Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) and Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) Instructors Presented With New Qualification Badge

June 10, 2022 - Defence Stories

On May 03 2022, Civil-Military Cooperation and Psychological Operations Branch Major Andrew Straatsma and Sergeants Major Etienne Cottenoir presented the CAF's CIMIC & PSYOPS instructors with the new qualification badges at the Peace Support Training Centre (PSTC), CFB Kingston.

Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) is a military capability that supports the commander’s mission by establishing and maintaining essential coordination and cooperation between the military force and civil actors, enhancing situational awareness in the area of operations.

The new qualification badge, shown below, is a scroll with a bayonet superimposed.

The scroll represents communication and learning, both of which are pivotal to achieving CIMIC’s three core functions: liaison, coordinating support to the force, and coordinating support to the civil environment.

The bayonet indicates that the aim is to accomplish, maintain or defend the military objective.

It serves as a reminder that while CIMIC personnel can support the coordination of humanitarian assistance, domestically and internationally, its primary goal is to support the commander’s mission.

Canadian Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) are planned activities using methods of communication and other means directed at approved audiences to influence perceptions, attitudes and behaviour, affecting the achievement of political and military objectives.

Historically Canadians have excelled in manoeuvre warfare.  Similarly, we are adept in cognitive warfare.

The goal is to win battles without firing a shot - to weaken the will of the enemy, to bolster the support of allies, and convince the undecided that our aim is true.

Recent geopolitical events have proven that the cognitive plane is vital ground across the spectrum of conflict. The Information Environment (IE) is a front that cannot be overlooked. Exploiting tactical success has strategic consequences. Inability to mitigate hostile attempts to misinform are equally vital.

The new qualification badge shown below, is the Greek letter Psi, the penultimate letter of the Greek alphabet, which represents the academic field of psychology, and our adherence to proven cognitive science.

Also superimposed on the Psi is the bayonet. Again, it serves as a reminder that the primary goal is to support the commander’s mission.

The new qualification badges are an additional step in recognizing the importance of the tremendous skillsets that CIMIC & PSYOPS personnel bring to bear for commanders in CAF operations.

Training in these capabilities, as well as Information Operations and United Nations Military Observation, are provided at PSTC in Kingston, ON.

For more information visit the PSTC website.