Author Archives: webmaster

Promotion of LCol Knight

Posted on by
Reply

Major Edie Knight was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on Monday 18 July 2022 and will remain within the Canadian Army Headquarters.

She requests the honour of your presence at her promotion celebration to be held Friday 22 July at 1700hrs at the Barley Mow in Westboro (399 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, K2A 0E9).

No RSVP required – civilian dress.

—————————————————————————————————-

Le major Edie Knight a été promu lieutenant-colonel le lundi 18 juillet 2022 et restera au Quartier général de l’Armée canadienne.

Elle demande l’honneur de votre présence à sa célébration de promotion qui aura lieu le vendredi 22 juillet à 17h00 au Barley Mow à Westboro (399 chemin Richmond, Ottawa, K2A 0E9).

Aucun RSVP requis – tenue civile.

DWD for LCol Warren Armstrong

Posted on by
Reply

Lieutenant-Colonel Warren Armstrong

requests the pleasure of your company at

his Departure with Dignity Ceremony

celebrating 39+ years of service

on Wednesday, 10 August 2022,

from 1300 to 1600 hrs

at The Army Officer’s Mess,

149 Somerset Street, Ottawa, Ontario.  

Complimentary Lunch Buffett will be provided

RSVP: wdarmstrong@gmail.com

Dress of the Day

Civilian Informal (no jeans as per Mess Regulations)

———————————————————————————-

Lieutenant-colonel Warren Armstrong
demande le plaisir de votre compagnie à

sa cérémonie de départ dans la dignité

célébrant plus de 39 ans de service

le mercredi 10 août 2022

de 13h00 a 16h00

au mess des officiers de l’armée,

149, rue Somerset, Ottawa (Ontario).

Un déjeuner buffet gratuit sera fourni

RSVP : wdarmstrong@gmail.com

Robe du jour

Civil Informel (pas de jeans conformément aux règlements du mess)

RETIREMENT MESSAGE – LIEUTENANT-COLONEL W.D. (WARREN) ARMSTRONG, CD2, (PSEL 00208) 

ON 31 JULY 2022, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WARREN ARMSTRONG WILL MEDICALLY RELEASE FROM THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES AFTER 39+ CONTINUOUS YEARS OF DEDICATED AND LOYAL SERVICE TO QUEEN AND COUNTRY. HE HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO SERVE WITH THE PRIMARY RESERVE; REGULAR FORCE; SUPPLEMENTARY RESERVE AND FINALLY THE REGULAR FORCE. 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG JOINED THE ARMY RESERVE IN 1983 AS AN MSE OP WITH 11 SERVICE BATTALION. HE SUBSEQUENTLY HAD HIS FIRST OCCUPATION TRANSFER TO THE MILITARY POLICE PLATOON WITHIN 11 SERVICE BATTALION FOLLOWING PROMOTION TO CORPORAL. SELECTED FOR THE RESERVE ENTRY SCHEME OFFICER PROGRAM IN 1986, HE SPENT A FUN FILLED SUMMER ON PHASE 2 INFANTRY TRAINING AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY COMMISSIONED AS A SECOND LIEUTENANT WITH THE MILITARY POLICE PLATOON. 

SEEKING GREATER ADVENTURE WHILE ATTENDING THIRD YEAR STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY, HE APPLIED AND WAS ACCEPTED TO THE REGULAR OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM (UNDERGRADUATE) AS AN ARTILLERY OFFICER ON 12 MARCH 1987. 

UPON GRADUATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA IN MAY 1988 HE PROCEEDED TO PHASE 2, 3 AND 4 ARTILLERY AT THE COMBAT TRAINING CENTER, CFB GAGETOWN. UPON PHASE 4 GRADUATION HE ATTENDED THE AIR DEFENCE ARTILLERY TROOP COMMANDER COURSE AT THE AIR DEFENCE ARTILLERY SCHOOL, CHATHAM, NB. IN AUGUST, 1989, HE WAS POSTED TO HIS FIRST REGIMENTAL TOUR WITH 4TH AIR DEFENCE REGIMENT, ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY, LAHR, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY. REGIMENTAL EMPLOYMENT CONSISTED OF ONE YEAR AS AN AIR DEFENCE BLOWPIPE TROOP COMMANDER WITH 127 AD BTY; ONE YEAR AT REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS AS THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANT AND ONE YEAR AS THE GUN SKYGUARD TROOP COMMANDER IN 129 BATTERIE DEFENCE ANTI-ARIENNE. 4TH AIR DEFENCE REGIMENT WAS REDUCED TO NIL STRENGTH ON 1 JUNE 1992 AND HE WAS POSTED BACK TO CANADA, TO HIS FIRST STAFF JOB. 

