RHQ Sep 16 SITREP
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30 <strong>Sep</strong> <strong>16</strong><br />
Distr List<br />
<strong>RHQ</strong> THE RCR <strong>SITREP</strong> SEPTEMBER 20<strong>16</strong><br />
<strong>RHQ</strong> EVENTS PAST MONTH<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
8 <strong>Sep</strong>, DCO Committee meeting, Petawawa.<br />
13 <strong>Sep</strong>, RM attended The RCR Association Strategic Review Committee, Petawawa.<br />
14-<strong>16</strong> <strong>Sep</strong>, RM conducted a routine visit to Wolseley Barracks, attended Museum BoA meeting, met<br />
with The RCR Trust’s lawyer on behalf of The RCR Association Strategic Review Committee, met<br />
with COS 31 CBG, met with NPP staff London Det and attended the 4 RCR change of RSM parade,<br />
London, ON; met with the Div G4, Toronto.<br />
21 <strong>Sep</strong>, Regt Adjt attended The RCR Association Board Meeting, Petawawa.<br />
<strong>RHQ</strong> EVENTS NEXT FOUR WEEKS<br />
<br />
22-23 Oct, <strong>RHQ</strong> team will execute the Regimental Retirement Dinner, Kingston, ON.<br />
COLONEL-OF-THE-REGIMENT (COTR) SCHEDULE<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
22 Oct. Regimental Retirement Dinner, Kingston.<br />
29 Nov. IODP 1.2 Regimental Badging, Gagetown.<br />
5-9 Dec. ROIC and Regimental Senate, Kingston, dates TBC.<br />
RETIREMENT/DWD EVENTS<br />
Serial<br />
Rank, Initials<br />
& Surname<br />
1. Capt J.P.<br />
McNulty<br />
2. LCol R.N.<br />
Washburn<br />
3. WO J.P.<br />
Lamothe<br />
Date &<br />
Time of<br />
event<br />
6 Oct,<br />
1200 hrs<br />
6 Oct,<br />
1400 hrs<br />
6 Oct,<br />
1500-1800<br />
hrs<br />
Location OPI with contact info Senior RCR<br />
representative<br />
attending (if<br />
known)<br />
Cartier Square Capt André Cantin at<br />
COTR<br />
Drill Hall<br />
Saint Andrew’s<br />
Barracks<br />
Officers’ Mess<br />
Oromocto<br />
Legion<br />
Andre.Cantin2@forces.gc.ca<br />
RSVP/anecdotes to Maj Bob<br />
Pearson, at<br />
robert.pearson@forces.gc.ca by<br />
29 <strong>Sep</strong>tember<br />
RSVP/anecdotes to MWO Rick<br />
Yuskiw at<br />
Richard.Yuskiw@forces.gc.ca or<br />
by fax to 506-422-1458<br />
4. MWO B. Miles 7 Oct Private function MWO W.K. Hunter at<br />
Wade.Hunter@forces.gc.ca<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
Unknown<br />
1/7
REGIMENTAL EVENTS<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
22 Oct <strong>16</strong>, 1800 for 1830 hrs, Regimental Retirement Dinner, RMC Senior Staff Mess, Kingston,<br />
ON.<br />
5-9 Dec <strong>16</strong>, Regimental Officers’ Indoctrination Course, Kingston, ON, Dates TBC.<br />
Tentative 8 Dec <strong>16</strong> TBC, Regimental Senate, Kingston, ON.<br />
<strong>RHQ</strong> PRIORITY OF WORK<br />
1. Regimental Website<br />
The work of the Regimental Website Committee proceeds. On 15 <strong>Sep</strong> a representative of The RCR<br />
Association signed the contract with the selected contractor, PixelEra. Work on the website design and<br />
layout has commenced with the input of committee members. Col Sandy McQuarrie (ret’d), LCol<br />
Lockhart, Regimental Secretary, and Cam Carbert of The RCR Trust met with the PixelEra team in<br />
Ottawa on 27 <strong>Sep</strong>. Additional meetings with the design team will be held throughout the autumn.<br />
Contract signing was delayed by one week from the initial plan and this may affect the final delivery date,<br />
however, at this time the project continues to aim for mid-December completion of the new regimental<br />
website.<br />
2. National Regimental Retirement Dinner<br />
The Regimental Adjutant issued the formal invitation to the regiment by e-mail on 22 <strong>Sep</strong>. <strong>RHQ</strong> is in<br />
contact with the retirees and planning continues. See invitation, re-attached here for information.<br />
