July 7, 2006
Viterbo, Italy -- Over the next two years, two Canadian Forces reserve officers will hold high-profile leadership roles representing reservists within the NATO Alliance.
Maj.-Gen. Herb Petras, currently Chief of Reserves and Cadets at National Defence Headquarters, assumes the chairmanship of NATO's influential National Reserve Forces Committee (NRFC), where he will lead the 20-nation joint committee whose delegates are responsible for reserve affairs in their respective countries. NFRC's objectives are to strengthen the readiness of the Alliance's reserve forces and to provide advice on reserve issues to the NATO Military Committee. "These issues would include the contribution of reserve forces to international operations, the re-integration of reservists within their respective communities following deployment abroad, the law of armed conflict, and the impact of NATO expansion on the reserves," explained Maj.-Gen. Petras.
Captain (Navy) Carman McNary of Edmonton assumes the presidency of the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers. Founded in 1948, this independent body is the largest military reserve officer organization in the world and represents over 1.3 million reservists across 34 participating nations. In addition to supporting the NATO Alliance by providing advice on reserve issues and promoting cooperation amongst nations, the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers, commonly referred to by its French acronym CIOR, fosters the professional development of reserve officers through a variety of annual programs. These include its highly competitive Military Pentathlon, a winter seminar and summer symposium focusing on issues relevant to NATO, and a week-long workshop for young reserve officers. CIOR also supports NATO's outreach initiatives through its ongoing Partnership for Peace program in addition to CIOR's Language Academy, which provides French and English language training to NATO's partner nations.
"In addition to their roles as reserve officers, many individual delegates of CIOR are highly accomplished business and industrial leaders, public servants and academics," said Capt(N) McNary. "They are therefore in a unique position to contribute to a better understanding of security and defence issues in the population as a whole, as well as bringing civilian expertise and experience to the tasks and challenges facing reserve forces in NATO," he added.
The upcoming Canadian leadership of both NRFC and CIOR coincide with Canadian General Ray Henault being the top military officer within NATO, chairing its Military Committee. "Combined, this is a formidable leadership presence on the international military stage, a clear demonstration of Canada's influence within NATO, while at the same time providing excellent synergy to move the yardstick forward for reservists around the world," said Capt(N) McNary.
-30-
For further information, please contact Major Lynne Chaloux, Public Affairs Officer, at cellular 613-220-8984 until 9 July, or Captain Dave Meister at 204-833-2500 ext. 5524 after 10 July.