POSTED TO LAND FORCE COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, ST HUBERT, FROM JULY 1992 – JULY 1994, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG SERVED IN THE NATO PLANS AND UN OPERATIONS CELL. IN THIS POSITION HE WAS ASSIGNED AS THE ALLIED COMMAND EUROPE MOBILE FORCE (LAND) STAFF OFFICER DESK OFFICER, WHICH WAS A CAPTAIN BILLET ASSIGNMENT TO THE AMF (L) HQ IN HEIDELBERG, GERMANY WHICH TOOK HIM TO EUROPE ON MONTH LONG DEPLOYMENTS TO BOTH DENMARK AND ITALY. DURING THIS TIMEFRAME HE ALSO SERVED ON THE UN OPERATIONS PLANNING TEAM THAT SAW TASK FORCES DEPLOY TO CROATIA; BOSNIA; KOSOVO; SOMALIA AND RWANDA. 

POSTED TO HIS SECOND REGIMENTAL TOUR, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG WAS FORTUNATE TO BE POSTED TO THE 2ND REGIMENT, ROYAL CANADIAN HORSE ARTILLERY IN PETAWAWA IN SUMMER 94. HE SERVED AS THE BATTERY CAPTAIN (BK) HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICES BATTERY AND THEN TWO YEARS AS THE BK, F BATTERY. F BATTERY RECEIVED THE BRAND NEW LG1 LIGHT GUNS DURING THIS TWO-YEAR TIME FRAME AND F BATTERY WAS ASSIGNED AS THE CANADIAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE FORCE ARTILLERY, OF THE ALLIED COMMAND EUROPE MOBILE FORCE (LAND). THE HIGHLIGHT OF HIS TIME WAS THE DEPLOYMENT OF F BATTERY TO TURKEY FOR AN AMF(L) FORCE ARTILLERY CONCENTRATION WITH THE 5 OTHER CONTRIBUTING NATIONS. 

IN 1997 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG WAS POSTED BACK TO THE ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY SCHOOL AS THE BATTERY CAPTAIN FOR W BATTERY, THE TRAINING BATTERY IN SUPPORT OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY SCHOOL. FOLLOWING ONE YEAR AS BK W BATTERY, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG APPLIED FOR AND WAS SELECTED FOR OFFICER VOLUNTARY OCCUPATION TRANSFER TO THE PERSONNEL SELECTION BRANCH IN 1998.    

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG ATTENDED HIS ONE YEAR ON JOB TRAINING IN GAGETOWN DURING WHICH TIME HE ATTENDED THE BASIC PERSONNEL SELECTION COURSE CONDUCTED AT CFB ST-JEAN. HE FURTHER ATTENDED THE MILTARY CAREER COUNSELLOR COURSE CONDUCTED BY CANADIAN FORCES RECRUIT GROUP AND SPENT THREE MONTHS OF HIS YEAR LONG TRAINING AS A MILITARY CAREER COUNSELLOR WITH CANADIAN FORCES RECRUITING CENTER AT CFB GAGETOWN. 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG’S FIRST POSTING AS A NEWLY MINTED PERSONNEL SELECTION OFFICER WAS TO THE CROWN JEWEL OF RCAF POSTINGS, AS THE WING PERSONNEL SELECTION OFFICER, 14 WING, GREENWOOD, NOVA SCOTIA IN SUMMER 1999. IN 2001, HE COMPONENT TRANSFERRED TO THE SUPPLEMENTARY RESERVE LIST AND SPENT THREE YEARS WORKING IN CORPORATE FINANCE WITH AN INVESTMENT BANK. 

IN 2004, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG COMPONENT TRANSFERRED BACK TO THE REGULAR FORCE AND WAS POSTED TO CFB BORDEN AT THE GROUP PERSONNEL SELECTION OFFICE. IN 2005, HE WAS APPOINTED AS THE OFFICER COMMANDING, PERSONNEL SELECTION OFFICER TRAINING COMPANY, AS THE THIRD OC AT THE SCHOOL. IN 2006, HE REVERTED TO CHIEF INSTRUCTOR WITH THE UPGRADING OF THE OC POSITION. PROMOTED TO MAJOR IN JANUARY, 2008, LIEUTENTANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG WAS POSTED TO CFB PETAWAWA AS THE BASE PERSONNEL SELECTION OFFICER. DUTIES NOT ONLY INCLUDED STANDARD PERSONNEL SELECTION SERVICES BUT DUE TO COMBAT OPERATIONS ONGOING IN AFGHANISTAN, HE WAS APPOINTED AS THE OFFICER COMMANDING THE SERVICE PERSONNEL HOLDING LIST. SELECTED FOR POST GRADUATE STUDIES THAT WERE SUBSEQUENTLY CANCELLED, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG REMAINED AT CFB PETAWAWA FOR ANOTHER YEAR DURING WHICH TIME HE ASSISTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEWLY CREATED JOINT PERSONNEL SUPPORT UNIT AND SAT ON THE ASSESSMENT AND SELECTION BOARDS FOR THE INITIAL HIRING. 

