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Jessie Wyllie, Promotion de la santé du SMFC — Un Canadien sur cinq souffre d'une maladie mentale, mais cinq sur cinq d'entre nous ont une santé mentale #MyStory La Semaine de sensibilisation à la santé mentale vise à promouvoir des comportements et des attitudes qui favorisent le bien-être et la santé mentale, et à créer une culture de compréhension et d'acceptation au sein des Forces maritimes du Pacifique (FMAR(P)). Au cours de la dernière année, le groupe de travail sur le bien-être mental et social de la Stratégie de santé et de bien-être des FMAR(P) a travaillé d'arrache-pied à l'installation de six magnifiques bancs de bien-être. Ces bancs ont été placés à divers endroits de Naden et de l'arsenal maritime (voir la carte pour les emplacements spécifiques). L'objectif de ces bancs est de réduire le stress en offrant un espace extérieur aux personnes pour qu'elles puissent profiter d'une pause bien-être et favoriser le lien social et l'inclusion. Cette année, le thème de la semaine de la santé mentale est "Mon histoire". Si nous reconnaissons qu'un Canadien sur cinq souffre d'une maladie mentale ou d'un problème de santé mentale, chacun d'entre nous a une santé mentale et sa propre histoire. Il est très important de trouver des moyens de prendre soin de notre santé mentale, qui sont propres à chacun d'entre nous. Trouvez l'inspiration et des idées sur les façons de " vivre au vert " auprès de certains membres de la communauté des FAC ! Vivez-vous dans le vert ? Capitaine de vaisseau Sébastien Richard "Personnellement, j'utilise le sport comme moyen de soulager le stress pour rester au vert, ainsi que les longues promenades avec mon chien ou les randonnées à vélo.   Lcol (Padre) Catherine Askew "Pour rester dans le vert, je fais du perlage traditionnel cri. C'est ainsi que j'ai retrouvé une partie de mon identité et de ma culture alors que nous nous éloignons de l'histoire des pensionnats.   Le s.é.-m. Lia MacDonald "Je vais courir, je joue à...

SISIP Financial — Whether you’re preparing to relocate, looking to refresh your budget, or trying to maintain your current lifestyle, these tips can help maximize every dollar you earn. 1. Track your spending Before you know where you can ‘trim the fat’, you want to identify what you’re currently spending money on. Note how you spend money each month and where you may be seeing the biggest price increases on household goods and services. Look for fluctuations in spending. Are there months with many birthdays when you may need more for gifts? Or perhaps you redirect spending when a member is on tour? Childcare costs may increase temporarily, for example, but you find you’re spending less on gas. 2. Create a budget Having a budget may seem restrictive, but a money plan buys more freedom. Sound cliché? With an accurate plan, you can avoid impulse purchases and consider where to spend less, how to pay down debt quicker and save money. Tip: Look at hidden costs such as subscriptions and auto-payments. Are you using that museum pass or streaming service, or have you delayed cancelling? Some subscription service providers will allow you to pause temporarily in the summer months or when you’re deployed and unable to take full advantage of the service. 3. Pay down debt faster Every Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member and veteran gets free financial advice through SISIP Financial. Ask your advisor if you’re in a good financial position to pay more than minimum payments on your debt, especially on high-interest loans such as credit cards. For mortgages and lines of credit, you could benefit from boosting payments now, especially if you’re locked in at a low payback interest rate. You’ll thank yourself when you renew. 4. Look for deals on everything CAF members, veterans and their families...

Financier du RARM 1. Suivez vos dépenses Avant de savoir où vous pouvez " couper le gras ", vous devez déterminer ce pour quoi vous dépensez actuellement de l'argent. Notez comment vous dépensez votre argent chaque mois et où vous constatez les plus fortes augmentations de prix sur les biens et services ménagers. Recherchez les fluctuations des dépenses. Y a-t-il des mois où il y a beaucoup d'anniversaires et où vous avez besoin de plus d'argent pour les cadeaux ? Ou peut-être réorientez-vous vos dépenses lorsqu'un membre de votre famille est en déplacement ? Les frais de garde d'enfants peuvent augmenter temporairement, par exemple, mais vous vous apercevez que vous dépensez moins en essence. 2. Établir un budget L'établissement d'un budget peut sembler contraignant, mais un plan financier permet d'acquérir une plus grande liberté. Ça semble cliché ? Avec un plan précis, vous pouvez éviter les achats impulsifs et envisager où dépenser moins, comment rembourser vos dettes plus rapidement et économiser de l'argent. Conseil : Examinez les coûts cachés tels que les abonnements et les paiements automatiques. Utilisez-vous cet abonnement à un musée ou à un service de streaming, ou avez-vous retardé l'annulation de votre abonnement ? Certains fournisseurs de services d'abonnement vous permettent de faire une pause temporaire pendant les mois d'été ou lorsque vous êtes déployé et que vous ne pouvez pas profiter pleinement du service. 3. Remboursez vos dettes plus rapidement Tous les membres et vétérans des Forces armées canadiennes (FAC) ont droit à des conseils financiers gratuits par l'entremise de la Financière SISIP. Demandez à votre conseiller si vous êtes en bonne position financière pour payer plus que les paiements minimums sur vos dettes, en particulier sur les prêts à taux d'intérêt élevé comme les cartes de crédit. Dans le cas des hypothèques et des marges...

