Excelsior Winter 2023 edition

Newsletter of the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve

Message from the Director

Colonel Maryse Simard

After a long hiatus, we are pleased to resume the publication of Excelsior. The realities of the pandemic placed additional demands on all of us, resulting in a requirement to pause our beloved newsletter. However, we’re back, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to resume showcasing the wonderful stories and accomplishments of our RCAF Reserve members.

The year 2022 saw the long awaited reopening of in-person activities. This reinstated our ability, as leadership of the RCAF Reserve, to travel to many wings and meet you in person. It was a long overdue opportunity and privilege to share some of the initiatives we are working on to modernize our system with you. We heard many of your concerns and this helped prioritize our initiatives, making every effort more personalized and meaningful. We returned to our offices with a renewed resolve to find solutions to the friction points and dissatisfiers.

Some important issues flagged are regarding certain benefits that Reserve personnel are not entitled or receive a lower rate and the continued disparity with annual leave when Defence Priorities direct harmonization of compensation and benefits between the Regular and Reserve forces. To date, the scarcity of resources has made it challenging for the Chief of Military Personnel to tackle many of these issues. As such, we are exploring ways where we can be of assistance.

We genuinely appreciated your candour and courage in sharing situational specifics when the system or its processes did not function properly for you. We realize this isn’t always easy, but we learned so much and for that, we thank you.

So far, we have travelled to 12 locations but there are still a few wings and squadrons we want to visit. While each location presents a very different set of challenges in terms of recruiting and retention, it became evident that we need to adapt our programs to better reach the potential workforce in your specific areas and build-in more flexibility.

The D Air Res team is happy to work with all local recruiters to augment their efforts. We are actively advertising on social media and gaming platforms to reach key audiences, we are working with CMP to improve the enrolment process. We are streamlining administrative processes to expedite approval and we have drafted a list of over 100 possible areas where we can find efficiencies, remove barriers, and increase retention. We start the year 2023 more determined than ever to continue our efforts towards the reconstitution of our workforce.

I look forward to meeting all of you in person.

Your CWO wants to hear from you!

Chief Warrant Officer Jim McKenzie, RCAF Reserve Chief Warrant Officer

As I sit here putting pen to paper there are numerous topics that a CWO normally brings to this type of article. The usual of course is dress, deportment and the general well-being of all members within our organization. Rather than the expected norm, I’d like to shift gears a bit, open up the lines of communication even more, and invite you to tell me how you feel about any concerns in these areas facing you today.

I’ll admit it, on 6 Sep 2022 I came to work not quite knowing what to expect. That was, of course, the day the long-anticipated changes in Chapter 2 came into effect in our Dress Manual. Looking around, I noticed some members that day choosing not to pin their hair back as they had before. Others were wearing a few more piercings than usual. I heard of some showing up on a course with vivid blue hair. In spite of it all, the sun would keep coming up in the east and setting in the west…

As it goes, everyone that day had an opinion about the new regulations. Some were in favour, some were not. This isn’t unexpected, nor is it a bad thing. The most important part of these changes is that they allow us to have important, ongoing discussions about the power of inclusiveness and the importance of doing away with outdated traditions that are creating unnecessary barriers in our organization.

That said, as we travelled to the numerous Wings prior to the Christmas break, this topic never came up. Rather, we heard members ask how a Class A member can be employed more full-time (greater than 180 days) allowing them to help with the depleted numbers of some of the Reg Force occupations, and we heard subsequent concerns about extending benefits and entitlements for Reservists. In short, we saw a genuine desire to serve, and be of service, at a time of unprecedented need, along with shared desire to see the RCAF Reserve be an employer of choice.

I honestly believe that the future of the RCAF Reserve is bright. BGen Thibert, Col Simard and myself continuously hear of the amazing work you all accomplish regardless of the challenges you face in these uncertain times. We couldn’t be more proud, and we reaffirm our commitment to do whatever we can to enable you to serve with pride and with the support you deserve.

So, what I’m asking from all of you is to share your opinions with me on how this or any other topics or concerns you may have in which I can help you address as we move forward. Much like rcafé gives everyone the opportunity to engage directly with senior members of their Leadership teams about their concerns, I too offer you this same opportunity by emailing me directly. We are a team, and I want to hear what you have to say.

I want to personally thank you for all you continue to do and look forward to addressing any concerns you may have.

Saluting 70 years of service: RCAF Reservists bid farewell to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

Colonel Maryse Simard, Director Air Reserve

Last September, roughly 100 Canadian Armed Forces members, including five RCAF Reservists, boarded a CC-150 Polaris bound for London as a Canadian military delegation selected to honour the life of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The RCAF Reserve was one of 16 units chosen to represent the CAF at the London event, joining thousands of Armed Forces personnel from the Commonwealth of Nations.

I had the privilege of representing the RCAF Reserve during the event and wanted to take a moment to share some highlights from this remarkable experience.

Operation LONDON BRIDGE was formally initiated on 8 September, 2022 following the sombre announcement out of Buckingham Palace confirming the passing of our Commander-in-Chief. Four days later, we set out for London.

