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[caption id="attachment_32191" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sailor First Class (S1) Anna Cocquyt stands next to the ship's bell of HMCS Max Bernays, which proudly bears the bell rope she created.[/caption] Lt(N) Anastasiya Karakoy, UPAR, HMCS Max Bernays — From the outside looking in, service in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) may appear highly regimented, with little room for creativity. However, the uniformity of military life often eases to allow for the creation of some truly remarkable artwork in support of naval tradition, which in turn forms a piece integral to the identity of the RCN. A streak of artistic creativity recently appeared onboard HMCS Max Bernays through the artwork of crewmember Sailor First Class (S1) Anna Cocquyt. S1 Cocquyt is currently a Boatswain onboard HMCS Max Bernays, Canada’s newest Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS). The ship needed a decorative rope created for its ceremonial bell, and S1 Cocquyt jumped on the opportunity. “Something that has surprised me when I joined the Navy was how much the military celebrates the arts,” she said, commenting that the military encourages members to create and submit artwork to be displayed and celebrated. The artwork includes morale patches, 57mm Gun art, hammerhead war paint, and decorative rope work for ceremonial bell ropes and paddles. A London, Ont., local, S1 Cocquyt joined the RCN in 2016 at HMCS Prevost to challenge herself by getting out of her comfort zone and seeking new experiences. The past seven years have taken S1 Cocquyt far beyond the borders of North America. With two major international exercises, two medals and three deployments under her belt, S1 Cocquyt has had some remarkable experiences while working in the RCN. “I thought joining the Navy was an opportunity to experience things that ordinary jobs can’t provide, and boy was I right,” S1 Cocquyt says. “Seven years later, I have made a million memories and have achieved more than I ever believed of myself at the beginning of this journey.” Among S1 Cocquyt’s many remarkable adventures in...

[caption id="attachment_32188" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Master Sailor Jeffrey Horan is the recipient of the Canadian Fleet Pacific Sailor of the Quarter (2022-2023) Award. His award was presented by Commodore David Mazur, Commanding Officer Canadian Fleet Pacific, and Chief Petty Officer First Class Dave Bisal, Fleet Chief, in a ceremony at HMCS Calgary’s Shore Office on Feb. 14.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Master Sailor (MS) Jeffrey Horan, a hard-working Marine Technician of HMCS Calgary, is the latest Canadian Fleet Pacific Sailor of the Quarter Award recipient. “He has demonstrated outstanding technical acumen, readiness to tackle unique challenges, advanced administration and development of subordinates under his charge,” said Commander (Cdr) Adriano Lozer, Calgary’s Commanding Officer. Cdr Lozer said due to personnel constraints, MS Horan has been the only Master Sailor in the Marine Systems Engineering department and has therefore taken on more excellent administrative and leadership responsibilities for a significant number of junior technicians. While presenting him with an award covering the final quarter of the fiscal year (2022-2023), Cdr Lozer described MS Horan as someone who routinely takes on more responsibility and goes above and beyond what is expected of him. Cdr Lozer noted that MS Horan ‘scrupulously’ developed a training regime to aid all Marine Systems Engineers (MSE) members under training to complete their objectives while offering mentorship and guidance to them. Receiving the award and recognition from the command team came as quite a surprise to MS Horan, who says his main intention was to influence his coworkers during difficult times positively. “It’s nice to know that my hard work has not gone unnoticed,” he said. “It is also important to point out the amazing individuals and mentors who work just as hard and are just as deserving of this award, so, I personally want to thank all for your hard...

2Lt Naman Sharma, Base Transport — We see Canadian Forces Registrations (CFR) on our local roads all the time and an even greater amount of clandestine rental vehicles operating under DND’s purview, but where do they come from? Base Transport at Work Point 1365 holds nearly 750 combined CFR 'green' and 'blue' fleet vehicles. 'Green fleet' refers to anything in a Standard Military Pattern (SMP), typically requiring the DND 404 licence and a secondary qualification to drive, and will always have a CFR. 'Blue fleet' refers to anything civilian-patterned, typically only requiring the DND 404 license and may or may not have a CFR. The fleet is also augmented by rental vehicles to support the Fleet at large. They’re further organized into General Purpose Vehicles (GPV) and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) based on their specific functions, such as Snow & Ice Control (SNIC) or carrying dozens of troops to Fleet School. They’re maintained by our partners, with whom we share our compound, the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) personnel of Base Maintenance, to form the Transportation and Electrical-Mechanical Engineering (TEME) section of CFB Esquimalt. Base Transport fulfilled over 5,600 requests for various kinds of runs in 2022, with many of those being long-term and multi-vehicle requests, for a total of 4.3 million kilometres driven in the year. Some of our most significant contributors to these numbers are the National Freight Run (NFR) that goes from CFB Esquimalt to CFB Edmonton, hauling Unaccompanied Baggage (UAB), operational parts, ammo – just about anything goes, and is connected from there on to the rest of Canada; ammo runs from Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot (CFAD) Rocky Point down to the ports of the United States for joint exercises; and local traffic completing mail runs between various detachments in Victoria and Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Sailors and navy enthusiasts can acquire one-of-a-kind treasures at this year’s Massive Marine and Outdoor Garage Sale. “Nothing is too strange for the Massive Marine and Outdoor Garage Sale. Whether you have a boat or are an outdoor enthusiast, there will be something for you,” said Brittany Vis, the Maritime Museum of BC (MMBC) Executive Director. Attendees can see hundreds of items for sale, including boats, engines, kayaks, fishing, camping and recreational gear, navigational tools, winches and lines, boat clothing, onboard engines, and many other items. A springtime tradition in Victoria now returning for its 19th year, the Massive Marine and Outdoor Garage Sale will benefit the MMBC this year. Trotac Marine, a local marine technology and equipment supplier and one of the event’s title sponsors, is running their own garage sale during this event, and will donate 50 per cent of individual proceeds to help support the MMBC to continue operations and assist with running its school and public programs. The annual garage sale returns to Ogden Point Pier on March 25, 9 a.m. to noon. The garage sale has a $5 entrance fee and a $10 Early Bird (8:40 a.m.) entrance fee for dedicated bargain hunters looking for first dibs on second-hand treasures. Sponsors for this year’s event also include Victoria Harbour Authority and CFB Esquimalt. For more information, including vendor rental rates, visit the MMBC website at mmbc.bc.ca/garage-sale/.