[caption id="attachment_32469" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Grilse bell stolen from Langford front yard.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — A Langford family continues their hunt to recover a decades-old family heirloom – a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ship’s bell stolen from their front yard. The large brass bell, which weighs approximately 50lbs, once belonged to the former Balao-class submarine HMCS Grilse during the height of the Cold War. Following the ship’s decommissioning in 1969, the bell was gifted to Clyde Rose, a Grilse engine room worker. Since then, it hung in front of the Rose family home from a steel lamp post. Michael Rose, Clyde’s son, says the bell disappeared sometime between Apr. 16 and 17. “I was shocked when I first noticed the bell had been removed from the post,” he said. “Dad cherished that bell and had it professionally polished and cared for, and even went to the trouble of replacing the bell’s knotted rope.” Clyde served 35 years in the RCN, mostly as a mechanical engineer, and retired at the rank of Chief Engine Room Artificer (ERA) in charge of ship’s engine rooms. A bell from a decommissioned ship is one of the many items aboard often gifted to the crew. The memories it provided after its days in the Navy are priceless, Michael said.  “I grew up in that house and whenever Dad’s friends from the Navy would come to the house to visit, they would ring the bell at the top of the driveway to let us know they had arrived,” he said. Clyde has recently moved into a senior’s home. In recent weeks, Michael and his wife Maureen had been emptying the home of its contents. When Michael returned to Clyde’s home on the morning of Apr. 17, he was disappointed to see the bell had been ripped from its post. “Dad had taken great effort to secure the bell to the post so it couldn’t be stolen but the thieves simply cut the top of the post...

Peter Mallett, Rédacteur en chef — Une famille de Langford poursuit sa quête pour retrouver un héritage familial vieux de plusieurs décennies : une cloche de navire de la Marine royale canadienne (MRC) volée dans sa cour. La large cloche en laiton, qui pèse environ 50 livres, appartenait à l'ancien sous-marin de classe Balao, le NCSM Grilse, au plus fort de la guerre froide. Après avoir décommissionné le navire en 1969, la cloche a été offerte à Clyde Rose, un ouvrier de la salle des machines du Grilse. Depuis, elle est suspendue à un lampadaire en acier devant la maison de la famille Rose. Michael Rose, le fils de Clyde, affirme que la cloche a disparu entre le 16 et le 17 avril. "J'ai été choqué lorsque j'ai remarqué pour la première fois que la cloche n’était plus sur le poteau", a-t-il déclaré. "Papa chérissait cette cloche et l'avait fait polir et entretenir par des professionnels. Il s'était même donné la peine de remplacer la corde à nœuds de la cloche. Clyde a servi 35 ans dans la MRC, principalement en tant qu'ingénieur mécanicien, et a pris sa retraite avec le grade d'artificier en chef de la salle des machines (ERA) à titre de responsable des salles des machines du navire. Une cloche provenant d'un navire décommissionné est l'un des nombreux objets offerts à l'équipage. Les souvenirs qu'elle a laissés après son passage dans la marine sont inestimables, a déclaré Michael.  "J'ai grandi dans cette maison et chaque fois que les amis marins de mon père venaient nous rendre visite, ils sonnaient la cloche en haut de l'allée pour nous faire savoir qu'ils étaient arrivés", raconte-t-il. Clyde a récemment emménagé dans une maison de retraite. Ces dernières semaines, Michael et sa femme Maureen ont vidé la maison de son contenu. Lorsque Michael...

[caption id="attachment_32462" align="aligncenter" width="595"] LCdr Tyler Smith, Commanding Officer, HMCS Edmonton[/caption] Captain Chelsea Dubeau, MARPAC PAO — After nearly three months at sea, the crew of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Edmonton received a warm welcome home from friends and family following their arrival in Esquimalt on Friday, April 28. The ship was deployed on Operation Caribbe, Canada’s contribution to U.S.-led Enhanced Counter-narcotics Operations in the Eastern Pacific. Since its departure from Esquimalt on Feb. 13, the ship and crew visited several ports along the coast of North and Central America, conducted patrols, and worked alongside partner nations. There were several highlights along the way, but the most impactful came as HMCS Edmonton was nearing the end of its deployment: the successful interception of a suspicious vessel that resulted in the interdiction of 755 kilograms of cocaine (worth an estimated street value of $49.5 million CAD). At the time of the interdiction, HMCS Edmonton had been operating as part of a Surface Action Group (SAG) alongside two U.S. Coast Guard Cutters (USCGC) Active and Benjamin Bottoms, and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, embarked on USCGC Active. “It was like watching an action movie up close,” said Sailor Third Class (S3) Vincent Tan, a Naval Combat Information Operator (NCIOP) on board HMCS Edmonton, who helped track the vessel from the Operations Room. “I also acted as lookout for any bales of contraband in the water using the big eyes and binoculars.” One of the best parts of a Navy deployment – outside of contributing to maritime security – is the travel. Fortunately, this deployment delivered both.  “I could never take a family vacation growing up or travel much until I was in my 20s,” said Sailor First Class (S1) Eaden Bowler, a boatswain on board HMCS Edmonton. “So, travelling and seeing new parts of the world for my job is a great reward. And disrupting the flow of drugs coming in is why I really wanted to come on this deployment.” “The crew is...