IN 2009, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG COMMENCED POST GRADUATE STUDIES AT CARLETON UNIVERSITY, COMPLETING A MASTER IN ARTS IN SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY IN 2011. HIS THESIS WAS: RESILIENT OUTCOMES FOLLOWING MILITARY OPERATIONS, A SURVEY OF CANADIAN SOLIDERS AFTER AFGHANISTAN. UPON GRADUATION, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG BEGAN A FOUR-YEAR TOUR WITH DGMPRA SERVING THE ENTIRE TIME WITH THE ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND LEADERSHIP TEAM. HIS PRIMARY WORK WAS AS THE DESK OFFICER IN SUPPORT OF THE CANADIAN ARMY RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS. ONE PARTICULAR REPORT FOR THE COMMANDER, CANADIAN ARMY, RESULTED IN LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG RECEIVING THE COMMANDER CANADIAN ARMY COMMENDATION ALONG WITH HIS TWO FELLOW AUTHORS (NOTE HE WAS SECOND AUTHOR). AS THE DESK OFFICER, HE FURTHER COORDINATED THE HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF OPERATIONS SURVEY FOR OP ATTENTION ROTOTATIONS 1, 2 AND 3. DURING THIS TIMEFRAME HE WAS DEPLOYED TO KABUL, AFGHANISTAN, ON ROTATION 2 OF OP ATTENTION WORKING WITH THE NATO AIR TRAINING COMMAND WHICH WAS BUILDING THE AFGHAN AIR FORCE. HE RECEIVED A COMMANDER, AFGHAN AIR FORCE COMMENDATION FOR THIS WORK IN BUILDING OUT THE AFGHAN AIR FORCE STRUCTURE TO 7,500 THEREBY ACHIEVING A NATO MILESTONE.      

POSTED TO CANADIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS IN 2015 AS THE CANADIAN ARMY PSO, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG ASSISTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DIVISION PERSONNEL SELECTION OFFICER BILLETS AT EACH CANADIAN DIVISION HEADQUARTERS UNITING BOTH THE REGULAR FORCE AND PRIMARY RESERVE PSOS. THESE NEW POSITIONS WERE TIMELY AND CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE COMMANDER CANADIAN ARMY’S GOAL OF TAKING OVER ALL PRIMARY RESERVE RECRUITING FROM CFRG, WHICH WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY A DIVISION PSO LED TRAINING TEAM OVER A FOUR MONTH PERIOD.

PROMOTED IN JUNE 2017, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG WAS POSTED INTO A NEW POSITION AT THE JOINT PERSONNEL SUPPORT UNIT HEADQUARTERS AS DIRECTOR TRANSITION SERVICES. THIS POSITION WAS VERY SHORT LIVED AS THE NEW DEFENCE POLICY: STRONG SECURE ENGAGED HAD JUST BEEN ISSUED. UPON ARRIVAL IN HIS NEW BILLET, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MOVED INTO THE J5 PLANS POSITION TO WORK ON THE CREATION OF THE NEWLY ANNOUNCED CANADIAN ARMED FORCES TRANSITION GROUP. FOLLOWING A MEDICAL INCIDENT ON THE JOB WHILE SERVING AS THE J5 PLANS AND FOUR MONTHS OF SICK LEAVE, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG WAS POSTED FROM THE J5 PLANS OFFICER POSITION TO THE CAF TRANSITION UNIT, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION. HIS RETURN TO DUTY PROGRAM WAS WITH CHIEF OF STAFF, STRATEGIC, AT CHIEF MILITARY PERSONNEL HEADQUARTERS. HE WORKED ON THE MODERNIZATION OF THE UNIVERSIALITY OF SERVICE POLICY WORKING GROUP; THE ADAPTIVE CAREER PATH WORKING GROUP; AND THE OP REGENERATION WORKING GROUP. POSTED TO CAF TRANSITION CENTER ESQUIMALT, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG PERFECTED THE ART OF TELECOMMUTING LONG BEFORE COVID ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ARMSTRONG WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS HIS SINCERE THANKS TO THE COUNTLESS PEOPLE WITH WHOM HE SERVED WITH OVER THE YEARS FOR THEIR PATIENCE, DEDICATION, MENTORSHIP, SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP. MOST IMPORTANTLY HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK HIS SPOUSE, CAPTAIN (RETIRED) CHARLENE LINDSAY FOR HER SUPPORT. AFTER RETIREMENT, HE WILL REMAIN IN VICTORIA WORKING ON HIS GOLF GAME.

