New leadership team touches down at 3 CDSG
July 10, 2023 - Tim Bryant, Western Sentinel
The leadership team at 3rd Canadian Division Support Group (3 CDSG) has undergone a complete makeover.
On June 29, both Brigadier‑General Robert McBride and Chief Warrant Officer Patrice Chartrand bid adieu to their roles as commander and group sergeant‑major, respectively, and welcomed their replacements to Edmonton in a joint Change of Command and Change of Appointment ceremony.
Earlier in the day, BGen McBride was also promoted from his previous rank of colonel.
In his remarks, BGen McBride spoke about the challenges that come with commanding a formation that supports a division as vast and diverse as 3rd Canadian Division (3 Cdn Div).
“I’ve often reflected through my time here and stated that 3 CDSG is a formation unlike any other in the Canadian Army, and most likely any other in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF),” he said, citing the fact the division covers about half of Canada from east to west and contains 75 per cent of the land training area in the CAF.
He also referenced all the moving parts involved in commanding 3 CDSG, and how they all need to come together to successfully meet the goals set for it.
“In order for 3 CDSG to function, there needs to be a level of trust, understanding of the commander’s intent and risk acceptance at many levels to ensure that the institutional support requirements of not only the 3rd Canadian Division, but in many cases the Canadian Army and other environments are fully supported,” BGen McBride said.
Before departing for his new role as the Deputy Commanding General – Operations with the 11th Airborne Division at the Joint Base Elmendorf‑Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, BGen McBride had welcoming words for his successor, Colonel Robbin Dove.
“I have no doubt you will enjoy the job just as much as we did,” he said. “I look forward to seeing how the organization will evolve both under your leadership and guidance.”
Col Dove comes into his new role following a career that started with the 12e Regiment blindé du Canada and has included stops at the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps School, the Combat Training School and the 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas.
“I certainly appreciate the trust that the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps has placed in me, and I look forward to living the challenges of providing institutional support to nurture and move the yardsticks forward on a respectful and inclusive workplace for all members of the defence team,” he said.
Prior to signing the scrolls to formally take command, Col Dove had spent time meeting with BGen McBride and CWO Chartrand and visiting with people around the base and the wider community, to get a better grasp of what he was getting himself into.
“It’s been really evident in these past four days of speaking to folks across the base and across the community what a great job they have done supporting and ensuring operational and real life support for the Canadian Forces members and their families,” he said. “CWO Drolet and I are fully cognizant that we have some pretty big shoes to fill. We are looking forward to that opportunity.”
CWO Chartrand is departing 3 CDSG after two years to head to Montréal, where he will take over as the 2 Cdn Div Sergeant‑Major.
Caption
(Back row, L-R) Chief Warrant Officers Patrice Chartrand, outgoing 3rd Canadian Division Support Group (3 CDSG) Sergeant‑Major; Wayne Bantock, 3rd Canadian Division Sergeant‑Major; and Marc Drolet, incoming 3 CDSG Sergeant‑Major, accompany their commanders for the 3 CDSG change of command ceremony.
(Front row, L-R) Brigadier General Robert McBride, outgoing Commander 3 CDSG; BGen Steven Graham, Commander 3rd Canadian Division; and Colonel Robbin Dove, incoming Commander 3 CDSG.
The change of command ceremony took place at the Edmonton Garrison Officers’ Mess at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton on June 29.
Photo by MCpl Paul McCahon, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Imaging
Caption
Colonel Robbin Dove, Commander 3rd Canadian Division Support Group (3 CDSG), speaks to the assembled audience after assuming command during the 3 CDSG change of command ceremony at the Edmonton Garrison Officers’ Mess at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton on June 29.
Photo by MCpl Paul McCahon, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Imaging
“These past two years, it has been absolutely terrific,” he said, adding he highly encourages everyone to work within a CDSG if the opportunity presents itself.
CWO Chartrand came to 3 CDSG after a career spent mostly within 2 Cdn Div. As such, he didn’t quite know what to expect moving to 3 Cdn Div and Western Canada.
“I was very impressed by the strength of capacity, but also the diverse composition of its workforce,” he said.
Departing 3 CDSG and no longer being able to work directly with BGen McBride did add a slightly somber tone to CWO Chartrand’s remarks.
“It’s a huge privilege for me to have been his fire team partner for the last few years,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
Taking over as 3 CDSG sergeant‑major is CWO Marc Drolet. CWO Drolet has experienced what 3 CDSG does thanks to his most recent posting as the 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) sergeant‑major. Previously he has served with 2 CER in Petawawa, Ont., 5e Régiment du géniede combat at 2 CDSB Valcartier, Que., and the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre at 3 Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Detachment Wainwright, among other postings.
“I would like to take this moment to extend my gratitude to the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Engineer Corps for appointing me for the position of 3 CDSG Sergeant-Major,” he said. “It's an honour to have been chosen and I'm humbled by the responsibility placed upon me.”
Caption
Newly appointed 3rd Canadian Division Support Group (3 CDSG) Sergeant‑Major Chief Warrant Officer Marc Drolet addresses the crowd after taking over the role at the 3 CDSG change of appointment ceremony at the Edmonton Garrison Officers’ Mess at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton on June 29.
Photo by MCpl Paul McCahon, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Imaging
Caption
(L-R) Chief Warrant Officer Patrice Chartrand, outgoing 3rd Canadian Division Support Group (3 CDSG) Sergeant‑Major; Brigadier‑General Robert McBride, Commander 3 CDSG; CWO Marc Drolet, incoming 3 CDSG Sergeant‑Major, pause for a photo during the 3 CDSG Sergeant‑Major change of appointment ceremony held in the Edmonton Garrison Officers’ Mess at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton on June 29.
Photo by MCpl Paul McCahon, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Imaging