[caption id="attachment_32462" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Capc Tyler Smith, commandant du NCSM Edmonton[/caption] Capitaine Chelsea Dubeau, OAP MARPAC — Après près de trois mois en mer, l'équipage du Navire canadien de Sa Majesté (NCSM) Edmonton a reçu un accueil chaleureux de la part de ses amis et de sa famille à son arrivée à Esquimalt le vendredi 28 avril. Le navire a été déployé dans le cadre de l'opération Caribbe, la contribution du Canada aux opérations renforcées de lutte contre les stupéfiants menées par les États-Unis dans le Pacifique Est. Depuis son départ d'Esquimalt le 13 février, le navire et son équipage ont visité plusieurs ports le long de la côte de l'Amérique du Nord et de l'Amérique centrale, ont effectué des patrouilles et ont travaillé avec des nations alliées. Plusieurs faits marquants sont survenus en cours de route, mais le plus important s'est produit alors que le NCSM Edmonton approchait de la fin de son déploiement : l'interception réussie d'un navire suspect qui a permis d'intercepter 755 kilogrammes de cocaïne (d'une valeur marchande estimée à 49,5 millions de dollars canadiens). Au moment de l'interception, le NCSM Edmonton faisait partie d'un groupe d'action de surface (GAS) aux côtés de deux garde-côtes américains (USCGC) Active et Benjamin Bottoms, et d'un hélicoptère MH-65 Dolphin, embarqué à bord de l'USCGC Active. "C'était comme regarder un film d'action de près", a déclaré le matelot de troisième classe (mat 3) Vincent Tan, opérateur d’équipement d’informations de combat  (OP EICM) à bord du NCSM Edmonton, qui a aidé à suivre le navire depuis la salle des opérations. "J'ai également fait le guet pour repérer les ballots de contrebande dans l'eau à l'aide de mes jumelles. L'un des meilleurs aspects d'un déploiement avec la Marine - en dehors de la contribution à la sécurité maritime - est le voyage. Heureusement, ce...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Louis Beaudet, General Safety and Environmental Officer at Naval Personnel Training Group (NPTG), needs little convincing this year’s Navy Bike Ride will be a success. “The ride is always enjoyable and creates camaraderie among friends; it also allows to meet new people and make new friends,” he said. Founded in 2016, the Navy Bike Ride encourages the well-being and health of communities and families through non-competitive cycling tours. The event will make its in-person return this year replacing virtual events held for the past three years during COVID-19 restrictions. This year will also mark the first time the Navy Bike Ride will be held on the West Shore, with previous events held in Esquimalt and on the E&N Rail Trail. The non-competitive, family-themed event is open to all military and civilian cyclists. PO1 Beaudet has been with the Canadian Armed Forces for 35 years and has participated in the Navy Bike Ride since 2017. In October 2022, PO1 Beaudet joined Martime Forces Pacific’s (MARPAC) Active Living Working Group and became engaged in promoting the benefits of fitness and the many programs available to military members and their families. “I try my best to convince others from the Base to see the benefits of cycling and abandon their gas-guzzling vehicles and the stress of commuting in exchange for a bicycle,” he said. “Riding my bicycle always brings me peace of mind so I’m really looking forward to sharing my love of cycling with other members of the Defence Team and the entire community at the Navy Bike Ride.” During the lockdown when the Navy Bike Ride went to a virtual format, PO1 Beaudet led all cyclists aboard HMCS Vancouver in a unit cycling challenge to see who could log the longest distance. The 52-year-old, originally from Trois-Rivieres, Que., has been a recreational cyclist all of his life. When he moved to the West Coast in 1998, cycling became a larger part of his...

Peter Mallett, Rédacteur — Le maître de première classe (m 1) Louis Beaudet, responsable de la sécurité générale et de l'environnement au Groupe du personnel et de l’instruction de la Marine (GPIM), n'a pas besoin d'être convaincu du succès du Défi-vélo de la marine de cette année. "La randonnée est toujours agréable et crée de la camaraderie entre amis ; elle permet également de rencontrer de nouvelles personnes et de se faire de nouveaux amis", a-t-il déclaré. Fondée en 2016, le Défi-vélo de la Marine encourage le bien-être et la santé des communautés et des familles par le biais de randonnées cyclistes non compétitives. L'événement fera son retour en personne cette année, remplaçant les événements virtuels organisés ces trois dernières années pendant les restrictions de la COVID-19. C'est également la première fois que le Défi-vélo de la Marine se déroulera sur la côte ouest, les événements précédents ayant eu lieu à Esquimalt et sur le sentier ferroviaire E&N. Cet événement familial et non compétitif est ouvert à tous les cyclistes militaires et civils. Le m 1 Beaudet fait partie des Forces armées canadiennes depuis 35 ans et participe au Défi-vélo de la Marine depuis 2017. En octobre 2022, le m 1 Beaudet s'est joint au groupe de travail sur la vie active des Forces maritimes du Pacifique (FMAR(P)) et s'est engagé à promouvoir les bienfaits du conditionnement physique et les nombreux programmes offerts aux militaires et à leurs familles. "Je fais de mon mieux pour convaincre d'autres membres de la base de voir les avantages du vélo et d'abandonner leur véhicule énergivore et le stress des trajets quotidiens pour une bicyclette", a-t-il déclaré. "Je suis donc impatient de partager mon amour du vélo avec les autres membres de l'équipe de la défense et l'ensemble de la communauté à l'occasion du Défi-vélo de...

