RHQ SITREP Nov/Dec 16

31 December 16
Distr List
RHQ THE RCR SITREP NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2016
RHQ EVENTS/ACTIVITIES PAST TWO MONTHS
15 Nov. RM and Regt Adjt attended a regimental website development meeting with PixelEra in
Ottawa.
16 Nov. RHQ sent representation to attend The RCR Association Board of Directors meeting,
Petawawa.
18 Nov. RHQ supported the fall meeting of the REC.
30 Nov. The RM participated in The RCR Museum Board of Advisors meeting by VTC.
4-9 Dec. RHQ pers deployed to Kingston and London to conduct ROIC.
12 Dec. RHQ supported an extraordinary meeting of the REC, Petawawa & VTC.
12-14 Dec. Regimental Warehouse TAV to London, annual stock-taking/verification of The RCR
Museum Gift Shop.
14 Dec. RHQ supported the winter session of the Regimental Senate, Petawawa.
RHQ EVENTS/ACTIVITIES NEXT FOUR WEEKS
17 Dec 16 – 9 Jan 17. Block Leave, RHQ pers return to work on 10 Jan.
COLONEL-OF-THE-REGIMENT (COTR) SCHEDULE
18 Nov. Attended Regimental Executive Committee by VTC, Ottawa.
28-30 Nov. Attended the IODP 1.2 Regimental Badging, Inf School Dinner and visit to 2 RCR
Gagetown.
1 Dec. Attended The RCR Association Ottawa branch dinner, Ottawa.
5-6 & 8-9 Dec. Attended ROIC, Kingston.
14 Dec. Attended Regimental Senate and 1&3 RCR Regt Birthday Mess Dinner, Petawawa.
15 Dec. Attended 2 RCR Regt Birthday Mess Dinner, Gagetown.
17 Dec. Attended 4 RCR Regt Birthday Mess Dinner, London, ON.
1/8

RETIREMENT/DWD EVENTS
Serial
Rank, Initials
& Surname
Date &
Time of
event
1. Col R.B. Ewing 5 Jan 17,
1500 hrs
2. Sgt C. Wagner 10 Feb 17,
1200 hrs
3. WO J.D. Doyle Feb 2017,
date &
time
unknown
REGIMENTAL EVENTS
Location OPI with contact info Senior RCR
representative
attending (if
known)
Vimy Officers’
Mess, CFB
Kingston
Annapolis
Mess,
Greenwood
Meaford, ON
Lt(N) Patricia Gurnsey, (613)
541-5010 ext 3509.
PO1 Dempsey at 902-765-1494
Ext 5513 or by email at
mike.dempsey@forces.gc.ca
Terence.VonStackelberg@forces
.gc.ca
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
5 Dec 16. 2 RCR’s planned hosting of the Regimental Sculptor, Mr. Christian Corbett, was cancelled
due to the ill health of the latter. To be rescheduled in the New Year.
21 Dec 16. Presentation of the Gregg Award. The regiment’s highest award for service was
presented to two members of The RCR Association by the Hon LCol of 4 RCR, Col Pettipas, on
behalf of the regiment. Captain R.T. Walsh (ret’d) received his award at the annual regimental
birthday luncheon held by the London branch of The RCR Association. The other recipient, Captain
Cliff Collison (ret’d), was unable to attend the birthday luncheon due to ill health and the Gregg
Award was received on his behalf by his son. HRH the Duke of Edinburgh had been notified of the
pending awards in September and he wrote to the Colonel of the Regiment in November to offer his
congratulations to Captains Walsh and Collison.
RHQ PRIORITY OF WORK
1. Regimental Website
The website working committee completed its work in mid-December and the new regimental website
went live on 21 Dec – still located at www.thercr.ca . The website is owned and operated by The RCR
Association and comments and suggestions regarding the website may be addressed to their OPI. The
Regimental Adjutant remains the OPI for comments/issues concerning the Serving Component aspect of
the Regimental Website. A re-designed Regimental Warehouse on-line shopping site, which will
continue to be owned and managed by RHQ, will likely go live in January and will be accessible via a
link on the regimental website.
The new regimental website features an updated look & feel with a clean, un-cluttered design. Much of
the historical information concerning the regiment has been removed from the new website with the intent
that the content will eventually be transferred to The RCR Museum website. In addition, although it is
transparent to the public user, the administrator facing portion of the website contains a great deal of
added functionality which will allow The RCR Association to digitally update and maintain their
membership database, permit payment of Association membership dues and provide for mass e-mail
communication to the membership. Training for selected administrators will take place in the New Year.
On behalf of the regiment, RHQ wishes to extend its thanks to the Website Working Committee for their
work over the past six months: Col A.T. Ruff (Chair), LCol P.A. Lockhart, Maj J.E.R. MacInnis
2/8