Ryan Cane, Senior Manager Recreation Program and Community Services — What are you doing Saturday, March 25th? The Level Up virtual conference is an exciting event designed specifically for teens from the military community in Canada. This year’s conference will be the second annual event, and it promises to be an engaging and interactive experience for all attendees. The conference will feature a range of workshops, speakers, and networking opportunities, all focused on helping teens develop valuable skills and connections. The workshops will cover topics such as leadership, career exploration, mental health, and more. Speakers include Dr. TA Loeffler and Spencer West. Dr. Loeffler brings 35 years of expertise in leading people through significant life-changing experiences to every facet of her work. Her adventures have taken her to 52 different countries and all seven continents. She has completed 6 and four-fifths of ‘The Seven Summits’, the highest peaks on all seven continents. In 2020, Dr. Loeffler was named to the ‘90 Greatest Canadian Explorers’ list by Canadian Geographic. Both obstacles and triumphs have marked the life of visionary and activist Spencer West. After losing both legs from the pelvis down at age five, he entered a world that might have easily defeated him. Instead, he tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate in a world set against those with disabilities. Spencer is a global keynote speaker, content creator, and activist. He is known for summiting Mount Kilimanjaro on his hands and wheelchair and opening for Demi Lovato on a World Tour. “One of the unique aspects of the Level Up virtual conference is that it provides a safe and supportive environment for teens with a military background to connect with each other,” says Isabelle Werlen, Personnel Support Programs National Recreation Manager and conference organizer. “This can be especially important for teens who have...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — When a Second World War veteran and former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) maintenance crew member was asked about his secret to living a long healthy life, his words were few but to the point. “Never give in, keep moving, keep going forward,” Albert Middleton said. “Also, don’t smoke – it’s bad for you.” The party-goers inside the Oak Room at Victoria’s Veterans Memorial Lodge, a Broadmead Care Home, raised a toast to Middleton’s good health and longevity as he, one of Canada’s oldest military veterans, celebrated his 108th birthday on March 11. The occasion gave many attending time to reflect on his remarkable life and longevity. When Middleton was born in England in 1915, Sir Robert Borden was Prime Minister of Canada, the Panama Canal had just been built, the Spanish flu pandemic had yet to sweep the globe, and a new technology called ‘radio’ was still in its infancy. Middleton arrived in Toronto in 1929 as a war orphan when he was 14. His ‘never give up’ attitude helped him make his way through the Great Depression, the war years, and life, says his daughter Darlene Van Raay. Van Raay says he always told her you need only three things for happiness: something to do, something to look forward to, and someone to love. “That pretty much sums it all up,” she said. In 1943, at the height of the Second World War, Middleton enlisted in the Air Force. On Sept. 21, 1943, he joined the RCAF as a General Serviceman. Initially stationed in Lachine, Que., he was then sent to England where he served for most of the war. After the war, he continued his military service as an Air Force Reservist and later worked as a security guard while also operating a 65-acre hobby farm near Brantford, Ont., which he purchased in 1956. Much later in life, Middleton returned to England and lived there for more than 20 years. At 90, he...

[caption id="attachment_32170" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of the Greenwood Bombers gather at center ice for a group photo in celebration of their CAF Old Timers National Championship victory at Wurtele Arena, March 17. Photo: Peter Mallett/Lookout.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The Greenwood Bombers were crowned Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Old Timers Hockey Champions. The team required double overtime to defeat the Ottawa Olde Generals with the final score of 4-3 in the tournament championship game at Wurtele Arena on March 17. “It feels great to be National Champions and it couldn’t have happened without great team work,” said Warrant Officer (WO) Wayne Belair of the Greenwood Bombers. WO Wayne Belair converted his snap shot into a goal 52 seconds into the second overtime period to give Greenwood the win. Ottawa appeared to have won the title with 3:09 remaining when Sergeant Brad Westerman scored with a wrist shot to give the Olde Generals a 3-2 lead. But then Greenwood’s Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Michael Pastuck converted a centering pass to tie the score with 52 seconds remaining. WO Belair and Ottawa’s Captain Stephane Guillemette won game MVP honours, while the Tournament MVP Award went to Greenwood’s MWO Andrew Glessing. Ottawa outshot Greenwood 52-32. Greenwood defeated Kingston 4-2 to win their semi-final game on March 16. Goaltender shines in loss Esquimalt Tritons were removed as contenders for the gold medal after losing in the semi-finals on March 16. The ‘Gold and Navy’ hoped for a win after their undefeated run and tournament title at the Canada West Regional Championships in Cold Lake, Alta., last month. The team built on their games in the round-robin but lost to Kingston, Ottawa and Greenwood. Esquimalt then came roaring back to life in their semi-final game against Ottawa before eventually falling 2-1 in double overtime. The Tritons resurged during the semi-final game thanks to the stellar play of Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) Randy Collens, Tritons’ goaltender, said Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) Rob Tibbetts, Tritons...

Ashley Evans, FMF Cape Breton, CFB Esquimalt — The concept of Health Breaks was introduced to me about ten months ago when I joined the MARPAC Mental Health and Wellness Strategy Working Group. It struck a chord immediately. Making intentional 'me' time during breaks felt like an important message to include in our monthly newsletters at the Fleet Maintenance Facility, and the response has been quite positive. As the saying goes, "put your oxygen mask on first". When we take care of ourselves and prioritize our mental health and physical wellness, we fill up that proverbial bucket and have more to give in all other areas of our lives. I wanted to reframe breaks as a time of attention spent on our well-being, both physically and mentally. This can look like taking a short walk, listening to a meditation or podcast, drinking a hot cup of tea, eating a healthy snack, listening to music, colouring, or stretching. The options are limitless, and we have taken to offer suggestions that take between 1–15 minutes in our monthly newsletter.  I was recently invited to Shop 144C Electrical where the team was gathered outside stretching before their workday – a ritual they’ve continued every morning for over four years. Their breath could be seen on the cold air just as the sun was coming up. Stretching is beneficial to their bodies as they prepared for the physical demands of their job; I couldn’t help but recognize how beneficial the silence and fresh air may have been for their mental well-being as well. Their Work Centre Supervisor Brian Mason, shared that the stretching is of great benefit to the team. “It reduces injuries and increases morale,” he said. Health breaks are truly vital. Taking a few minutes to yourself to breathe, collect your thoughts, and have a sip of water can make a valuable difference not only to you but also the work you are doing. Starting with a stretch at your desk or a walk...