A DWD WILL BE HELD AT THE ARMY OFFICER’S MESS, OTTAWA ON 10 AUGUST 2022, FROM 1300 TO 1600 HRS. CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES, BEST WISHES, STORIES, ANECDOTES ARE WELCOME AND MAY BE SENT TO LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER HEATHER RYAN AT HEATHER.RYAN(AT)FORCES.GC.CA.

Promotion LCol James Carter

Posted on by
Reply

Congratulations to LCol Jamie Carter who will be taking on the position of SSO Cyber Personnel Development.

From left to rightMajor-General (MGen) Andrew Jayne, Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) James Carter, Anna Carter and Chief Warrant Officer Pascal Turcotte.MGen Andrew Jayne, Assistant Deputy Minister (Information Management) (ADM(IM)) Chief of Staff promotes Major James Carter to LCol during the ADM(IM) Honours and Awards Ceremony in Ottawa Ontario on 28 June, 2022. Photo Credit: Corporal Sylviane St-Cyr, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau)

LCol Elisa Cass Farewell Message

Posted on by
Reply

Good day my dear PSEL Colleagues,

The day has come… time to turn in my DWAN laptop and remove myself from the network. My retirement dates is effectively 4 April 2022 but I did not want to lose the opportunity to say good-bye and wish you all well with the remainder of your careers. 

I have truly loved being part of the PSEL famiIy and enjoyed getting together with you, my dear colleagues, whenever possible. The greatest reward for me, was being the RCAF CPSO, 2 CAD PSA and later the RCAF Senior Selection Officer. I loved being able to mentor and guide new and young talent in the branch, and perhaps pass on a lesson learned or two along the way.

You are all super smart people and it has been my distinct privilege to serve with each of you. You have a lot to offer the CAF. I want you to seize every opportunity you have in the Branch and the CAF; to push yourselves and never doubt your place at the strategic table. You have the knowledge, skills and abilities to impact key personnel decisions. Make great use of the professional development available to you, now and in the coming years, support the Branch by helping out wherever and whenever you can. You are a small branch but a mighty one and need to help each other. Aim high, give sound advice and never BS your clients. They will see through you and you cannot afford to lose any credibility.

I hope one day to be invited back for a mess dinner, whenever we can meet again as a larger group. That would be awesome! I will remain available to chat at any time. Call me if you like (204) 396-1220 or reach out at elisa.cass@gmail.com. I would like to remain part of the PSOA if you will have me, so I can keep up with you and your awesomeness.

Some of you may have heard, that I have been keeping busy while posted to CAF TU-NCR. I consider myself a BPSO/SCAN good news story. I followed all of my PSO’s good advice (Capt Benotto) on taking advantages of our great services, while transitioning medically out of the CAF. I can tell you that we have a wonderful array of benefits and anyone would be foolish not to take good advantage of the services. I took advantage of everything… from SCAN/Med SCAN, to CTWs, SII and then… I signed up for OP Entrepreneur Bootcamp in Aug 21. To participate, I had to either have already started a business or at least a definite idea on what that business would be. I was very clear. I wanted the course info but had no intentions of starting a business. I selected a home staging business as my idea. I went through the motions, did the coursework, established a peer network. After course completion, one of the students approached me (Ex Int O) and asked if I would consider staging one of his investment properties for sale. In for a penny, in for a pound… suffice it to say, my business is now incorporated! Elle Cass Staging by Design Inc. My website will be launched in the next month or so. Through Voc Rehab, I attained 5 Certifications: Certified Staging Professional, Colour Consultant, Residential Renovations Project Management, ECO Professional and Residential Senior Transition Specialist. Also as part of my voc rehab, I began working with stagers from the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) Ottawa and now have staged over 25 homes for sale and done several consultations. I have joined RESA so I now have a great new network of women to collaborate with, support and be supported by.. I consider myself lucky but  acknowledge that it was my own drive and determination that got me this far.  I would love to come out to your bases/wings to provide a SCAN/Med SCAN testimonial on our great services and how to be successful at transitioning, should you ever want my two cents. It is never leaving the CAF when it is not on your own terms. Med release has its share of heart ache but being master of your own destiny is trulyl the key. I had zero intentions of working after release, but here I am… Never would have guessed it.  If you ever find yourself interested in this type of work, and leaving the military, give me a call. I will need help.

Keep up the great and important work. You all have an amazing contribution to make. Be your best self; whatever that is for you. More than anything, BE  happy. That is what I wish for each of you. If interested in attending my little retirement get together on 29 Mar 2021 at 1330, please contact LCdr Anna Dupuis as she is managing the numbers at the Brew Table. Would love to see you.