(Association rep), Maj B.J. Wright (RHQ Rep) and Maj Cam Cambert (ret’d) (RCR Trust rep). Last but
not least, RHQ recognizes the special debt owed to Colonel Sandy McQuarrie (ret’d) who was the
committee’s guiding light and whose dedication, appreciation for the possibilities of internet technology,
enthusiasm and wisdom brought the project in on time and on budget.
2. 2015 Pro Patria
The print edition was received at RHQ on 30 Nov – distribution began immediately and bulk distribution
to 1, 2 & 3 RCR, The RCR Association (for distr to members), The RCR Museum and to some ERE
personnel was complete by 15 Dec. Distribution to remaining ERE personnel will be completed in the
New Year. The Regimental Adjutant’s will now turn his attention to the production of the 2016 Pro
Patria for which returns are due to RHQ on 15 Jan.
3. Staff Estimate – The RCR Pipes & Drums
On 18 Nov the study’s deadline was extended to 12 Dec at which time the REC held an extraordinary
meeting & VTC to receive a briefing on the estimate’s findings, followed by a further Info Briefing to
Regimental Senate on 14 Dec. Regt Senate gave further direction to the Chair of the REC for further staff
action which will be reflected in the Senate Minutes (TBI).
4. CONPLAN FORTH BRIDGE
No change from September SITREP: “New direction was received from CA HQ on 26 Jul. The CA
order, dated 11 Apr 16, amends some details from the previous CJOC direction including the dress (now
Full Dress 1B vice Service Dress) and gives additional details for the organization of the Canadian
memorial service. RHQ will amend the regiment’s CONPLAN and hold in readiness”. RHQ has been
receiving regular updates from 4 Div HQ on the regimental net and is prepared to action the CONPLAN
on order.
5. Implementation of The RCR Regimental Sports Sponsorship Program
Repeated from the RHQ October SITREP: “The subject program was approved by REC on 28 Jun and
ratified by Regimental Senate on 30 Jun. On 12 Oct The RCR Trust notified RHQ that funding was
available for the subject program and RHQ issued an announcement to the regiment on 13 Oct; details are
re-attached here for information. Note that due to the late release of the regimental announcement, the
deadline for this year’s returns to RHQ has been extended to 30 Nov vice 31 Oct.”
Four applications were received by the first week of December and were approved for payment as
follows:
Cpl K. Athanasopoulos, 1 RCR;
Lt J.R.D. Woodgate, 2 RCR;
MWO W.K. Hunter, ERE (5 CDSG); and
WO G.A. Killan, ERE (RCSU(A)).
The number of applications for this inaugural year of the program was low (four grants issued out of a
potential maximum of 15), likely because many elements of the regiment were in the field at the time the
program was announced, however, it is also clear from feedback to RHQ that in many cases the
information simply did not penetrate to all corners of the regiment – battalions as well as ERE. The takeup
rate will likely increase as the program becomes more widely known in the regiment. End of reporting
for this item.
2017 RSOs Extract - Application Form -
Regt Sports Sponsorship Regt Program Sports Sponsorship Program
3/8

