Regimental display project vital to strengthening unit identity
November 12, 2019 - Maj Mike Graver, North Saskatchewan Regiment
A Reserve unit in the Canadian Armed Forces faces many challenges.
One could argue which are the most critical, but the two at the forefront that face the Primary Reserve Force are recruiting and retention. These two contentious issues are frequently on the minds of Reserve unit leadership, whose responsibility it is to come up new and creative ways to increase both factors.
Recently, the North Saskatchewan Regiment (N Sask R), an infantry Reserve unit part of 38 Canadian Brigade Group based in Saskatoon, Sask., undertook an update to their regimental displays. Unit leadership took a hard look at developing new ways of forging increased interest, pride and dedication to the unit, and felt strengthening unit identity could be one important step in reaching these goals. The Command Team also felt having and nurturing a strong unit identity, grounded in unit pride and a strong sense of connection, would aid in recruiting and retention.
Caption
The North Saskatchewan Regiment’s Colours on display.
Photo supplied
For many years the N Sask R unit Colours, an important part of unit history and identity, were stabled in the Senior Ranks Mess on the second floor of the Hugh Cairns VC Armoury at 930 Idylwyld Dr. N. in Saskatoon. This location, although safe and secure, unintentionally excluded a large portion of the unit—specifically those below the rank of Sergeant—from seeing the Colours.
The Colours, a flag emblazoned by design with historic battle honours bestowed upon the unit, was originally intended to be carried into battle as a rallying cry and a control measure to keep troops in formation and aligned with their assigned unit.
Unit leadership believed adopting a more central and accessible location for the unit Colours would highlight the importance of past battle honours and forge increased unit pride.
A plan for a regimental display project was approved by the N Sask R Commanding Officer and put into action earlier this year. The project included three phases. Phase 1 was the redesign and construction of the Regimental Colours Cabinet and installation of a Regimental Banner on the parade square. Phase 2 was the design and construction of the Garrison Wall of Honour. Phase 3 will be the redesign and construction of new Regimental Collection Displays.
Caption
The North Saskatchewan Regiment's Wall of Honour on display.
Photo supplied.
The Regimental Colours Cabinet was designed to highlight the N Sask R’s many battle honours, which are emblazoned on the Colours themselves. The new cabinet features engraved battle honours along the sides of the cabinets to mirror the Colours themselves, further drawing attention to the unit’s rich military history and efforts in combat. The Colours Cabinet was unveiled on Sept. 8, with unit Honorary Colonel Mr. David Dube in attendance.
The Wall of Honour was designed to honour those members of the Regiment who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country since the unit was redesignated from the Saskatoon Light Infantry and Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers to the North Saskatchewan Regiment on April 11, 1958. The Wall of Honour was unveiled on Nov. 9, with many friends and family of the fallen in attendance.
Phase 3 of the project has begun and the unit hopes to unveil the newly displayed Regimental Collection in the spring of 2020.
This project has not only increased awareness within the unit of its own vast military contributions, but has instilled a newfound sense of Regimental pride among its ranks. It has put the Regimental colours front and centre in the unit lines, once again offering a rallying cry to its newest soldiers providing them with a symbol to follow and be proud of.