Thomas Goenczi, Lookout Contributor — We kind of know when the right time is to go to therapy, sometimes we’re sort of ready for it, but can we ever be certain? Deciding when to see a counsellor is slightly different from going to see a doctor. Typically, you see your doctor because something with your health needs immediate attention. Even though there has been traction with the importance of mental health at large, it is difficult to gauge when one should seek help. Deciding to seek mental health support isn’t as easy as waking up one day and looking in the mirror, and saying, ‘Hmm… today seems like a good day to get my head checked out’. There is a process to making that choice. Sometimes, the route to making that decision is almost instantaneous, but sometimes that decision is comprised of an arduous internal war. Still, there are four common considerations one can make. Rationality. At times, what concludes our inner debate of whether or not we should go to counselling is being able to build up a case cognitively to justify it. Making the decision to go to therapy is no small feat. Sometimes, the mental gymnastics we perform would win us a gold medal at the Rationality Olympics. ‘I don’t have time’, ‘My issues aren’t big enough’, ‘Once I start working on myself, I’ll have to commit to changing’ and ‘I’m just not ready yet’ have all been deployed successfully at one point in time. It is why strictly using rationality to decide to come to therapy is often not enough, especially if one wants it to be successful. CHECKING IN WITH YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH Questions to ask yourself: Is my body functioning to a level where I am capable of attaining my goals? Are there nagging injuries that...

[caption id="attachment_32410" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson, Commander MARPAC/JTF(P), presents the Commander Royal Canadian Navy Unit Commendation to Maryse Neilson, Health Promotion Manager and member of the MARPAC Health and Wellness Strategy.[/caption] The award, presented April 11, stated: “Since its creation in 2012, the Maritime Forces Pacific Health and Wellness Team has served the Formation and led Royal Canadian Navy initiatives over the past decade. This robust team of 90 personnel have prioritized five key areas: active living, addiction-free living, healthy nutrition, organizational wellness, and mental and social wellness. Many of these Formation initiatives have been adopted throughout the Navy and Canadian Armed Forces, including top fuel menus for Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), the Healthy Nutrition Environment Policy, and the creation of the cannabis policy posters. Their promotion of health, wellness, and positive space awareness programs on behalf of the Maritime Forces Pacific Defence Community have made enormous contributions to the overall physical and mental well-being of Royal Canadian Navy personnel.” Signed by CRCN, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee  

  [caption id="attachment_32407" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Post-war Wrens doing drill at HMCS Cornwallis. Photos courtesy of the RCN)[/caption] A/SLt Pascale Guindon, HMCS Carleton — Canada’s Naval Reserve history is full of courage and sacrifice. As part of the Naval Reserve Centennial, we are proud to commemorate our heritage and the legacy left by those before us, including the trailblazing women of the naval reserve force who proved to the country, and themselves, their ability to serve with distinction, laying the foundation for greater gender equality in the Canadian Armed Forces. Oh merry, oh merry, oh merry are we; For we are the girls of the King’s Navy. When Canada’s Naval Reserve volunteer force was established in 1923, women were not included. It took a global conflict nearly 20 years later for the Navy to realize the value women bring to the service. The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) ships which fought for Canada and for freedom during the Second World War (1939-45) were crewed not only by Regular Force officers and sailors, but also by wartime volunteers. These volunteers were the men of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR), as well as the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve (RCNR), comprised primarily of professional sailors by trade. Canada’s wartime naval Volunteer Reserve force at peak strength was 78,000 strong. Along with this legion of men, however, was another notable group of citizen sailors which bolstered Canada’s naval contribution to the war effort: the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS). The WRCNS was a separate service, the members of which enlisted for the duration of hostilities, making it a reserve force. Established in July 1942, the WRCNS began recruiting women to serve in shore-based trades thus freeing men for active duty at sea. By the time it was disbanded in August 1946, nearly 7,000 Canadian women had served as ‘Wrens’ with the WRCNS. Stationed in R.C.N.V.R. Divisions The WRCNS interacted with Naval Reserve Divisions (NRD) across the country. From a tactical point of view, the responsibility...