Sgt Denis Byrne, Canadian Scottish Regiment Mountaineering Team — On Feb. 10-13, four of eight Canadian Scottish Regiment (CSR) Mountaineering Team members participated in a technical ice climbing training clinic in Lillooet, 200 kilometres north of Vancouver. The Canadian Scottish Regiment Mountaineering Team is a self-directed effort at the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers [...]

[caption id="attachment_32153" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Major (ret'd) Nick Holyome trains on a stationary bike during an Invictus Games training camp at the Naden Athletic Centre Feb. 7. Holyome will compete in cycling, rowing and wheelchair rugby at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Sept. 9–16. Photo: Peter Mallett/Lookout[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The healing power of sport inspired two local military athletes to compete in the Invictus Games for a second time. Sergeant (ret’d) Patrick Gordon and Major (ret’d) Nick Holyome planned to participate in the 2020 Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands, but circumstances beyond their control scuttled their plans. The 2020 Games were postponed due to precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and weren’t staged until 2022. Now, Gordon and Holyome say they are enthusiastic about going again as part of Canada’s team in Düsseldorf, Germany. To prepare for the competition, both men participated in Team Canada’s week-long Invictus Training Camp in Victoria, Feb. 6–10. Both Gordon and Holyome sustained long-term injuries during their military service in Afghanistan. Holyome says sports can be a powerful prescription for military members experiencing mental health concerns. “The Invictus Games are a visceral example of why having a little bit of competition in a team environment can really have a positive impact on people,” he said. The healing power of sport helped him improve his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) trigger symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Holyome began his military service in 1992 and retired as a Reservist in 2019. His injuries occurred during four tours of Afghanistan while working as an Intelligence Officer with the Canadian Army. In 2015, he was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression. “I repressed thoughts and memories [about Afghanistan], tried to tuck them away in a little ball and hoped they wouldn’t come back, but the experiences left a permanent mark,” he said. He discovered the joy of Nordic skiing during his recovery. Holyome will compete for Team Canada in cycling, rowing, and wheelchair rugby. Gordon says getting a...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Neither rain, snow, nor sleet could keep the Wounded Warrior Run BC (WWRBC) team from delivering on their promise. The eight-member team’s task was an eight-day relay-style run across Vancouver Island, covering more than 600 kilometres. Their mission: to raise awareness and funds on behalf of Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC) for programs that benefit military members, veterans and first responders who are experiencing Operational Stress Injuries (OSI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This year’s annual trek was made more exhausting by multiple snowstorms, howling winds and sub-zero temperatures for a good chunk of the event, said Captain (Capt) Jacqueline Zweng of the Regional Cadet Support Unit, WWRBC Director and run participant. “Although the weather didn’t slow our runners down, it certainly added a level of complexity that we aren’t used to,” Capt Zweng said. “These were the worst weather conditions I have seen in my seven years of participating in the event.” The team's other members from the Base included: Captain (Capt) Natalie Butler, runner; Capt Jacqueline Zweng, Race director; Master Sailor (MS) Amver Cinco of the Naval Personnel Training Group (NPTG), runner; Matt Carlson, a civilian employee with the Base Commander’s Office and Support Team Runner; and Chief Petty Officer Second Class John Penner, a Divisional Commander of Naval Fleet School (Pacific) and the team’s photographer. On March 5, the team completed their gruelling mission. A large crowd of supporters gathered to cheer them on at the finish line at Market Square in downtown Victoria. Their well-wishers included Del Manak, Victoria Police Chief, and Marianne Alto, the Mayor of Victoria. Other supporters included Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and Capt(N) J. Jeffrey Hutchinson, Commander, CFB Esquimalt. The first leg of their run from Port Hardy to Woss on Feb. 26 set the tone for this year’s event as a late winter snowstorm, and near-zero visibility greeted runners at the start line. Several days of below-seasonal temperatures were followed by a torrential rain,...