Best always,

Elisa 

LCol Elisa Cass

RETIREMENT – MAJOR PETER BEATTY

Posted on by
Reply

DWD information:

Date:  17 February 2022

Timing: 1300 onward

Location: Big Rig Kitchen & Brewery, 1980 Ogilvie Rd (Gloucester)

RSVP: Kelsey.Barry@forces.gc.ca

RETIREMENT MESSAGE – MAJOR P.D.L.B. (PETER) BEATTY, OStJ, CD, (PSEL 00182)   

  1. ON 10 DECEMBER 2021, MAJOR PETER BEATTY WILL RETIRE FROM THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES AFTER 40+ YEARS OF DEDICATED AND LOYAL SERVICE TO QUEEN AND COUNTRY. 
  1. MAJOR BEATTY JOINED THE ARMY RESERVE IN 1981 AS AN INFANTIER WITH THE NORTH SASKATCHEWAN REGIMENT. AFTER CROSS TRAINING AS A CASUALTY AIDE HE TRANSFERRED TO 16 (REGINA) MEDICAL COMPANY WHERE HE SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY UNTIL LATER PURSUING A COMMISSION AS A MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER.  
  1. IN 1988 MAJOR BEATTY EFFECTED A COMPONENT TRANSFER TO THE REGULAR FORCE AS A MARS OFFICER. HOWEVER, HE SUBSEQUENTLY ELECTED TO TRANSFER BACK TO THE ARMY RESERVE AS A LOGISTICS OFFICER IN ORDER TO COMPLETE HIS UNIVERSITY EDUCATION. CONCURRENT WITH THE  COMPLETION OF HIS BACHELORS DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY IN 1992, MAJOR BEATTY ACCEPTED AN OCCUPATION TRANSFER TO PERSONNEL SELECTION AND WAS APPOINTED AS THE SASKATCHEWAN BRIGADE PERSONNEL SELECTION OFFICER (LATER 38 CBG PERSONNEL SELECTION OFFICER). DURING THIS TIMEFRAME MAJOR BEATTY ALSO COMPLETED HIS UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK. 
  1. IN 1999 MAJOR BEATTY TOOK A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM THE SASKATOON DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD (ADDICTION SERVICES) TO ACCEPT A REQUEST FROM THE COMMANDER CANADIAN FORCES RECRUITING GROUP TO STAND UP A RECRUITING DETACHMENT IN SASKATOON. MAJOR BEATTY SERVED AS THE DETACHMENT COMMANDER UNTIL 2003 AT WHICH TIME HE EFFECTED A COMPONENT TRANSFER BACK TO THE REGULAR FORCE IN THE PERSONNEL SELECTION OCCUPATION. 
  1. FOLLOWING HIS INITIAL POSTING TO DIRECTOR GENERAL MILITARY CAREERS, MAJOR BEATTY WAS SELECTED TO ATTEND GRADUATE SCHOOL AT CARLETON UNIVERSITY. UPON GRADUATION WITH A MASTERS DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY (2009), HE WAS POSTED TO DIRECTOR GENERAL MILITARY PERSONNEL RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS WHERE HE SERVED AS A RESEARCHER ON BOTH THE OPERATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMICS AND PERSONNEL AND FAMILY SUPPORT RESEARCH TEAMS. SUBSEQUENT POSTINGS INCLUDED EMPLOYMENT AS THE 2IC AT PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT (2014), DEPUTY RCAF COMMAND PSO (2016), G1 FUTURE PLANS CA HEADQUARTERS (2016), JPSU TRANSITION OPERATIONS OFFICER (2017) AND STRATEGIC ANALYST WITH CMP COS STRAT (2018) WHERE HE SIMULTANEOUSLY COMPLETED HIS MASTERS DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (2020), MAJOR BEATTY HAS BEEN EMPLOYED OUT OF TRADE AS A CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER WITH CANADIAN FORCES HEALTH SERVICES CENTRE (OTTAWA). 
  1. THROUGHOUT HIS TIME WITH THE CAF, MAJOR BEATTY HAS BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE OF VOLUNTEERISM AND COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT.  HE HAS A LENGTHY HISTORY WITH THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR CADETS BOTH AT THE SQUADRON LEVEL AND WITH THE REGIONAL GLIDING SCHOOL (PRAIRIE) WHERE WITH THE LATTER, HE CONTRIBUTED OVER 25,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS WITH SPRING/FALL GLIDING PROGRAM IN A VARIETY OF ROLES INCLUDING FAMILIARIZATION PILOT, INSTRUCTOR/STANDARDS OFFICER, DEPUTY COMMANDER, AND UNIT FLIGHT SAFETY OFFICER. IN 1997, HE RECEIVED THE DIRECTOR FLIGHT SAFETY “FOR PROFESSIONALISM” AWARD FOR PREVENTING A CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT FROM LANDING ‘GEAR UP’ AT THE PRINCE ALBERT, SASKATCHEWAN AIRPORT. IN ADDITON TO HIS INVOLVMENT WITH AIR CADETS, MAJOR BEATTY ALSO SAT AS A BOARD MEMBER WITH THE SASKATOON/DUNDURN MILITARY FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE, VOLUNTEERED ANNUALLY WITH SASKATOON HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND SERVED AS A BOARD MEMBER WITH THE SASKATOON COUNCIL OF ST. JOHN AMBULANCE. SINCE POSTED TO OTTAWA IN 2003, MAJOR BEATTY HAS CONTRIBUTED OVER 6000 VOLUNTEER HOURS WITH ST. JOHN AMBULANCE COUNCIL FOR FEDERAL DISTRICT WHERE HE SERVED IN VARIOUS ROLES INCLUDING THAT OF PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER. MAJOR BEATTY HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR HIS WORK WITH ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BY HIS ADMISSION AND SUBSEQUENT PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER IN THE MOST VENERALBLE ORDER OF THE HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM. IN 2012, MAJOR BEATTY WAS HONOURD BY THE CROWN WITH A GRANT OF ARMORIAL BEARINGS.  
  1. MAJOR BEATTY WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS HIS SINCERE THANKS TO THE COUNTLESS PEOPLE WITH WHOM HE SERVED WITH OVER THE YEARS FOR THEIR PATIENCE, DEDICATION, MENTORSHIP, SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP. MOST IMPORTANTLY HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK HIS WIFE LAUREEN AND HIS SONS CHRISTIAN AND AIDEN FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER. AFTER RETIREMENT, HE WILL REMAIN IN THE NCR AND ANTICIPATES CONTINUING HIS CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITHIN THE CIVILIAN SECTOR. 
  1. A DWD WILL BE HELD AT A YET TO BE DETERMINED DATE. CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES, BEST WISHES, STORIES, ANECDOTES ARE WELCOME AND MAY BE SENT TO CAPT DOROTHY SALNIKOV AT DOROTHY.SALNIKOV(AT)FORCES.GC.CA. 
  1. ACTA SOLUM REFERUNT GLORIA NIHIL/THE DEED IS EVERYTHING, THE GLORY IS NAUGHT. 