SISIP Financial Esquimalt — Life insurance has many purposes. Primarily, insurance looks after your family or dependents if you’re no longer there to provide for them. The amount of insurance you need depends on many factors, including your occupation, lifestyle, income, assets, debts, the needs of your dependents, and affordability. Insurance needs are unique to the individual and may change as your life circumstances change. Only an insurance advisor can help determine what’s right for you. Here are some of the things they will consider. Occupation What you do in your day-to-day career is a consideration for insurers. Canadian Armed Forces members have an element of risk in their occupations, which is considered when determining the best insurance policy for you and your families. SISIP Financial offers life insurance policies with no exemptions for war and dangerous occupations. You may also have some employee benefits in place. Your insurance advisor can help you find the best policy to match your occupational needs and complement the coverage you have through your employer. Lifestyle Life can be adventurous, and you’ll want a policy that takes into account your pastimes. Maybe you’re a boating enthusiast, or you like rock climbing. Perhaps you spend your time off touring on all-terrain vehicles or snowmobiling. Insurance is a risk mitigation tool and you can choose coverage that takes into account your active lifestyle. Life insurance through SISIP Financial supports your lifestyle and offers policies that don’t exclude dangerous hobbies or occupations. Debts If something happens to you, you don’t want your family to struggle to pay money owing. A mortgage is often one of the biggest debts people carry. You may also have student loans, a line of credit or a car loan. When determining how much coverage you need, these are top factors. If you have...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The Period Poverty Challenge is on, encouraging friendly competition between the Royal Canadian Navy’s two bases in Halifax and Esquimalt. The gauntlet will determine which base can raise the most donations of menstrual hygiene products during the month of May. The civilian co-chairs of the Defence Women’s Advisory Organizations (DWAO) of Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) issued the challenge last week during a Microsoft Teams meeting. Donation boxes for menstrual hygiene products including pads, tampons and panty liners, menstrual cups and period panties, will be set up at strategic locations in Esquimalt and Halifax to support the United Way’s Period Promise Campaign. The contest begins May 1 and concludes on May 28, coinciding with World Menstrual Hygiene Day. “There is definitely some trash talking going on by both sides but there is no hiding from the truth as the ‘Best Coast’ is about to defeat the beast of the East,” said Vanessa Nicholson, event organizer for the Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) DWAO. Holly Scothorn, Civilian Co-Chair for Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARPAC), begged to differ. “No question, Halifax is going to win because Atlantic Canada is known to be super generous and much better at making charitable donations than the West,” she countered. The losing side will pay a bigger price than finishing in second place. As part of the challenge, the losing DWAO will be forced to toss their group’s military Champion into the cold waters of Halifax or Esquimalt Harbour. In Halifax, Captain (Navy) (Capt(N)) Jonathan Lafontaine has been put on notice that he may take the plunge into the not-so pristine waters of Halifax Harbour, while in Esquimalt, Capt(N) Peter Sproule is counting on the donations to avoid the chilly waters of the Pacific. Financial peril All good-natured trash talking aside,...

In partnership with the Defence Advisory Groups and the Director Anti-Racism Implementation, we are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the second cohort of the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) / Centre on Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) Mosaic Leadership Development Program, set to begin in June 2023. We are currently accepting applications from equity-seeking employees interested in participating in this 15-month long program that aims to remove barriers for diverse communities and develop future leaders. The Mosaic Leadership Development program: is a program for increasing diversity in leadership positions; is a federal public service-wide program; includes sponsorship, learning and experience-building components; provides assignments or secondment opportunities for participants; and provides successful participants an assessment for a potential appointment to an EX-01 position. Who is eligible to participate? Employees who have occupied a substantive position equivalent to EX minus 1 for at least one year; Employees who have neither qualified on an EX-01 process nor are currently in an EX-pool (Mosaic is centered on developing the skills and abilities related to the Key Leadership Competences for executives; those that are already in an EX-01 pool have already demonstrated these); and Employees who self-declare as a member of an equity-seeking group*. Employees do not need to have identified this prior, but self-declaration is required to apply to Mosaic. * Equity-seeking groups, for the purposes of Mosaic, means the four Employment Equity groups – women, Indigenous Peoples, members of visible minorities, and persons with a disability – subgroups within these four, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. All applications received by the deadline below will be reviewed in consultation with the Defence Advisory Groups and the Director Anti-Racism Implementation teams. Two eligible candidates will be nominated to the OCHRO / CDI. Once submitted, the OCHRO / CDI selection committee will choose...

[caption id="attachment_32390" align="alignnone" width="595"] Base Commander Captain (Navy) Jeffrey Hutchinson and Base Chief Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer Al Darragh salute after laying a wreath at the Esquimalt Cenotaph on April 16, 2023. Photo: Corporal Tristan Walach, Canadian Armed Forces.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The crew of HMCS Esquimalt and their family are in the thoughts and prayers of Victoria’s military community. A memorial service in the ship’s namesake city on Apr. 16 at Memorial Park paid tribute to the last Canadian warship lost in the Second World War and the 39 crew who died in the attack, 78 years to the day of the tragedy. “That HMCS Esquimalt went down within the view of Halifax reminds us the Second World War did not just happen over there,” said LCdr (ret’d) Gerry Pash. “Of the 24 Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ships lost during the Second World War, 11 went down in went down in Canadian and Newfoundland waters and some in the St. Lawrence River, only a few hours’ drive from Quebec City.” Many of those serving on board the diesel-powered Bangor-class minesweeper were members of the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR), emphasized Pash, the ceremony’s emcee. Esquimalt was on anti-submarine patrol, five miles off Chebucto Head on the morning of Apr. 16, 1945. The ship was struck by a torpedo fired from German Submarine U-190. The attack occurred just three weeks before the end of the war in Europe. ‘Many died of exposure’ An article on the website of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum entitled Within Sight of Shore by historian Robert C. Fisher gives a gripping blow-by-blow account of the attack. The author recalls how “poor sonar conditions off Halifax made the detection of submerged or bottomed U-Boats difficult at the best of times.” Only 27 of the minesweeper’s 71 crew survived.  Lieutenant (Lt) Robert MacMillan of the RCNVR, Esquimalt’s Commanding Officer, had orders to carry out their patrol and then rendezvous with HMCS Sarnia off...

