Memo from Director RCCS

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Message from Dir RCCS

As noted by the CMCEN Administrator, the topic of the RCCS returning to the Royal Blue beret generated some discussion. I would like to point out that
the Army Commander has already made the decision based on the input from the Directors of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, The Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, The Royal Canadian Engineers and me. The proposal to return to the Royal Blue Beret for those Regiments and Corps upon which the Royal designation or restoration of the “Royal” designation was bestowed is part of the overall initiatives aimed at reconnecting the Canadian Army with its past. This includes the more visible changes such as the change to the rank insignia but equally more symbolic changes such as the return to the divisional system, the restoration of camp, formation and divisional flags, appointment pennants and formal recognition of traditional ranks such as Signaller.

Prior to providing the RCCS positon on the proposal the currently serving RCCS soldiers/officers were polled as was the C&E retired community (via CMCEN). The responses to the poll ranged from apathy to strong support for and against the idea. However, there was a majority (roughly 60%) that were in favour of the change. Therefore, as I’ve communicated before, my response to the Army Commander was that if the recommendation from the other Arms Directors was favourable that the RCCS was in. In making my recommendation I took into account the responses that were against the idea citing that this would somehow weaken the C&E Branch. The reality is that today’s members of the C&E Branch already wear different colour uniforms, and different uniform accoutrements. Some wear light blue berets or wedges, some wear dark blue berets and some wear green. Some of our members even wear maroon, black or tan berets when serving in certain units or formations. Only the Army continues to wear the “C&E Branch” collar dogs. The one accoutrement common to us all remains our C&E Cap Badge. The reason for which despite many who proposed adopting the RCCS Cap Badge, I choose not to pursue.

What unites the members of the C&E Branch is the commonality of the capabilities our members bring to the fight. The critical communications and command and control capabilities enabling our commanders to win in today’s complex battlespaces. One just need look at the make-up of our “joint” units such as the Canadian Joint Signal Regiment, Canadian Forces Stations Leitrim or 76 Communication Regiment where daily members of our branch serve side by side in different uniforms, with different headdress but with common purpose and common pride.

When I was appointed as the Director of The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals the Branch Leader gave me some clear direction and guidance: ” A Strong Corps in a Strong Branch”. The adoption of the Royal Blue beret for the RCCS, will serve to strengthen the linkages to our past and by extension make the Corps stronger; by extension it will equally strengthen our Branchwhich shares its roots with those of the RCCS.

Colonel Sean Sullivan

 

CMCEN Administrator’s Note: while there were many key strategic issues addressed in the Director of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals’ (D RCCS) letter, the community has reacted strongly – and emotionally, disrespectfully in some cases – to one another in the comments, on a single initiative mentioned in D RCCS’ letter – the decision for the RCCS to adopt the dark blue beret again. Due to the negative comments between commentators (both for and against the dark blue beret, a decision that has already been made), comments have been temporarily hidden.

As a matter of fact, there were wide consultations including a survey that was conducted last year on the subject of going to a Dark Blue Beret – both within the serving RCCS, and the greater RCCS and Retired C&E Community (link here).

The CMCEN Administrators encourage respectful dialogue at all times.

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