Promotion Maj Noseworthy

Posted on by
Reply

On 30 July 2021 at his home in Stittsville, Ontario (in his garage, more specifically), Capt David Noseworthy was promoted to the rank of Maj. Congratulations David and good luck in your new position with CDA HQ as the SO Process. // Le 20 juillet 21, dans sa maison à Stittsville, Ontario (plus précisément, dans son garage), capt David Noseworthy a été promu au grade de maj. Félicitations David et bonne chance dans ta nouvelle position au sein du QG ACD DRET.

Picture : Maj Noseworthy’s wife Cdr Melanie Blanchard along with Commodore Christopher Robinson. We also see the RCAF Comd and CWO on the iPad screen – virtual promotions…

Major Felix Fonseca successfully defends thesis

Posted on by
Reply

The Director Research Operational and Organizational Dynamics within DGMPRA is pleased to announce that Major Felix Fonseca successfully defended his thesis on May 7, thus completing all the requirements for his Doctorate in Industrial Relations.  The subject of his thesis could not be more timely. Congratulations Felix!

La Directrice – Dynamique opérationnelle et organisationnelle (Recherche) dans DGRAPM a le plaisir d’annoncer que Major Felix Fonseca a défendu avec succès son thèse le 7 mai, complétant ainsi toutes les exigences pour son doctorat en relations industrielle. Le sujet de son thèse ne pouvait pas être plus opportun. Félicitations Felix!

Titre : Liens entre l’identité morale individuelle et l’expression de comportements de citoyenneté organisationnelle considérés comme dimension informelle de l’éthique : étude appliquée aux Forces armées canadiennes

Title: The links between Individual Moral Identity and Organizational Citizenship Behaviors considered as an informal dimension of ethics: a study applied to the Canadian Armed Forces

Résumé

Le ministère de la Défense nationale du Canada (MDN) a élaboré un programme d’éthique pour ses employés et les Forces armées canadiennes (FAC) vers la fin des années 1990 afin de remédier à certains problèmes observés dans le milieu de travail et durant des missions outremer dans lesquelles les FAC étaient impliquées. Divers moyens, tels que la formation en éthique et le renforcement du leadership dans le milieu du travail, sont utilisés pour que les militaires canadiens se conforment aux règles éthiques et adhèrent à des normes prescrites dans les codes de conduite. Cependant, malgré l’établissement de ce programme il y a plus de 20 ans, on observe toujours des problèmes éthiques sur le terrain, allant du refus de rapporter des actes non éthiques à la négligence professionnelle grave (Bradley & Tymchuk 2013; Coulthard, 2013; 2013; Deschamps, 2015; Statistique Canada, 2014; Ivey, Blanc, Therrien, &. McCuaig-Edge, 2009). Ainsi, la formalisation éthique par des codes de conduite et sa promotion par la formation n’a permis ni d’éliminer les comportements inappropriés à ce chapitre ni de comprendre comment les individus s’approprient l’éthique au sein d’une organisation. Cette thèse a pour objectif d’apporter un éclairage sur cette appropriation en cherchant à comprendre les liens entre l’identité morale et les comportements de citoyenneté organisationnelle au sein des FAC, cet apport pouvant à son tour permettre à ces dernières de considérer le rôle des comportements extra-rôles et pro-sociaux dans l’établissement et le renforcement des comportements éthiques de ses militaires. Plus spécifiquement, cette thèse vise à vérifier un modèle postulant des relations directes entre l’identité morale et les comportements de citoyenneté organisationnelle, et une modération partielle de cette relation par trois caractéristiques socio-professionnelles retenues à la suite de la recension des écrits :  la formation, le nombre d’années de service dans les FAC et le grade (terme utilisé par les FAC et dans cette thèse pour désigner l’échelon hiérarchique ou la séniorité). 