[caption id="attachment_32370" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Protecteur. Photo: Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Robert Stirrup on commons.wikimedia.org[/caption] Thomas Goenczi — Like many before me and many after me, I left the Royal Canadian Navy looking forward to the future ahead. My claim to infamy was being a crew member on HMCS Protecteur when the engine room fire occurred. All the training we received beforehand more than likely saved our lives. I am forever grateful for every member of that ship. After the soot settled, the rumblings began. The question, 'how close were we really to sinking to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean?' permeated everyone’s mind. The fire and the precipitating thoughts and emotions became a psychic time bomb for me. Tick. Tock. Every distraction under the sun was deployed; I even started university again to try to delay the inevitable. You bet it worked; I felt invincible; I mean, I just survived an engine room fire on a 45-year-old tanker, how could I not be inflated? Six months after getting home, I began experiencing serious symptoms of Crohn’s disease. My symptoms eventually went into remission, but it was merely the calm before the storm. Tick. Tock. Three years later, I slipped into one of the darkest times in my life. Boom. I experienced depression for months until I eventually mustered the fortitude to go to the base hospital and seek help. To this day, I believe it took me just as much courage to walk to the base hospital for my mental health as it was to be a crew member on the Protecteur. My faith constantly waxed and waned throughout counselling. There were days I didn’t think I would make it. Then, finally, I decided to voluntarily release and move to Tofino to decompress. I eventually came back to Victoria and completed my Master’s in Counselling. This led me to open a private practice, Well Then Therapy, in the hopes of helping active duty members and veterans deal with some...

[caption id="attachment_32369" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Allison Verley is all smiles with her silver medal at the 2022 Club Crew World Dragon Boat Championships in Sarasota, Florida this past August where Allison Verley medalled in the premier division, receiving gold in the 2,000m and silver in both the 200m and 500m.[/caption] Ashley Evans, Strategic Communications Officer, FMF CB/CS — A workforce member at Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMF CB) is vying for the National Dragon Boat Team selection this May. Allison Verley, Acting Project Leader for HMCS Winnipeg and a member of The Gorging Dragons, an elite paddling team that’s part of the Vancouver Island Paddling Club, says she looks forward to the busy training schedule. “Competing at the Club Crew World Champions (CCWC) (one of the premiere events of the International Dragon Boating Federation) requires training lifestyle, dedication to the team, and having your eyes on the prize,” she says, adding that the team must finish in the top seven nationwide to even have the opportunity to compete, which is often a very tall task in Canada. The team won gold while representing Canada in the 2022 CCWC last July, an accomplishment achieved after years of training and dedication. Verley first paddled with the Navy Dragon Anchors, established by Rear-Admiral Buck in 2001, from 2011-2013 before joining the Gorging Dragons. She would train approximately three hours per week, but since joining the high-performance racing team with the VI Paddling Club, her training hours have increased to six hours per week in the team setting and two in a small one-person outrigger canoe. There is also a gym component for strength training, which adds another few hours per week. Now, she is vying for the National Team selection, with an upcoming camp in Tampa Bay, Florida, and a final Team Canada selection camp in Montreal this May. She said representing Canada has been the most rewarding experience while on the team. “Wearing a maple leaf on my jersey, holding my national flag on...

[caption id="attachment_32368" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Cadets and a Junior Canadian Ranger from across B.C. take a helicopter trip to Mount Helmcken to visit a Canadian Coast Guard tower as part of a multi-agency exercise on March 30 off the coast of the Trial Islands. Photo supplied.[/caption] Lt(N) Andrea Kroeker, Unit Public Affairs Representative — An opportunity of a lifetime knocked on the doors of 11 cadets and one Junior Canadian Ranger (JCR) across B.C. this past week. The youth, all 16- to 18-year-olds, played victims of a simulated on-water incident as part of a week-long Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Training Program off the coast of the Trial Islands. The cadets and JCR (CJCR) wore acting make-up and followed scripts while the CCG Fast Rescue Crafts or a U.S. Coast Guard vessel evacuated them back to Ogden Point in Victoria. The CJCRs enjoyed both the day on the water and learning how much communication is needed to facilitate this endeavour. The experience was eye-opening for these youth. The remainder of the week was just as informative. The group learned the many facets of the CCG while touring shops and interacting with the staff. While they saw the large red and white vessels that patrol the coast, the group also learned about many of the shore and support positions, such as IT specialists, electricians, carpenters, and metal fabricators that make all aids to navigation, radio towers and lighthouses. Many of these youth experienced their first helicopter ride ever when the CCG took them up to Mount Helmcken to see a radio communications tower; there, the group learned what happens during a malfunction or when maintenance is required. The radio towers receive and transmit data from the entire coast to centralized operators that control all traffic and relay the information to the necessary agencies. The group learned...

[caption id="attachment_32367" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Warrant Officer Dan Bodden of the Base’s Transition Centre rides his stationary bicycle during a fundraiser for Wounded Warriors Canada in February 2021. WO Bodden and Sergeant Mike Kotuk of CFB Trenton pedalled their bikes for 24 consecutive hours, logging 1,409 kilometres and raising close to $5,000 for mental health treatment and support programs for veterans and currently-serving members. Credit: Wounded Warriors Canada.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Warrant Officer (WO) Dan Bodden will soon embark on an arduous, around-the-clock cycling marathon to nowhere. During a spin-a-thon fundraiser for Wounded Warriors Canada, WO Bodden will be permitted to take bathroom breaks and change his clothing. Everything else he does, including eating, will be done while the wheels of his bike are spinning. The CFB Esquimalt Search and Rescue Technician will pedal on his smart trainer for 24 hours on April 21, estimating he will cover approximately 500 km. WO Bodden does have a final destination in mind, knowing his efforts will provide needed funding and awareness for the national mental health non-profit. “I want to continue to demonstrate that sports and all physical activity exercise our minds as well as bodies,” he said. “The other reason I am putting myself out there to people in our community and across the country is because Wounded Warriors Canada is a cause I feel very strongly about.” WO Bodden currently works remotely with the Directorate of Dive Safety via National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. He has set a fundraising target of $5,000. The monies he raises will also serve as his fundraising requirement to participate in Wounded Warriors Canada’s annual 2023 Battlefield Bike Ride (BBR) in Italy. It takes current and former military members to some of Europe’s most famous battle sites, war memorials and cemeteries. This year, on June 11-17, WO...