[caption id="attachment_32139" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Master Sailor Thomas Eustace and his brother-in-law David. Photos: SLt Murdock-Finegold.[/caption] SLt Lyann Murdock-Finegold, HMCS Winnipeg — On Feb. 16, HMCS Winnipeg was honoured to welcome over 100 guests, family and friends onboard for Family Day to experience a day in our life at sea. The faces with the big round eyes of little ones and their keen interest made the day for Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Benjamin Miller, the face behind the Voice of Winnipeg, which comes across the public address system. The Voice of Winnipeg provided information about the day’s schedule and ‘salty dits’ about the ship and naval traditions to the guests throughout the day. From the Navigation and Seamanship Brief for the Exit and Entrance of Esquimalt Harbour to securing specials and closing up the watch, guests could glimpse the hard work and dedication of the crew. Lieutenant-Commander James Ahlstrom, Executive Officer of HMCS Winnipeg, expressed how gratifying it was to see family and friends onboard and appreciated the ability to show our guests what we do at sea. With lots of experience from OP Projection ’22, the crew conducted tours spanning the entirety of the ship. Our Naval Boarding Party and Ship’s Dive Team fought to be the favoured station and were, more importantly, available to take photographs with aspiring members. Unfortunately, for both teams, the excitement of the Bridge was voted best station. The Captain’s and Executive Officer’s chairs were particularly popular with younger guests, a couple of which were daring enough to sit and imagine what it would be like to command a warship. Master Sailor (MS) Tom Eustace, a Senior Engineering Watch Keeper, brought his brother-in-law David for the day sail. David found the entire experience educational, and MS Eustace enjoyed getting the family to see what he does at sea. David relayed how proud he is of his brother-in-law’s accomplishments, thanking the crew of HMCS Winnipeg for their service and for welcoming him onboard. Interrupted by 1000 stand easy, guests were introduced...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The Senior Tritons continue their quest for a National hockey title this week on home ice at Wurtele Arena. CFB Esquimalt is hosting this year’s Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Old-Timers' Hockey Championships, March 13-17. The tournament brings together four regional champions from bases across the country. Following their Gold Medal Game victory last month, Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) Rob Tibbetts, Tritons team captain and forward, said his players are optimistic they can continue the pace at this week’s National Championship tournament. “This is an amazing group of players we have assembled and utilizes a mix of veteran leadership, speed and goaltending,” said CPO2 Tibbetts, the Coxswain of HMCS Corner Brook. Esquimalt won their berth in the CAF Nationals convincingly after outscoring their opposition 38–5 during the Canada West Old-Timers' Regional Championship in Cold Lake, Alta. In regional play, CPO2 Tibbetts says standout performances by many players blessed the Tritons, including forwards Master Sailor Martin Charlebois and Master Warrant Officer JF Bordeleau goaltenders Petty Officer Second Class Randy Collens and Major Dustin Matheson. The goaltenders allowed just four goals over four games against Edmonton, Winnipeg and Comox. To track all the action at the tournament, including updates and scores, award winners and more, follow the Facebook pages of CAF Sports and the Naden Athletic Centre. Tritons Men fall at Nationals The Tritons Open Age Men’s Hockey team recently had their dreams of a National Championship dashed after competing in the Men’s Hockey CAF National Championship at CFB Wainwright, Feb. 27-March 3. They opened their campaign on a strong note with victories over Valcartier and Greenwood but suffered a 10-3 loss to Petawawa to close out round-robin play. Their quest for gold ended with a 5-4 double-overtime loss to Valcartier in the tournament semi-final. Following their season-ending loss, Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Curtis Gillies, Esquimalt Team Manager and Assistant Captain, congratulated his players for their efforts this season and their opponents for a well-deserved win. “Valcartier were...

[caption id="attachment_32132" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Maritime Forces Pacific and CFB Esquimalt’s 2023 National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign wrapped up in March with the presentation of a cheque for $119,028 to the United Way of Southern Vancouver Island and HealthPartners. Pictured here: Sub-Lieutenant Jake Loftus, NDWCC Treasurer ; Matt Carlson, CFB Esquimalt NDWCC Team Leader; Acting Sub-Lieutenant Ryan Henderson, NDWCC Administrative Assistant; Brad Klein, NDWCC Labour Co-chair; Captain (Navy) J. Jeffery Hutchinson, CFB Esquimalt NDWCC 2022-2023 Champion; Erika Stenson, UWSVI Executive Director; Barbara Toller, HealthPartners Director ; Darcy Lindberg, UWSVI Labour Co-ordinator; Laura Pashkewych, UWSVI Director, Donor Relations and Partnerships.[/caption] CFB Esquimalt Base Public Affairs — CFB Esquimalt’s 2023 National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign (NDWCC) wrapped up last week with $119,028 raised for charities across the Greater Victoria Area and beyond, as well as a slew of nomination nods courtesy of the United Way of Southern Vancouver Island (UWSVI). UWSVI named the Base in three categories of its annual Spirit Awards – Culture of Giving, Outstanding Campaign Co-ordinator / Committee (over 100 Employees), and Resilience Award. Matt Carlson, CFB Esquimalt NDWCC Team Leader, said the Base's recognition reflects the generosity and commitment to meaningful giving that runs throughout the MARPAC Defence Team. “I cannot express my gratitude to all the volunteers and our NDWCC Core Team here at CFB Esquimalt who made this campaign such a success,” Carlson said. “They did absolutely amazingly. The Base Commander and Chief Petty Officer First Class Stan Budden, who literally went above and below for a good cause and were thrown into the harbour for the Hutchinson Heave.” The money raised from this year’s NDWCC will go toward the UWSVI and HealthPartners, who support a gamut of local programs, ranging from sexual assault crisis counselling to help for those coping with diabetes. “When a member of the...

[caption id="attachment_32105" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Steel Spirit is always looking for new and emerging artists with and without art experience, from every background and every age. For more information visit: www.thesteelspirit.ca.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The Steel Spirit Gallery is making broader brush strokes by expanding its reach to Western Canada. The next in-person gallery will feature works of Master Corporal (ret’d) Elena Vlassova, a Canadian Armed Forces Image Tech. The exhibition will take place in St. Albert this Fall, says Barbara Brown, founder of Steel Spirit and a former paramedic. “I am absolutely honoured and excited to be spearheading this project in Alberta to help showcase the work of first responders and military members,” she said.   Steel Spirit, founded in 2017, showcases the unique artwork of currently serving military, veterans and first responders. It previously held annual in-person galleries in Eastern Canada and developed a strong online presence with digital galleries since the COVID-19 pandemic.   Steel Spirit’s St. Albert Gallery is now hunting for all types of art submissions from local artists in the Edmonton area. Submissions may include paintings, sketches and drawings to photography, stained glass, sculpture, wood carvings, airbrushing, metalwork, pottery, poetry and everything in between. “The Steel Spirit is open to members with all levels of experience,” Vlassova says. “The gallery focuses more on the members than anything else, and we take pride in giving people the opportunity to try new things and express their personality and experiences.”