6. Implementation of CAO 33-19
On 1 Nov follow-up discussions with 4 Div HQ indicated that public funding for the maintenance of
NPP-acquired tunics (all of the regiment’s current holdings) will likely not be authorized. Such direction
is consistent with the current legal and administrative separation between public and NPP holdings and
implies that current regimental SOPs will continue (i.e. Full Dress holdings will continue to be
maintained at Regimental Fund expense). Only publicly-acquired Full Dress uniforms, once authorized
for NMSO procurement (fy 18+?), will be maintainable at crown expense. An update was provided to the
REC at their 18 Nov meeting (see REC RoD at para 7) and the issue was discussed at Regimental Senate
on 14 Dec. REC gave further direction to enable RHQ’s management of Full Dress Stores and RSOs will
be amended accordingly. End of reporting for this item.
7. Regimental Council
REC. The Autumn meetings of the REC were conducted in Petawawa and by VTC to out-stations
on 18 Nov and 12 Dec – minutes are attached for information.
REC Record of
Decisions 18 Nov and 12 Dec 16
RHQ staff correspondence was exchanged with DHH following-up from the 28 June REC: the
issue regarding the regiment’s practice of the sword drill movement “Eyes Right (Left) at the
Quick March” was pursued with DHH indicating the regiment’s preference to continue
executing the movement by lowering the tip of the sword (as for a Full Salute while at the
position of Attention), contrary to the provisions of A-PD-201-000/PT-000 CF Manual of Drill
& Ceremonial which states that the sword remains at the carry. DHH’s reply indicated that the
regiment was not restricted from continuing to follow its regimental practice consistent with the
regiment’s standing orders. The 2017 edition of RSOs have been amended to reflect this.
Regimental Senate. Regimental Senate was conducted in Petawawa on 14 Dec. Minutes to be
issued. Following the meeting Col R.B. Ewing completed his handover as Chair REC to Col J.S.
Shipley.
8. New Regimental Colour
RHQ received the preliminary artwork from the Canadian Heraldic Authority (CHA) through DHH on 9
Dec. RHQ verified the artist’s rendition against the initial electronic version approved by the Regimental
Colonel on 1 Apr 16: the number of battle honours and their placement are correct and the number of
maple leaves on the internal wreath are consistent with the Regimental Senate’s Dec 2015 direction. The
Regimental Colonel signed off on 12 Dec and the document was returned to DHH the same day (see
attached). Next steps: CHA will create final artwork which will go to Rideau Hall for the Governor-
General’s approval after which the design will go to DHH to raise the production contract. New
Regimental Colours completed not before 2019.
RCR Colour Prelim
Artwork
4/8

9. Lieutenant-General J.E. Vance Leadership Awards
Selection of the 2016 LGen Vance Awards took place at Regimental Senate on 14 Dec. The winners
were Captain J. Bloess and Sergeant R.D. Ritch, both of 1 RCR. The 2017 edition of RSOs will be
amended accordingly.
10. Full Dress Stores
Swap of 2 RCR Full Dress holdings (20 sets) took place in November in order to effect
accounting, maintenance and life cycling.
11. 2017 Regimental Standing Orders
The 2017 edition of RSOs are in draft. With the assistance of personnel provided by 1 RCR a photo shoot
was conducted at 4 CDSG Grsn Photo on 21 Nov to provide further detail for the orders of dress
described in Chapter 16 – Dress. The 2017 edition will likely be issued in March 2017; until that time the
2016 edition Mod 1-16 remains in force and is available electronically at the RHQ ACIMS site:
http://acims.mil.ca/org/rhq_the_rcr/OfficialDocuments/Forms/AllItems.aspx
12. Regimental Archivist
Priority of work:
Afghanistan Battle Honours. On 20 Sep DHH requested additional information from the regiment
concerning The RCR Battle Honours Submission, specifically the recommendation for a campaign
honour to be styled KANDAHAR. On 28 Sep the Regt Archivist was tasked with compiling a
summary list of all engagements and actions involving RCR elements in Kandahar Province. The
completed document was submitted to DHH in early Dec. End or reporting for this item.
Biography. The Regt Archivist completed work on biographies for the Regimental portrait-bust
selection.
Photo Gallery Update. Obtaining Pre-Korea, WWII and post 1990’s CO’s photos to update RHQ’s
rogues’ gallery.
Vol 3 History Committee. Work is ongoing in the Regt Archivist’s role as Secretary to the Vol 3
History Committee.
1 RCR Conference Room. At the request of 1 RCR, the Regt Archivist is working to identify all 1
RCR valour award recipients for a planned Conference Room theme update.
13. Regimental Competitions
On 27 Oct, 2 CMBG HQ advised that the plan for the 2017 Ex Olympian Bear (Bde Sports Competition)
is to run the event during Ex Rugged Bear in Wainwright during the Bde deployment. This imposes a
degree of difficulty on running the regimental competitions in Petawawa in March 2017 as the regiment’s
plan had been to use the Ex OB concentration as the main event on which to financially piggy-back the
regimental competitions. The regimental plan will now likely include running the Spry Competition
under control of the battalions in 2017 and deferring the drill competitions (drill, sword and pacestick) to
2018, consistent with RSOs which state that the competitions are held bi-annually, i.e. alternating
between the Drill competitions and the Spry. At this time all regimental competition trophies have been
collected at RHQ for cleaning, refurbishment and cleaning.
14. The RCR Gate, Halifax
No new information – RHQ continues to follow developments as they occur with updates from wellplaced
ERE Royal Canadians in Halifax.
5/8