Regimental<br />
Retirement Dinner Invitation<br />
3. 2015 Pro Patria<br />
The draft proof arrived at <strong>RHQ</strong> on 22 <strong>Sep</strong>. It was conveyed to Ottawa for review on 23 <strong>Sep</strong> by the<br />
Regimental Secretary and returned to the graphic designer with corrections on 28 <strong>Sep</strong>.<br />
4. Staff Estimate – The RCR Pipes & Drums<br />
At its meeting on 30 Jun, the Regimental Senate confirmed REC direction to <strong>RHQ</strong> to draft Commander’s<br />
Planning Guidance for a staff estimate to be conducted regarding COAs for the future employment of The<br />
RCR Pipes & Drums. CPG was signed by Chair REC on 26 <strong>Sep</strong> and distributed on 27 <strong>Sep</strong>, re-attached<br />
here for information.<br />
CPG The RCR Pipes<br />
& Drums Estimate<br />
5. CONPLAN FORTH BRIDGE<br />
No change from August <strong>SITREP</strong>: “New direction was received from CA HQ on 26 Jul. The CA order,<br />
dated 11 Apr <strong>16</strong>, amends some details from the previous CJOC direction including the dress (now Full<br />
Dress 1B vice Service Dress) and gives additional details for the organization of the Canadian memorial<br />
service. <strong>RHQ</strong> will amend the regiment’s CONPLAN and hold in readiness”.<br />
6. Implementation of CAO 33-19<br />
Summary. The 4 Div hold order on public purchases of regimental 1B uniforms will remain in place until<br />
further notice. There is no change to the situation briefed at the REC on 28 Jun.<br />
2/7
On <strong>16</strong> <strong>Sep</strong> the RM met with the 4 Div G4 to discuss the issues surrounding No.1B Full Dress<br />
procurement and maintenance as directed in CAO 33-19. It is clear that there are a number of issues<br />
which must be resolved at the CA and CAF levels before the CAO can be fully implemented. Among<br />
them:<br />
Maintenance. CAO 33-19 follow-up direction issued by CA HQ on 20 Jul <strong>16</strong> implies, but does not<br />
explicitly state, that public money may be spent on the maintenance of “existing No.1B uniforms”<br />
[therefore NPF-acquired in the case of all regiments less those uniforms purchased with public funds<br />
for the R22eR, RMC and Ceremonial Guard]. The Div G4 has requested that CA HQ explicitly<br />
confirm this direction as it contradicts many decades of policy wherein public money may generally<br />
not be spent on the upkeep of NPP. This issue is the reason that 1 RCR was not able to maintain, i.e.<br />
dry-clean, the 1B uniforms which it had drawn from <strong>RHQ</strong>/Full Dress Stores for its change of<br />
command this past June. To resolve this impasse <strong>RHQ</strong> subsequently sought Regimental Financial<br />
Committee authority to spend a non-forecasted in-year amount of $6k from the Regimental Fund<br />
(NPF) to dry-clean the uniforms. An electronic committee vote in late August authorized this<br />
expenditure and <strong>RHQ</strong> is executing.<br />
Procurement. Div staff assesses that it makes very little sense from a logistical, financial or practical<br />
perspective for individual units or Garrison Supply Sections to separately contract for the public<br />
acquisition of 1B uniforms and regimental accoutrements. Indeed such a procedure essentially<br />
amounts to contract splitting on a national scale and moreover will virtually guarantee the lack of a<br />
common standard among the various regiments authorized to wear 1B. CAO 33-19 predicts that such<br />
items will eventually transition to central management, however, there is a strong argument that such<br />
action should begin first, rather than permitting many separate local purchases. This argument<br />
applies equally to the acquisition of other items, such as regimental buttons. Only for the smallest,<br />