[caption id="attachment_32101" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Aaron Grainge, PSP Canadian Forces and Canadian Coast Guard Fitness and Wellness Liaison; and Lorraine Lafrenière, CAC Chief Executive Officer.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — A new Mental Health and Sport Resource Hub is ready to help Canadian Armed Forces coaches and athletes contend with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) launched the Hub as part of its National Mental Health and Sport Project on Feb. 16. It is designed to overcome stigma and guide conversations about mental health, offering training and resources for coaches of elite and amateur athletes to develop mental health literacy and positive practices to improve performances and well-being in sport. “Coaches recognize the power of their role and they are asking for tools and support to positively impact young people – as well as practise self-care,” says Lorraine Lafrenière, CAC Chief Executive Officer. The project aims to address the number of athletes from diverse communities across Canada who are experiencing anxiety, depression and other worsening mental health symptoms as health and safety restrictions ease and they return to the playing field. Lafrenière is a leader within a network of sport partners in Canada that collaborate to manage the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Approximately 60,000 new coaches join the NCCP each year. She says the need for the Mental Health and Sport Resource Hub is urgent. Aaron Grainge, a Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, Canadian Coast Guard Fitness and Wellness Liaison based at CFB Borden and a spokesperson for the project, believes in the merits of the Hub. “I have had many CAF athletes tell me that having a training program and reporting to a coach each week during the height of the pandemic and lockdowns was one of the main things in life that...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — A new Remote Mine-hunting and Disposal System (RMDS) may soon make jobs safer and easier for Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) dive teams. Kraken Robotics, a marine technology company based in St. John’s, Nfld., has been awarded a $50-million contract to produce an RMDS system for the Department of National Defence (DND).  The underwater drone technology is intended to help the Canadian Armed Forces support Naval Mine Countermeasures operations with allies and in United Nations peace operations. “RMDS would dramatically enhance readiness and survivability in mine-threat environments while reducing the risk of potentially losing ships and lives to a sea mine,” said Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) George MacLean of the RCN is Directorate of Naval Requirements office and RMDS Project Director. The RMDS system includes the ability to detect, identify and adequately dispose of a sea-mine threat from a safe distance using Autonomous and Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) technology to depths of 200m. Since Canadian warships regularly deploy overseas to locations where mine threats are high, the technology is a potential game-changer for deployed vessels. LCdr MacLean believes RMDS will greatly enhance safety for Canadian and allied ships currently deployed and supporting such missions as Operation Reassurance in Eastern Europe. How it  works The RMDS system consists of two classes of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). A Lightweight AUV is designed for long-range deep water at depths of 100-200 metres. It has a long-life battery, making them capable of covering larger areas and can be launched from a ship’s crane or the shore. Meanwhile, the Operator Portable AUVs, equipped with Kraken’s AquaPix synthetic aperture sonar, is designed for shallow water operations at shallower depths of 10-100 metres. The system may be deployed by as few as two operators from a ship, a small boat or from the shore. When a mine is identified and determined that it needs disposal, a second ROV, the Sea Fox Mine Disposal System, is deployed to dispose of the mine at a safe distance...

Ashley Evans, Strategic Communications Officer, FMF CB/CS — Not every day you see a Bofors 57mm rapid-fire gun turned inside out, but if you walk past the Above Surface Weapons Work Centre in Fleet Maintenance Facility (FMF) Cape Breton’s (CB) D250 building, that’s exactly what you’ll see. In March 2021, HMCS Regina’s big gun was removed for an 18-month overhaul as part of the five-year Tiered Readiness Program. The timing was ideal as the warship has entered its scheduled lifecycle refit. An overhaul of the Halifax-class frigate’s weapon is as complex as you might think. Upon completion, 8-10 workforce members in work centre 162A will have put in approximately 1,100 – 1,500 work hours. Various team members have also been involved across 13 other work centres: 163 Fire Control, 142 Quality Control, 234B and 211 Engineering, 125 Chemical Cleaners, 143 NDT, 164 Machine Shop, 111 Labourers, 122 Shipwrights, 113 Welding, 112 Boiler Shop, 124 Riggers and Crane, and 123 Paint and Graphics. During this overhaul, the gun is wholly disassembled; everything is stripped out and run through various tests to check for damage and cracks, including non-visible cracks inspected in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). “This is a complete teardown,” said Tim Christy, FMF Work Centre Supervisor for Surface Weapons Shop (162A). “We will then assess and repair  all compromised parts.” This five-year overhaul thus far includes the replacement of aged-out hydraulic hoses and complete assessments of the breach-ring assembly, magazines, cassettes, and hoist system. The Breach-ring assembly, made of 50-60 parts, holds the firing components. Work completed on the magazines, cassettes and hoist system is predicted to take over one hundred hours alone as the team manually tests the movement of the parts required to load and balance ammunition. Following the repairs completion and before re-instalment onboard HMCS Regina, Work Centre 162A will complete Set-to-Work assessments to ensure all systems are working and tested to the best of their ability in-house, including checking for hydraulic leaks and alignment, essentially proving the big gun...

[caption id="attachment_32085" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Naval Warfare Officer Lieutenant-Commander (ret’d) Michael Greer and his wife Angela show off their riding equipment at their home near Brentwood Bay. The couple is preparing for a ten-year motorcycle trip around the world in a charitable initiative to raise money for orphanages in several countries. Credit: Peter Mallett/Lookout Newspaper.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — A local retired Naval Warfare Officer and his wife sold their house, car, and 90 per cent of their worldly possessions to embark on the trip of a lifetime. “As the departure date gets closer, it’s getting real, and we are both very excited as the countdown continues,” said Angela Greer. Angela and her husband, Lieutenant-Commander (Ret’d) Michael Greer, plan to take their 2022 Honda CRF300L Rally motorcycles worldwide to support their newly-created Twonie Project, a charitable initiative to benefit disadvantaged children. The initiative will see the couple ride around the world while supporting organizations, including Child Impact International, a non-profit organization committed to making a difference in the lives of children and people in poverty.  The pair has been avidly riding motorcyclists for decades. “For the next ten years, we will be travelers,” Michael said. “That is much different than being a tourist because we will be interacting with people, experiencing their culture first-hand and having all sorts of adventures.” The inspiration for the Twonie Project came when Michael visited a few orphanages in Mexico and Bolivia. The state of dis-repair in these orphanages prompted the couple to spend their retirement years helping. They will cover their costs through Michael’s pension and retirement savings so that all the money they raise goes toward the Project. “We are well aware every moment isn’t going to be a smooth ride and there is some element of danger, but we will have a great adventure to look back on,” Michael said. Michael joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1999 and retired this February as a Canadian Submarine Force HQ member in Esquimalt. “I served around...

