to current events in the region, Veterans may: feel frustrated, sad, and helpless feel distressed and preoccupied feel angry or betrayed experience moral distress struggle with questions of the meaning of our time in Afghanistan experience an increase in symptoms of operational stress injuries like PTSD or depression sleep poorly increase alcohol or drug use, or participation in other addictive behaviors overconsume or try to avoid media isolate themselves have more […]

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