most unique and low-cost items authorized by CAO 33-19, such as regimental flags & pennants, does<br />
it make sense to procure locally.<br />
Infantry-of-the-Line vs. RCR P&D No.1B Uniforms. Scope exists for the acquisition of No.1B<br />
uniforms for bands to be treated differently, in part because CAO 33-19 establishes a “scale of issue”<br />
for Volunteer Pipes & Drums Bands, but also because band uniforms and equipment are inherently<br />
small-scale, unique and often legitimately sole-sourced. 2 CMBG G4 called for unit returns by 11<br />
Oct stating general regimental requirements for 1B, however, in the specific case of the regiment’s<br />
infantry 1B uniforms it is not anticipated that Div HQ will authorize public money for infantry 1B<br />
purchases in fy 17/18 as the regiment already has 400 sets of (NPF acquired) 1B uniforms with which<br />
to execute CONPLAN BRIDGE or Op DISTINCTION tasks – the rationale for immediate public<br />
purchase offered by CAO 33-19 and its follow-up amplification. There is a stronger case to be made<br />
for the public acquisition of P&D 1B in fy 17/18, however, until further staff action can resolve the<br />
issues noted above, Comd 4 Div issued further direction on 26 <strong>Sep</strong> that 4 Div HQ will not approve<br />
public purchases of 1B uniforms in fy 17/18.<br />
7. Regimental Council<br />
<br />
Regimental Senate. Due to changes in schedules the proposed date for the next Regimental Senate<br />
(8 Dec) is being re-examined. Consider this date tentative for the time being; more to follow.<br />
<br />
REC. Dates in mid-November are being considered for an REC meeting, including tele-conference<br />
or VTC. More to follow.<br />
8. DCO Committee<br />
The DCO Committee met at <strong>RHQ</strong> on 8 <strong>Sep</strong>. Minutes to follow.<br />
9. Staff Duties check of Regimental Strategy<br />
Staff duties/formatting check was completed on 21 <strong>Sep</strong> and the document was uploaded to the <strong>RHQ</strong><br />
ACIMS site in the Working Documents library. End of reporting for this item.<br />
3/7
10. Full Dress Stores<br />
Full Dress Stores has been issued a warning order to support No.1B kitting-out of a 50-soldier guard for<br />
an event on 26 Nov <strong>16</strong>.<br />
11. Regimental Archivist<br />
Priority of work:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Afghanistan Battle Honours. On 20 <strong>Sep</strong> DHH requested additional information from the regiment<br />
concerning The RCR Battle Honours Submission and specifically the recommendation a campaign<br />
honour to be styled KANDAHAR. On 28 <strong>Sep</strong> the Regt Archivist was tasked with compiling a<br />
summary list of all engagements and actions involving RCR elements in Kandahar Province.<br />
Biography. The Regt Archivist is completing work on the biography of a former regimental<br />
member.<br />
Photo Gallery Update. Obtaining Pre-Korea, WWII and post 1990’s CO’s photos to update <strong>RHQ</strong>’s<br />
rogues’ gallery.<br />
Research Paper – Proposed Afghanistan Commemorative Dates. The Regt Archivist submitted his<br />
research paper on 6 <strong>Sep</strong> and it was considered by the DCO Committee at its 8 <strong>Sep</strong> meeting.<br />
Recommendations for an Afghanistan Regimental Commemoration Day will go forward to the next<br />
meeting of the REC this autumn.<br />
Vol 3 History Committee. After five and half years in the making, the contract between The RCR<br />
Trust and the selected author, Major John R. Grodzinski, PhD was signed on 29 <strong>Sep</strong> in a short<br />
ceremony at the Fort Frontenac Officers’ Mess. The author, who is a respected RMC professor, will<br />
now commence research and work on the regiment’s Volume 3 History, with the Regimental<br />