DND — March 8 is International Women’s Day! To celebrate, all Defence Team members, nation-wide, are encouraged to attend national and local events of their choosing.Discussion Panel: Equity, Leadership, and the Impact of Grassroots Efforts in Defence To mark International Women’s Day, the Defence Champion for Women will host a hybrid, in-person / virtual discussion panel, on women’s grassroots efforts and contributions to the Defence Team. Defence Team members can join from anywhere in Canada via Microsoft Teams. Panelists include diverse military and civilian members of various ranks and positions, who are recognized as leaders in their communities and who make a difference to the Defence Team. Date: March 8, 2023Time: 1100-1200 ESTLocation: Virtual (Microsoft Stream) and in-person at the Carling Campus Building 5 RotundaModerator: Defence Champion for Women,  Major-General Bourgon, CMM, MSC, CD Panelists: • Emma Moon, Human Systems Integration specialist promoting inclusive equipment• Captain Stephanie Clubine, Edmonton DWAO Military Co-Chair• Lieutenant Dorin Adenekan, Humanitarian, and mental health advocate• Master Corporal Emily Reiman, Aerospace Control Operator at 4 Wing Cold LakeNational Virtual Event: Speed Mentoring Sign up online for this year’s virtual speed mentoring event! Defence Team members can join from anywhere in Canada via Microsoft Teams. Date: March 8, 2023Time: 1300-1445 ESTLocation: Virtual (Microsoft Teams)More information is available on the Defence Team Intranet (accessible only on the National Defence network) and the event website: International Women’s Day 2023, Events for the Defence Team at canada.ca or bit.ly/3y4JyoE

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Badminton and squash athletes from CFB Esquimalt have added to Esquimalt’s impressive list of 2023 Canada West regional sports titles. The Esquimalt Tritons teams recently claimed three Canada West badminton and two squash gold medals in regional tournaments held concurrently at the Naden Athletic Centre, Feb. 20-24. Both events were the first Canada West tournaments for badminton and squash since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly three years ago. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="595"] CFB Esquimalt Tritons squash and badminton team members pose together. Way to go teams![/caption]   Badminton titles Tritons players captured three of eight badminton titles in their Canada West regional tournament, which included 45 competitors. The Tritons’ winners included Sailor Third Class (S3) Van Nyugen of the Canadian Submarine Force and Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A/Slt) Roger Quach of Naval Fleet School (Pacific). S3 Nyugen won the Open Doubles title by defeating Edmonton 21:12, while A/Slt Quach scored a 21:17. S3 Nyugen also claimed the tournament’s Open Singles Championship with a 21:11, 21:19 victory over his doubles partner, A/SLt Quach. In the Masters Singles championship, Sailor First Class (S1) Jian Hua Guo defeated Edmonton’s Sergeant (Sgt) William Woods 21:10, 21:9. Lieutenant (Navy) Mikail Uddin, Badminton Team Captain and Base Orderly Room Officer in Charge, praised all winners and competitors for their sportsmanship, dedication to practice and hard work. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="595"] CFB Tritons Badminton team members: CPO2 Nathan Allen, Pte Yu Lie, SLt Roger Quach, S1 Jason Chan, S3 Van Nguyen, S1 Jian Hua Guo, Lt(N) Alex Uddin[/caption] Squash titles Esquimalt’s two squash victories were won by Chief Petty Officer First Class (CPO1) Timothy King and Captain (Capt) Min Suk (Tony) Kim of 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron. CPO1 King faced Corporal Jason Sheardown from CFB Winnipeg, while Capt Kim faced Capt McIntosh from Cold...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — While the world’s climate clock counts down the time left to limit global warming, Elin Kelsey, PhD, refutes this fear-based hyperbole. Kelsey, a science and environmental scholar, writer and public speaker, is far from a climate change denier but says the problem-oriented approach to the environmental crisis is all wrong. “Climate doomism is a bigger threat than climate change denial,” Kelsey says. “Many already believe it’s too late to fix the problem; but as the eminent climate scientist Dr Michael Mann says, it isn’t. Our climate crisis is also a crisis of hope.” That was the crux of Kelsey’s argument in her presentation for the MARPAC Health & Wellness Strategy (MHWS) on Feb. 21, titled Climate Emotions and Evidence-Based Hope. Kelsey is the author of Hope Matters: Why Changing the Way We Think is Critical for Solving the Environmental Crisis (Greystone Books 2020) and a co-creator of #OceanOptimism, a Twitter campaign to crowd-source marine conservation solutions that has reached over 100 million shares since its launch in 2014. Kelsey is alarmed with the ever-increasingly negative narrative about the plight of planet Earth. “If you tell people climate change is unstoppable, they will disengage from the problem,” she says. “These beliefs not only impact our emotions but our ability to deal with this critical issue at a critical time.” All is not lost, says Kelsey, while pointing to countless evidence-based examples of efforts to reverse the destruction trend. For example, sea otters, nearly wiped out on B.C.’s coast by the 19th century, are experiencing a recovery in populations. “The key to not feeling discouraged is charting evidence-based progress in real time,” she says. “If you know what has changed, you can have a more empowered attitude.” Kelsey says mass media news outlets and social media cause people to...