[caption id="attachment_32366" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sophie, a Grade 5 student from Glenlyon Norfolk School, shows off a knot she tied during her visit to Naval Fleet School (Pacific), Apr. 5. Photo: Peter Mallett/Lookout.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Five Grade 5 students from Glenlyon Norfolk School joined the Naval Fleet School (Pacific) Campus Support team on April 5 to learn the tricks of the trade, specifically  the art of tying knots. The visit to CFB Esquimalt helped the students in their How the World Works unit of study, which involves re-using common household items and materials into sustainable use products, including rope and knots. “It was really neat to learn all these knotting techniques and seeing how you use them in everyday life in the Navy,” said Juliet, one of the students. The students and their teacher were very impressed with what they had learned during their first-ever visit to a military base. Juliet’s classmate Kayci was also excited to learn. “The knotting techniques are very important for the right jobs,” Kayci said. “If you persevere, you can master them.” The students were welcomed by Lieutenant (Navy) Ellery Down, a Naval Warfare Officer who manages the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Sail program, and his assistant Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) (ret’d) John Haggis. Both served as the student’s instructors for their two-hour visit. The importance of rope work in a sailor’s daily life is fast becoming a lost art in the RCN, Lt(N) Down said. “The use of lines and the need for every sailor to know how to tie lots of knots has been reduced significantly since the end of the ‘Age of Sail,’” Lt(N) Down says. “Now, the only ones who really need to know knot tying are Boatswains, however onboard sailboats there will always be a need for all crew members to tie knots of various types.” Lt(N) Down explained to the students the most prominent of all knots onboard an RCN warship – the bowline knot, used to...

[caption id="attachment_32357" align="aligncenter" width="595"] (L–R) Commander (Cdr) Vincent Pellerin, incoming Commanding Officer of HMCS Winnipeg; Commodore David Mazur, Commanding Officer Canadian Fleet Pacific; Cdr Annick Fortin, outgoing Commanding Officer of HMCS Winnipeg during a Change of Command Ceremony held April 4.[/caption] Lt(N) Lyann Murdock-Finegold, HMCS Winnipeg — On April 4, HMCS Winnipeg held a Change of Command Ceremony. The crew thanked Commander (Cdr) Annick Fortin for her tireless work during the past year as Winnipeg’s captain and welcomed Cdr Vincent Pellerin to the helm. Cdr Fortin expressed her gratitude to the ship’s company for empowering each other and looking after one another to enable Winnipeg’s force employment and force generation.  Knowing that HMCS Winnipeg will be the first experience with sailing for many new members entering the Royal Canadian Navy, Cdr Vincent Pellerin is looking forward to training new young sailors and vows to support Winnipeg and the  crew in all respects continuously.

[caption id="attachment_32354" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Royal Canadian Navy Operation Caribbe 2023. Photo: Sailor First Class Heather Van Manen[/caption] MARPAC — His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Edmonton crew cooperated with the United States Coast Guard on an emergency sea turtle rescue while deployed on Operation Caribbe in the Eastern Pacific. The rescue occurred in the mid-morning hours of March 14 after the ship’s lookout – Sailor Second Class (S2) Bridget Erdmann – spotted a suspicious floating object during counter-narcotics patrols. S2 Erdmann wasted no time informing the ship’s officer of the watch, who manoeuvered the ship toward the object for closer inspection.  Edmonton then dispatched a small boat to investigate the object further for contraband and quickly determined the object to be an abandoned fishing buoy. Shortly thereafter, the boat’s crew discovered a distressed sea turtle entangled in the buoy’s gear. “As we were about to pull away we saw this big shell emerge, and, [realizing it was a turtle], immediately set to work cutting away the lines,” remarked Sailor First Class (S1) Evan Nevidomsky – the boat’s coxswain. “A whole bunch of fishing line was caught around its neck and flippers. It was a thick line too, so it took a while.” As S1 Nevidomsky held the boat in position alongside the float, two United States Coast Guard started cutting away nets and lines from the distressed creature. They successfully freed the turtle after a ten-minute effort. Abandoned fishing gear poses a constant threat to marine animals, and similar wildlife rescues are routinely conducted around the globe during Royal Canadian Navy operations. HMCS Edmonton conducted similar rescues in November 2018 during the ship’s last Operation Caribbe deployment, and crewmembers from HMCS Calgary made a similar sea turtle rescue during drug interdiction operations off the coast of Oman in May 2021. HMCS Edmonton...

Kateryna Bandura, Editor — Seven sailors from HMCS Vancouver conducted a namesake city visit March 2-3. The visit allowed members to share their experiences with Vancouverites during the ship’s previous year’s six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Lieutenant (Navy) Sean Ritchie, Vancouver’s Unit Public Affairs Representative, says trips such as this one are important in building [...]