Archivist, as Secretary to the Vol 3 History Committee, acting as John Grodzinski’s Point of Contact<br />
with <strong>RHQ</strong> and the regiment generally.<br />
Regimental History Volume 3, Contract Signing, Fort Frontenac Officers’ Mess, 29 <strong>Sep</strong> 20<strong>16</strong>. Left to Right:<br />
Col Tom Tarrant (ret’d) Chair The RCR Trust, Maj John Grodzinski, BGen Jim Simms (ret’d) Chair Vol 3<br />
History Committee.<br />
12. Regimental Competitions<br />
<strong>RHQ</strong> has recalled all of the regimental competition trophies for refurbishment, updating as required and<br />
photographing for inclusion in the 2017 edition of Regimental Standing Orders. The trophies will be held<br />
at <strong>RHQ</strong> pending the 2017 regimental competitions to be held in March 17. As in March 20<strong>16</strong>, the 2017<br />
competitions will again include the Boyle, Rawley and Holmes’ competitions. Also returning to the lineup<br />
in 2017 is the Spry Competition which was last competed and won by 2 RCR in 2009. 1 RCR is<br />
tracking its supporting task for the Boyle and Holmes’ competitions; 3 RCR is tracking its range task for<br />
the execution of the Spry Competition.<br />
13. The RCR Gate, Halifax<br />
<strong>RHQ</strong> received a <strong>SITREP</strong> on 8 <strong>Sep</strong> from the regimental ERE officer following this issue in Halifax; recopied<br />
below from his separate e-mail exchange. Note background context – when this subject was first<br />
4/7
eported to <strong>RHQ</strong> it was indicated that RPOU(A) had contacted DHH regarding funding for the restoration<br />
of the gate. A regimental officer posted to DHH noted this in a past <strong>RHQ</strong> <strong>SITREP</strong>, queried it within<br />
DHH and it transpires that DHH is not involved after all, as the quoted text below clarifies:<br />
E-mail 8 <strong>Sep</strong>: “No work has been done on it: I physically checked yesterday. There is still an active<br />
Work Request in with RPOU(A) to have the gate rehabilitated. I queried for an update again with the<br />
Det Comd last week, his plans staff last week and his coordination officer on Tues. There will be an<br />
RPCC on 29 <strong>Sep</strong> where we will bring it up…RP Ops has not involved DHH to my knowledge. The<br />
“heritage people” that they deal with is the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO -<br />
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/beefp-fhbro/index.aspx). The Gate is not a listed or designated site but<br />
as it is historic, RP Ops indicated to me that they would contact FHBRO. The Gate will not be impacted<br />
by the upcoming teardown of A-block or the movement of the Almon Access Gate according to the<br />
Project Manager. No timeline on when those projects will start.”<br />
14. Presentation of copy of HRH bust to Rideau Hall<br />
<strong>RHQ</strong> is monitoring the means for information regarding a commemorative event to be held in the future.<br />
15. Administration of Regimental Civilian Employees<br />
On 15 <strong>Sep</strong> the RM had a lengthy meeting with NPF staff London Det to discuss the transition of the<br />
regiment’s NPP employees under the administrative umbrella of CFM&WS, however, subsequently<br />
CFM&WS HQ indicated that the Trenton NPF Detachment was their designated office for handling NPP<br />
staff, whereas NPP London will only deal with PRes NPP staff and accounts. Back to the drawing<br />
board…<br />
<strong>16</strong>. Regimental Warehouse<br />
New Regimental Buttons. Regimental buttons from the regiment’s new supplier, Polix Industries,<br />
arrived on 21 <strong>Sep</strong> and are now available for sale. These buttons are significantly more robust, shiny<br />