[caption id="attachment_32071" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) divers retrieve unexploded ordnance from the site of HMCS Thiepval sinking.[/caption] Dear Lookout Editor, I read your “From the Archives’ feature on HMCS Thiepval, written by Clare Sharpe in Lookout Vol 68, #5, with great interest. The history of this intrepid HMC ship is storied and worth revisiting time and again as it remains a prominent part of our West Coast military history. Some may not know the propeller from the ill-fated Stuart-MacLaren expedition, recovered by HMCS Thiepval, is on display on the bottom floor of the Naden Wardroom. Additionally, as HMCS Thiepval foundered on that uncharted rock in what is now aptly named Thiepval Channel in the Broken Group, her crew salvaged her deck gun onto what is now also aptly named Turret Island and can be viewed on display in front of the Ucluelet town hall. Why do I have such an interest in this particular shipwreck, you might ask? Well, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out an omission in Clare’s otherwise excellent recounting of Thiepval’s story. In 2012, the wreck of the Thiepval was taken on the charge of the Department of National Defence as an “Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Legacy Site”. This classification is given to former DND/CAF-owned establishments on which there are still explosive remnants of war - usually decommissioned ranges and proving grounds. Naturally, DND takes these sites to remediate them before returning them to local governments. As Thiepval sank in 1930 whilst on patrol (as Clare points out, most likely to dissuade smugglers), she sank with a whole load of ammunition. Since the wreck is sufficiently remote, this wasn’t an issue until 2012, when the wreck became encompassed in the Pacific Rim National Park. The wreck came under additional scrutiny in 2016 when it became a popular recreational diving site, and further pressure was subsequently applied to DND to clean up the site. Normally, DND contracts commercial UXO remediation companies to do this sort of work, but due to the complex nature of this particular task,...

[caption id="attachment_32063" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Nancy Prevost-Maurice, an Education Specialist with Royal Roads University, studies a copy of the institution’s View Book 2022-23.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — More than 70 community organizations and businesses plotted a course for fun and good health at the MARPAC Health and Wellness Expo on March 2.    The Expo made its return to the Naden Athletic Centre after a three-year absence due to the health and safety precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The excitement was visible with attendees stretching down to Ontario Drive in hopes of being one of the first 400 visitors to receive free food vouchers and a chance to win large door prizes. Over 1,000 military and DND civilian employees attended this year’s event. It featured interactive display booths by local non-profits and businesses representing health and wellness, recreation, sports, fitness, outdoor activities, hobbies, crafts, Base clubs and more.  A popular feature of the Expo were door prizes offered up by vendors including tools, speakers, massages, gift cards and gift baskets, coffee makers, and more! Free food samples were also made available to patrons with giveaways and prizes available at the booths, too. Food trucks, Greek on the Street and Kattia’s Kitchen satiated patron appetites and quenched their thirst with complimentary beverages. Serious Coffee was also on-site offering free coffee and tea to all attending. Sunshine Coast Health Centre and Royal Roads University were the title sponsors of this year’s event. WestJet airlines also provided the Defence community with a prize draw for a free trip to any of its destinations in Canada. Now that the Health and Wellness Expo is complete, the Lookout and PSP Special Events teams are ramping up for the Ship-to-Shore Industrial Tradeshow scheduled for Aug. 1. [caption id="attachment_32062" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sawyer Brock and Brennan Wilson, Milwaukee Tools Account Managers, get ready for a duel with their high torque impact wrenches. Photos by Peter Mallett, Lookout.[/caption]

Lt(N) Mikail Uddin, Base Orderly Room OIC — Through the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)’s initiative to effect positive change, a space is available for all personnel to leverage their opinion and create a difference. The Defence Visible Minority Advisory Group (DVMAG) was created to assist Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) in identifying and addressing issues that impact people of various ethnic groups within the Formation. “If the goal is meaningful change, we need all of you to be engaged,” said Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) Alan Ng, Headquarters Commanding Officer, Canadian Submarine Force, and a member of the DVMAG Committee. The DVMAG meets every month. The program aims are two-fold: identifying barriers to employment equity and diversity, and advising the Department of National Defence and CAF leadership on advancing strategies on recruitment, retention and training. The group works on several initiatives, including outreach and recruiting activities involving visible minority communities. Petty Officer First Class Kanwar Nijjer, Military Co-chair for DVMAG, and Mr. Andrew Au, Civilian Co-Chair, invite the Defence community to attend a virtual session on March 16 from 10–11:30 a.m. PST, dedicated to the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Dr. Gunderson will speak about ‘micro-interventions’ – ways of challenging racism and bias at the moment as micro-aggressions appear. Please direct inquiries to the DVMAG+ account at p-esq.dvmag@forces.gc.ca.

[caption id="attachment_32051" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Radar, the Esquimalt Military and Family Resource Centre’s (MFRC) mascot[/caption] Kate Bandura, Lookout Editor — Radar, the Esquimalt Military and Family Resource Centre’s (MFRC) mascot, looks forward to a good boogie woogie with you! On March 11, all military and veteran-connected families are invited to celebrate families of all kinds and honour military-connected children at the ‘We Are Family’ dance, hosted by the Esquimalt MFRC. “This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the military-connected community, a chance to have fun and meet other families,” said Jackie Carle, Esquimalt MFRC Executive Director. “It is about families of all types having fun together and being recognized for their support.” She said the dance is about celebrating family in all its forms. The evening will include disco dance lessons, prizes, activities, a hot and cold buffet, and a photo booth. Carle said this is not a fundraising but rather a ‘friend-raising’ event, adding that Lisa Church, Community Engagement Manager, and the MFRC Community Engagement team, designed this dance to make everyone feel welcome. “Our amazing group of Community Engagement volunteers will be there to ensure everyone is well-cared for and has a great time,” she said. The cost is $38 per adult, while children can attend for free. Registration is online at cfmws.ca/esquimalt/events-activities/events/mfrc-we-are-family-dance. Disco attire is encouraged!