Le devis de recherche est de nature transversale (synchronique) et quantitative; il se justifie par le fait que les données issues de la littérature montrent qu’il est possible de mesurer et d’analyser les variables prises en compte de façon adéquate. Pour les trois raisons suivantes, cette recherche est réalisée à partir de données secondaires provenant de l’Enquête éthique de la Défense – mesurer le risque éthique au sein du MDN / CAF, 2014-2015 : 1. le nombre de répondants qui permet des analyses statistiques performantes; 2. les qualités métriques des instruments utilisés; 3. la possibilité d’effectuer des analyses originales sur l’information collectée. Un total de 1028 militaires de la Force Régulière des FAC ont rempli le questionnaire de l’enquête, soit en version papier ou par voie électronique. La stratégie d’analyse des résultats a reposé sur une combinaison de tests statistiques. Certains, tels que les analyses factorielles confirmatoires et les alphas de cronbach, visaient à vérifier les qualités métriques des instruments utilisés. Les autres (tests univariés d’analyse de variance à l’aide de SPSS, tests multivariés par équation structurelle, à l’aide d’AMOS) avaient pour objectif de vérifier si les données collectées permettaient de trouver des liens allant dans le sens des hypothèses.

Les principaux résultats ressortant des analyses se résument ainsi. Premièrement, il y a un lien significatif et positif, chez le personnel militaire consulté, entre la manifestation de traits relatifs à l’identité morale et l’expression perçue de comportements de citoyenneté organisationnelle. Plus spécifiquement, les militaires qui manifestent plus de traits relatifs à l’identité morale sont plus susceptibles d’aider leur organisation et leurs collègues au travail. Deuxièmement, bien qu’elle n’exerce qu’un effet modérateur partiel sur la relation entre l’identité morale du soldat et sa capacité d’expression de comportements de citoyenneté organisationnelle, la formation en éthique contribue à renforcer le lien entre l’identité morale du soldat et sa volonté d’aider son organisation et ses collègues de travail. Troisièmement, le nombre d’années de service n’agit comme facteur modérateur que sur la relation entre l’identité morale et la conscience (conscience sociale à l’égard des FAC et importance accordée à son travail et aux valeurs de FAC) que chez les militaires comptant moins d’années de service. Quatrièmement, le grade ou séniorité n’exerce pas d’effet modérateur sur la relation entre l’identité morale du soldat et sa capacité d’expression des comportements de citoyenneté organisationnelle.

Les apports théoriques (liens entre l’identité morale et les comportements de citoyenneté organisationnelle vus comme manifestation de l’éthique informelle) et pratiques (développement, par les FAC, de l’identité morale, prise en compte de l’éthique informelle, formation à l’éthique informelle) de cette recherche sont analysés. Les limites méthodologiques, notamment celles qui ont trait à l’objet de recherche, au devis de recherche et aux instruments utilisés, sont discutées. Enfin, des pistes de recherche sont suggérées, que ce soit pour compléter ou améliorer l’information étudiée dans le cadre de cette recherche.

Abstract

The Canadian Department of National Defense (DND) developed an ethics program for its employees, including for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), in the late 1990s to address some of the problems observed in the workplace and during overseas missions in which the CAF was involved. Various ways, such as training and strengthening leadership in the workplace, are used to ensure that Canadian military members comply with ethical rules and adhere to standards prescribed in codes of conduct. However, despite the implementation of this program over 20 years ago, there are still ethical issues in the field, ranging from refusal to report unethical acts to gross professional negligence (Bradley & Tymchuk 2013; Coulthard, 2013; 2013; Deschamps, 2015; Statistics Canada, 2014; Ivey, Blanc, Therrien, &. McCuaig-Edge, 2009). Thus, the formalization of ethics through codes of conduct and its promotion through training has not made it possible to eliminate inappropriate behaviour in this area or to understand how individuals engage with ethics within an organization. This thesis aims to shed light on this engagement by seeking to understand the relationship between moral identity and organizational citizenship behaviours within the CAF. This contribution may in turn enable the CAF to consider the role of extra-roles and pro-social behaviours in establishing and strengthening its soldiers’ ethical behaviour. More specifically, this thesis aims to verify a model postulating direct relationships between moral identity and organizational citizenship behaviours, and a partial moderation of this relationship by three socio-professional characteristics retained following the literature review: training, number of years of service in the CAF and rank (term used by the CAF and in this thesis to designate the hierarchical level or seniority).   