and smart than those provided by previous suppliers.<br />
New Regimental Sword. The regimental pattern sword authorized by the REC at its 28 Jun meeting<br />
arrived at <strong>RHQ</strong> on 20 <strong>Sep</strong>. The first sword has been dedicated as the Colonel-of-the-Regiment’s<br />
sword and will remain on display at <strong>RHQ</strong>. Personnel wishing to obtain the regimental pattern sword<br />
may contact the Regimental Warehouse for supplier and ordering information.<br />
Warehouse Revenue – August 20<strong>16</strong>. Regimental Warehouse financials are published one month in<br />
arrears:<br />
Location Sales Profit<br />
Warehouse incl<br />
www.thercr.ca $7,499.28 $1,082.02 1<br />
internet sales<br />
Museum Gift Shop $2,236.28 $841.04<br />
Canex Meaford $48.01 $11.10<br />
Canex Gagetown $1,309.41 $369.88<br />
Canex Petawawa $941.88 $239.61<br />
Canex Kingston $230.35 $66.43<br />
Canex Ottawa $53.96 $15.92<br />
Canex.ca $36.97 $9.85<br />
$12,356.14 $2,635.85<br />
1<br />
Low profit figure reflects the re-sale of soldier benefit items (“VCP”) to The RCR Fund General Account and the re-sale of<br />
regimental items to bn kit shops at cost.<br />
5/7
17. Regimental Museum<br />
Afghanistan Oral History Project. With the assistance of RCR ERE members in Kingston, the<br />
project will conduct video interviews in Kingston 5-7 Oct. Regimental personnel who wish to be<br />
interviewed regarding their experiences in Afghanistan may contact Major C. Nobrega at<br />
Christopher.Nobrega@forces.gc.ca<br />
Service Level Agreement. No change. SLA between The RCR Museum and 4 CDSG is in draft.<br />
Employee Hours. A proposal to increase museum employee hours in the 2017 RCR Fund budget<br />
was forwarded to the Chair of The RCR Trust on 11 July.<br />
Oct Museum<br />
Newsletter<br />
Museum Group Visits<br />
Oct<br />
Museum Event<br />
Invitation<br />
18. <strong>RHQ</strong> Orderly Room<br />
In <strong>Sep</strong>tember the <strong>RHQ</strong> Orderly Room processed gifts for 11 Releases/Retirements and six flower orders<br />
for regimental births.<br />
19. The RCR Trust<br />
On behalf of the Colonel of the Regiment and The RCR Trust, on 14 <strong>Sep</strong> the RM presented the COTR<br />
Commendation to Mr. John Pongrac, The RCR Trust Fund’s Accountant, for his outstanding diligence<br />
and work for The RCR Trust.<br />
COTR Commendation Presentation to Mr. John Pongrac, The RCR Museum, 14 <strong>Sep</strong> 20<strong>16</strong>. Left to Right: Mr. John<br />
Pongrac, Accountant for The RCR Trust; Maj B.J. Wright, Regimental Major<br />
REPORTS & RETURNS<br />
<strong>RHQ</strong> Reports & Returns are updated as required and attached in each monthly <strong>RHQ</strong> <strong>SITREP</strong> for the<br />
action/information of all Royal Canadians. The current version of <strong>RHQ</strong> Reports & Returns is dated 11<br />
July 20<strong>16</strong>. <strong>RHQ</strong> Reports & Returns may also be found at <strong>RHQ</strong>’s ACIMS Sharepoint site on the Orderly<br />
Room tab: http://acims.mil.ca/org/rhq_the_rcr/default.aspx<br />
<strong>RHQ</strong> Reports &<br />
Returns<br />
OTHER ACTIVITIES/EVENTS<br />
Nil<br />
6/7
REGIMENTAL/<strong>RHQ</strong> ORGANIZATION<br />
Regimental<br />
Organization<br />
RM ASSESSMENT/COMMENTS<br />
NSTR.<br />
<br />
B.J. Wright<br />
Maj<br />
RM<br />
4350<br />
Distr List<br />
Chair REC<br />
Regt Secretary<br />
Info<br />
Regt Senate//COTR/Chair/Members<br />
1 RCR//CO/DCO/OC Duke’s Coy/Adjt/RSM/DSM<br />
2 RCR//CO/DCO/Adjt/RSM/DSM<br />
3 RCR//CO/DCO/Adjt/RSM/DSM<br />
4 RCR//CO/DCO/Adjt/RSM/DSM<br />
ERE//RCR Colonels/RCR COs/Regt Mentors<br />
Chair, The RCR Association<br />
Chair, The RCR Trust<br />
Regimental Museum//Chair, Board of Advisors/Executive Director/Members<br />
Regt Archives<br />
7/7