15. Presentation of copy of HRH bust to Rideau Hall
RM/National Capital Commission follow-up discussion on 3 Nov. The NCC advises that there is no
donor event planned at this time, however, they acknowledged the presentation of the bust of HRH and
indicated that they are tracking three names for invitation to such an event, possibly at some time in late
2017.
16. Administration of Regimental Civilian Employees
The REC was briefed on the issue at its 18 Nov meeting and selected COA 3 – payroll management by a
third party provider. RHQ will notify CFM&WS of the decision and begin implementation in the New
Year.
17. Regimental Warehouse
Warehouse Revenue – October 2016. Regimental Warehouse financials are published one month in
arrears:
Location Sales Profit
Warehouse $5,190.06 $1,151.48
Gift Shop $3,938.60 $1,095.54
Canex Meaford $272.15 $5.25
Canex Gagetown $448.36 $121.41
Canex Petawawa $751.66 $182.15
Canex Kingston $102.42 $20.31
Canex Ottawa $63.76 $16.19
Canex.ca $15.99 $2.99
$10,783.00 $2,595.32
Warehouse Revenue – November 2016.
Location Sales Profit
Warehouse $8,504.49 $1,835.38
Gift Shop $3,776.57 $1,202.29
Canex Meaford $0.00 $0.00 2
Canex
Gagetown
$606.38 $157.89
Canex
Petawawa
$1,017.31 $242.26
Canex Kingston $148.46 $38.66
Canex Ottawa $206.34 $65.25
Canex.ca $33.96 $7.22
$14,293.51 $3,548.95
1
Low profit figure reflects the re-sale of soldier benefit items (“VCP”) to The RCR Fund General Account and the re-sale of
regimental items to bn kit shops at cost.
2
CANEX Meaford had not reported by the start of RHQ stand-down for block leave.
In Nov, the Regimental Warehouse paid off its $20k loan to The RCR Fund which had been used to
finance a bulk purchase of infantry swords for re-sale. This leaves the Regimental Warehouse with
6/8

two items of debt yet to be cleared – the 1 RCR “Legacy” Statues (purchase directed by the REC in
2013) and the Ontario graphic license plates (purchase directed by the REC in 2014).
The deadline for the regiment’s contract with the Province of Ontario for the production of regimental
graphic license plates was 30 Nov. The contract was allowed to lapse in accordance with the REC’s
28 June 16 direction. RHQ will sign the contract termination in January.
18. Regimental Museum
Remembrance Day 11 Nov. The Army Commander visited The RCR Museum on Remembrance
Day hosted by LCol D.G. Fearon, COS 31 CBG, senior Royal Canadian on station.
Afghanistan Oral History Project. The REC was briefed at its 18 Nov meeting at which time it
voted an additional $10k to complete the project with the current contractor. Cols Mialkowski,
Walker and Barrett were interviewed in Petawawa 13-14 Dec. Additional interviews will take
place in Toronto at CFC on 8 Jan 17 (MGen Thompson) and at 4 Div HQ on 9 Jan (MGen
Lavoie). Staff contacts to schedule Gen Vance’s interview are ongoing.
Service Level Agreement. No change. SLA between The RCR Museum and 4 CDSG is in draft.
Museum Newsletter
Jan 2017
Group Tours 2017
19. RHQ Orderly Room & RVCC
In November the RHQ Orderly Room processed gifts for 11 releasing pers, one Occupational Transfer,
three births and one death.
REPORTS & RETURNS
RHQ Reports & Returns are updated as required and attached in each monthly RHQ SITREP for the
action/information of all Royal Canadians. The current version of RHQ Reports & Returns is dated 16
Nov 2016. RHQ Reports & Returns may also be found at RHQ’s ACIMS Sharepoint site on the Orderly
Room tab: http://acims.mil.ca/org/rhq_the_rcr/default.aspx
RHQ Reports &
Returns
REGIMENTAL/RHQ ORGANIZATION
Regimental
Organization
OTHER EVENTS
Nil
RM ASSESSMENT/COMMENTS
NSTR.
7/8

B.J. Wright
Maj
RM
4350
Distr List
Chair REC
Regt Secretary
Info
Senior Serving Royal Canadian
Regt Senate//COTR/Chair/Members
1 RCR//CO/DCO/OC Duke’s Coy/Adjt/RSM/DSM
2 RCR//CO/DCO/Adjt/RSM/DSM
3 RCR//CO/DCO/Adjt/RSM/DSM
4 RCR//CO/DCO/Adjt/RSM/DSM
ERE//RCR Colonels/RCR COs/Regt Mentors
Chair, The RCR Association
Chair, The RCR Trust
Regimental Museum//Chair, Board of Advisors/Executive Director/Members
RHQ//Regt Archives
8/8