In the still of night on 15 September 2022, the heart of England came to life as marching bands, cavalries, and marching troops gathered in London to run through preparations for what would be a historic funeral procession just a few days later. Journalists from across the globe lined the streets to get a first glimpse of the events to come and better prepare for the worldwide broadcast.

The dress rehearsal was my first chance to fully appreciate the magnitude of the event we would be part of. Between bustling streets, a queue of mourners lined up 24 hours a day to pay their final respects to the Queen, spotlights illuminating most of the path, and the electricity in the air blending night and day, the experience was simply surreal.

“Do not let your mind wander as you will lose the step,” we were warned.

On Monday, 19 September, I found my assigned place in Westminster Abbey alongside a small Armed Forces delegation invited to attend the State Funeral. Surrounded by members of royalty from around the world, just metres from Her Majesty’s coffin adorned with her crown, orb and sceptre, I quietly and humbly joined in the service, hummed the solemn hymns and reflected on the moment and its meaning. Shortly after, we exited from the side door and formed-up with the rest of the military contingent for the 2.5 km march ahead under the world’s watchful eye. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin was carefully carried out of the Abbey and despite one million mourners lining the streets, not a word was uttered. Only the thundering of footsteps to the beat of Beethoven’s Funeral March echoed.

The connection between military heritage and the Crown is undeniable, and to have the opportunity to be a small part of remembering Her Majesty’s 70-year legacy of service was an incredible honour. I can confidently speak for every RCAF Reserve member in attendance when I say it is truly an experience we will never forget.

Profile: Meet Captain Ashley Gaudet, Air Cadet Gliding Program Standards Officer, 2 Canadian Air Division

Capt Ashley Gaudet has been a Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) officer since the age of 18, a career she decided to pursue after earning her glider and private pilot licenses as a member of 60 Confederation Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Charlottetown, P.E.I. In addition to obtaining her glider instructor rating, Capt Gaudet spent many years working with cattle as a Veterinary Technician with a specialty in field clinical practice specific to Production Animal Medicine, a certification that she is the only veterinary technician in Canada to hold. Capt Gaudet has been working with the Canadian Armed Forces in Winnipeg full time on Class B since 2020 with Regional Cadet Support Unit Northwest, and most recently with 2 Canadian Air Division overseeing the Air Cadet Gliding Program Standards and Evaluation Team.

At the heart of 2 Canadian Air Division (2 CAD) you’ll find the Air Operations and Training (AOT) section, responsible for the development and maintenance of training standards for all RCAF Aircrew trades and those of the Air Cadet Gliding Program (ACGP).

As the only Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) Officer at 2 CAD, AOT is where you’ll find me, working as a staff officer for the Air Cadet Gliding Program Standards and Evaluation Team. Here I ensure standardization of the ACGP, its flying training, procedures and aircrew, while also providing oversight regarding Operational Airworthiness, though I’m fully integrated into the AOT team and am constantly given the opportunity to work with my Regular Force colleagues and contribute to the larger 2 CAD mission. At 2 CAD, I never feel like I’m as just a CIC officer, or just a glider instructor within our team. I hold some of the same qualifications as other members on our team, speak the same instructional language, and have the same fundamental understanding of the orders and direction that govern our training system.

My past civilian experience and extensive experience within the ACGP allow me to add value to our team and provide a unique perspective to training that others might not be able to provide. Further, my chain of command is supportive of me adding to my toolbox whenever possible and have even nominated me for various training and PD opportunities that I would not have otherwise had the opportunity to pursue while working within the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers (CJCR) formation. These experiences will allow me to better contribute within our section while employed at 2 CAD and will set me up to better serve the entire Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS) organization when I return to the CJCR formation.

Honours and awards

A major award for Major Mercer

Maj Dwayne Mercer CD, was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Nova Scotia) at a ceremony held at the Nova Scotia Legislature on 9 January 2023. During the ceremony Maj Mercer was recognized for his participation in the recovery efforts of victims of Swiss Air Flight 111 in September 1998 and the rescue mission for survivors and victims of the cargo ship Leader L which sank 400 miles northeast of Bermuda in March 2000, while he was serving with the HMCS Preserver air detachment.

CWO Craig Frost receives MMM

It is with great excitement that the RCAF Reserves wish to congratulate CWO Craig Frost for being appointed to the 73rd list of the Order of Military Merit in the Member category. This appointment only adds to the distinguished career CWO Frost continues to have.    

Request for extension of service beyond Compulsory Retirement Age process

Did you know that if you are approaching Compulsory Retirement Age (CRA) 60 that you can ask for a five-year extension?

You can find all the details and the form to submit your request in the Reserve instruction 03/17
(accessible only on the National Defence network).

Food for learning

8 Air Reserve Flight makes a difference. Avr Soule, Cpl Hogeboom and MWO Simms help to prepare breakfast for children at Trent River Public School. The members are a part of a team from 8 Air Reserve Flight from Canadian Forces Base Trenton, who have volunteered their time, once a week, to help provide food to children in need of a supplement to their daily nutritional intake, as part of the Food for Learning Program.