The research design is transversal (synchronic) and quantitative in nature; it is justified by the fact that the data from the literature show that it is possible to measure and analyze the variables taken into account adequately. For the following three reasons, this research is carried out using secondary data from the Defense Ethics Survey – measuring ethical risk within DND / CAF, 2014-2015: 1. the number of respondents which allows to perform efficient statistical analyzes; 2. The metric qualities of the instruments used; 3. the possibility of carrying out original analyzes on the information collected. A total of 1,028 CAF Regular Force members completed the survey questionnaire, either in hard copy or electronically. The results analysis strategy was based on a combination of statistical tests. Some, such as confirmatory factor analyzes and cronbach’s alphas were aimed at verifying the metric qualities of the instruments used. The others (univariate analysis of variance tests using SPSS, multivariate tests by structural equation, using AMOS) aimed to verify whether the data collected made it possible to find links going in the direction of the hypotheses. 

The main results emerging from the analysis can be summarized as follows. First, there is a significant and positive association, among the military members consulted, between the manifestation of traits relating to moral identity and the perceived expression of organizational citizenship behaviours. More specifically, military members who exhibit more traits relating to moral identity are more likely to help their organization and colleagues at work. Second, although it exerts only a partial moderating effect on the relationship between a soldier’s moral identity and their capacity to express organizational citizenship behaviours, ethics training helps to strengthen the relationship between the soldier’s morale identity and his willingness to help his organization and co-workers. Third, the number of years of service acts as a moderating factor on the relationship between moral identity and conscientiousness (social conscience towards the CAF and the importance given to one’s work and CAF values) only for military members with fewer years of service. Fourth, rank or seniority does not have a moderating effect on the relationship between the soldier’s moral identity and his capacity to express organizational citizenship behaviours.   

Theoretical contributions (relationship between moral identity and organizational citizenship behaviours seen as a manifestation of informal ethics) and practical contributions (development, by the CAF, of moral identity, taking into account of informal ethics, informal ethics training) of this research are analyzed. The methodological limits, in particular those relating to the research objective, the research design and the instruments used, are discussed. Finally, avenues of research are suggested, whether to supplement or improve the information studied in the context of this research.  

Farewell Captain Kolasky

Posted on by
Reply

In the world of sports, commentators will pause to highlight an athlete’s outstanding performance by mentioning that they “truly brought their A-game” or “definitely came to play” that day.  Not only do such players demonstrate an ability to rise to the occasion and leave everything on the field, but in doing so they inspire others to elevate their own performance as well.  This year, the PSEL Branch will say farewell to one such teammate—Capt Owen Kolasky.

Effective August 18th, 2021, Capt Kolasky will don the cap badge of the Medical Services Branch and march off to Queen’s University to begin a four-year program leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine.  His curious mind, positive interpersonal skills, calm analytical abilities and consistent perseverance fueled by a desire to help others will hold him in good stead as he navigates through medical school, residency phases and future postings.

Capt Kolasky was presented with the PSEL Branch Advisor’s Certificate on June 22nd during a visit to Ottawa.  The caption reads as follows:

CAPTAIN OWEN KOLASKY, CD

2013 to 2021

Captain Owen Kolasky provided eight years of service to the Personnel Selection Branch. From 2013 to 2017, he completed his Honours degree in Psychology at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMCC) in Kingston. During the summer academic breaks, he gained valuable experience working within the Psychology Department at RMCC and at the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre. Following the Basic PSEL residency phase in Borden, Capt

Kolasky completed the practical phase of his PSEL training and his first posting at the Base Personnel Selection Office (BPSO) in Kingston, ON from 2017 to 2020. From 2020 to 2021, he served as the J7 Selection Coordinator for the Military Police Group. He was admired for his perseverance, dedication and professional approach. His hard work and support to members have been highly valued and greatly appreciated by the Personnel Selection Branch and the Canadian Armed Forces.

Prior to joining the PSEL Branch, Capt Kolasky served 10 years as an Infantryman, bringing with him the valuable understanding of junior CAF members’ perspectives and the need to support them at all phases of their careers.  Please join me in thanking Owen for his noteworthy contribution to the PSEL Branch and wishing him success in his future endeavours as a Medical Officer.

Intellegere

LCol Lynne Poirier