The Profession of Arms in Profile – The Royal Canadian Logistics Service
March 15, 2021 - Defence Stories
In Both Service and Leadership, Second to None
The most frustrating aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic are often the most subtle. Whether it’s buying food or basic errands, social distancing and fractured supply chains have complicated even the simplest tasks of everyday life.
Now imagine you’re responsible for those tasks – not just for your family, but for hundreds or thousands of people. Add international borders to the mix – borders which have been shut tight as nations try to combat the effects of the pandemic. And imagine that even the slightest shortfall could have enormous consequences – not only for you or your family, but your brothers and sisters in the profession of arms.
Imagine all of that, and you’ll have an accurate picture of the challenge the Royal Canadian Logistics Service (RCLS) has been facing since the pandemic began last year. In spite of these challenges, the members of the RCLS have been working tirelessly to support international and domestic operations, exercises, and the day-to-day business of the Canadian Armed Forces. Their dedication and commitment is paying dividends, and attracting notice.
“Because operations are the core of everything we do, there can be a tendency among operators to under-appreciate the role of our enablers, like the RCLS,” says BGen Chris Zimmer, Director General – Support at the Strategic Joint Staff. “Individual operators can expect a certain tempo or rhythm to what we do – we train up to a high standard, excel at our mission, then decompress as we return to a steady state. But for logistics personnel, even if they’re not on the operation, they’re supporting it. There is no down beat to their op tempo.”
“We have to recognize and appreciate their dedication,” he notes. “Because without our enablers, we’re in trouble – their success is a precondition to anything we hope to achieve.”
As we mark the occasion of International Women’s Day earlier this week, it is also worth noting that much of the success of the past year has been achieved through the leadership of women in uniform. The commanding officers of the naval logistics headquarters on both coasts are women, as are the commanding officers all but one RCAF Mission Support Squadron; at the NCM level, command chiefs can be found throughout the CAF.
“The RCLS really stands out as an example of where we need to go in the CAF, in terms of empowering women to succeed in leadership roles precisely because of who they are as individuals,” says Capt(N) Francis Turcotte, RCLS Advisor and Integrator. “I think leaders at all levels, in all trades, could stand to learn from their example.”
The Maple Leaf will be profiling several of these women leaders; helping share their example and experience with the entire Defence Team.
As part of our commitment to share Defence stories beyond any particular day, The Maple Leaf will profile several women leaders across the CAF, specifically those in the RCLS. We will share their example, their experience and celebrate their tireless support to international and domestic operations, exercises, and the day-to-day business of the Canadian Armed Forces.
The first to be profiled in this series include:
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