[caption id="attachment_32047" align="aligncenter" width="595"] “My mantra for this year’s race is: My Race, My Pace” Chief Petty Officer First Class Stan Budden, Navy Run Ambassador and Unit Chief of Naval Fleet School (Pacific).[/caption]   Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Being named the 2023 Navy Run Ambassador has given Chief Petty Officer First Class (CPO1) Stan Budden the cause to reflect on his miraculous journey. Each June, the Navy Run is a marquee event on the CFB Esquimalt social calendar that sees hundreds of military and civilian runners take to Esquimalt roadways. CPO1 Budden meets the basic criteria for Navy Run Ambassador: a dedicated military member (Unit Chief of Naval Fleet School [Pacific]), a father of three, and an avid recreational runner who enjoys a healthy lifestyle. But there is much more to CPO1 Budden than meets the eye, explains Laurel Koslowski, Navy Run Race Director and Acting Manager of Community Recreation at Personnel Support Programs (PSP). “His journey to become an avid runner and his lifestyle changes to promote his own health and the health of others has been inspiring to many,” Koslowski says. “We look forward to running with him and others who may be beginning their journey this year.” CPO1 Budden says he’s delighted with the prospects of being a liaison with the running community, military community, and the greater community of Victoria. After all, the sport has changed his life. A road to wellness Chief Budden’s physical transformation began five years ago. “I had been unhealthy for much of my adult life; I eventually realized time has come to do something about it,” CPO1 Budden says. When he flips through photos of himself from 2018 and earlier, he admits recognizing himself is hard. He has lost close to 100 pounds since then. “Making a journey like this is not simply about weight loss,” he cautions. “[Focusing on weight loss] trivializes the full scope of my transformation.” His change to wellness only happened with help from his Chain of Command...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Twenty seven candidates have completed a battery of testing at Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU(P)) to determine if they have what it takes to become Clearance Divers. The results are expected within the next three months. “Testing is very physically and psychologically demanding because when they are physically and mentally stressed, we can truly see what they are made of and if they have what it takes to be a Clearance Diver,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Mike Allport, Training Officer at FDU(P) and Clearance Diver Assessment Centre (CDAC) OIC. The military members from bases across Canada were rigorously tested at CDAC in Colwood earlier this month. The FDU(P) holds an annual assessment to create new Clearance Divers. “It is essentially an arduous job interview,” Lt(N) Allport said. The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Clearance Divers belong to a highly trained diving and explosive ordnance disposal specialist trade. Clearance Divers provide the RCN and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with specialist warfare capabilities, domestically and internationally. Clearance Diver capabilities include: locating, identifying and neutralizing underwater mine threats; explosive ordnance disposal of surface and sub-surface conventional unexploded ordnance or Improvised Explosive Devices (IED); and underwater force protection components for the CAF and other government agencies. The CDAC is competitive; in previous years, it was open only to Ship’s Divers, Port Inspection Divers, Search and Rescue Technician (SARTECH) divers, or Combat Divers. Now, all non-commissioned members in all three branches who meet the eligibility criteria can apply. The CDAC team of assessors included 11 from the Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) and two from the Department of National Defence Experimental Diving & Undersea Group (EDUG) in Toronto. The candidates were divided into two serials; the first group was tested from Feb. 4-9 and the second from Feb. 11-19. If you are interested in...

[caption id="attachment_32037" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Naval Reservists dock their four RHIBs for a break in the action on Bowen Island, at the Western Region Small Boat Exercise in Vancouver on Feb. 11.[/caption] Lt(N) John Foster, PAO, NAVRES Western Region; with contributions from Lt(N) Donald Den, PAO, HMCS Malahat — Put 100 Naval Reservists from four provinces together to accomplish a training mission, and you will get enormous energy and enthusiasm. A two-day small-boat exercise (SBEX) in Vancouver brought together more than 100 sailors and five boats from seven Naval Reserve Divisions (NRDs) on Feb. 11-12, including HMCS Chippawa (Winnipeg), Discovery (Vancouver), Malahat (Victoria), Nonsuch (Edmonton), Queen (Regina), Tecumseh (Calgary), and Unicorn (Saskatoon). The exercise also included partners from the Maritime Pacific Fleet Naval Intelligence. Captain (Navy) Janet McDougall, NAVRES Western Regional Captain, said the SBEX tested the sailors’ ability to operate in various maritime scenarios. “They are excited to be here, they are excited to practice their trade and meet Naval Reservists from other units,” she said. The exercise involved maritime drug interdiction operations, navigation, boat handling (including towing vessels), intelligence gathering, and communication. One of the exercise’s primary goals was to evaluate the sailors’ ability to work effectively in small boats. Sailors worked on land from HMCS Discovery in an Operations environment and in teams on the water aboard four Rigid Hull-Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) (with the fifth RHIB acting as opposing force) to achieve the scenario objectives. Each team was responsible for different aspects of the exercise. They were tasked with navigating through a series of challenging scenarios, including pursuing and boarding suspicious vessels. The team expanded the Area of Operations to Howe Sound. On land and on water, multiple senior Non-Commissioned Members and Officers instructed junior sailors, consistently giving feedback and providing guidance in correctly approaching and handling each scenario. Sailor Third Class (S3) Alexandra Schurtenberger, a Naval Combat Information Operator (NCIO) from HMCS Tecumseh, said she had a great time during the SBEX. “I got to apply everything I learned....

[caption id="attachment_32032" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan, the CAF’s Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture, speaks to members during a town hall at CFB Halifax on Jan 27. Photo: Corporal Sarina Kuzma.[/caption] Ryan Melanson, Trident Staff — The command team for the group tasked with leading the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) cultural transformation was recently in Halifax for workshops, group discussions and town halls with sailors and other local CAF members, while also highlighting current initiatives and work that has taken place over the last two years. The Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC) organization was stood up in April 2021. Under the leadership of Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan, CPCC has been working since then to understand the factors that drive and shape CAF culture, and the work needed to modernize the institution. News coverage may focus on instances of inappropriate sexual behaviour or harassment and how the CAF is changing its response to those situations, but LGen Carignan explained CPCC’s work is all encompassing and relevant to all CAF members. “A key message for all is that culture is every one of us, and one of the biggest ways our culture impacts us is simply how people treat each other every day,” she said. The CPCC organization is unique, she added, because of its sole focus on culture, taking work that was once happening piecemeal across Department of National Defence and steering it all under one umbrella. The group’s early work keyed on extensive research and consultation, and those efforts will be ongoing. For instance, the recent sessions in Halifax explored differences in identity for members in various roles, and how that shapes both individual careers and the larger CAF culture. But even with the continuing nature of the work, LGen Carignan noted many initiatives and changes have already been established...