SISIP — Last week, you met some of your SISIP Financial Advisors. This week, we want to introduce you to the rest of the team. We all play an integral role in what we offer: providing tailored advice and product solutions that enhance the financial health and security of all members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) communities and their families. Chris Fraser Our Insurance Expert, Chris helps all CAF members understand if and how much life insurance they need, given their specific personal and financial circumstances. In addition to 17 years at TD Canada Trust Bank and eight years at SISIP, Chris has a B.Comm specializing in finance from the University of Calgary. His lengthy career in financial services places him in the unique position to refer his clients to other subject matter experts as needed. Chris is a married father of two teenage daughters and two cats. When he's not attending his daughters’ dance performances, you can find him working on his latest DIY project, hiking or relaxing with an NFL football game. Craig York Our Financial Counselling Expert with over eight years as a Financial Counsellor and 10+ years in financial services. In 2017, Craig was named Credit Counsellor of the Year as the recipient of the Exceptional Service Award from Credit Counselling Canada. His background in banking as a mortgage specialist, financial advisor and branch supervisor gives him that extra depth of experience and insight, making him so effective in his job. Extremely passionate about financial literacy, he is relatable and makes any complex topic easy to understand. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Craig is a UVic alumnus and understands the financial challenges of living here. He spends his spare time with his two young children, reading or watching basketball. Erin Harwood and Helena Shelton And finally, your first contact with SISIP Financial in Esquimalt will be with Erin Harwood or Helena Shelton. Together, these two will address all your web inquiries, book all your meetings,...

[caption id="attachment_32328" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of Naval Reserve Unit HMCS Malahat showcase the benefits of a career in the Royal Canadian Navy to students at Camosun College Interurban Campus.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — For Master Sailor (MS) Ford Miller, a visit to the Camosun College in Saanich was nothing short of a homecoming.  “We are here to showcase job opportunities and the advantages of a career in the Canadian Armed Forces,” MS Miller, a cook with HMC Submarine Corner Brook, said. “You can see the world, have an exciting career and still provide for your family, put food on the table and that is so important to many people in today’s economic climate.” Dressed in full CADPAT uniforms, MS Miller and four other cooks from the Base Foods team, along with members from the Naval Reserve Unit HMCS Malahat, met with the Camosun College’s Culinary Arts program cooks and chefs on March 29. MS Miller said his culinary career had come full circle with this visit. He graduated as a Level 1 Culinary Arts student from Camosun about eight years ago. He worked briefly in the restaurant industry in Victoria before joining the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). MS Miller admitted he had a slightly ‘surreal’ feeling being back on campus for the first time. He says it was also a proud moment to address the students and faculty at his alma mater. The team delivered a 20-minute presentation to approximately 30 students and faculty. They explained the perks of working as culinary staff in the Royal Canadian Navy, which include job stability, signing bonuses, competitive salary, full benefits, and a chance to see the world, among many others. The team also showcased its Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT) towed by a Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) military truck. The outreach is part of a solution to address the personnel shortage across CAF, says Petty Officer First Class (PO1) David Manryk, Galley Manager of Nelles Block. “The MKT is a good thing for us...

LCdr James Cantafio, Training Division Officer, Naval Fleet School Quebec — Situated on the banks of the historic Saint Lawrence River in scenic Old Quebec, Naval Fleet School (Quebec)(NFS(Q)) continues to support Naval operations and Intelligence capability for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) at large. The Basic Intelligence Officer Course (BIOC) is offered by the Canadian Forces School of Military Intelligence (CFSMI) in Kingston, Ont. The naval course is delivered at NFS(Q), at the Achille Pettigrew Building at Pointe-à-Carcy in Port of Quebec. The most recent course began in October 2022, and students graduated in March 2023. As witnessed by growing global tensions and increasing demand for intelligence capability, the BIOC remains essential. This course prepares junior officers to fill various intelligence-related roles and functions within the Naval Reserve, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).     The BIOC aims to generate Intelligence Officers (Int O) who can perform the duties within their designated environment or in joint staff positions; the course essentially prepares junior Intelligence Officers to support both naval and CAF operations. The Int O must be a well-informed specialist, capable of supervising and producing various intelligence products and services, as required by land, naval and air commanders for the successful execution of a myriad of domestic and international missions. Int O training is therefore designed to provide the CAF with capable personnel. BIOC Graduates will pursue on-the-job (OJT) and/or regenerative training (RTR). Local mentoring and leadership are offered at their home units to complete their formal training requirements to prepare qualified members to operate in a changing operational environment. Instructor-student interaction is critical to competency development for BIOC students. Candidates are generally a mix of both Regular Force and Primary Reservists. Typically, more seats are open to reservists during...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Base Logistics (BLOG) team members are giving rave reviews following a five-day Adventure Training exercise in B.C.’s Sea to Sky region. Eighteen military personnel and two DND civilian employees participated in Exercise Frozen Narwhal, a winter-themed training exercise from Feb. 27-March 3 in the snow-covered mountains and valleys of Whistler’s backcountry and surrounding area. “Our mission intended to provide an exhilarating and enjoyable exercise that also challenges the team while developing basic and advanced soldier skills,” said Sergeant (Sgt) Dave Newman of BLOG, who works as a Supervisor of Vehicle Maintenance at Work Point. “We pushed our limits and left with a perfect sense of camaraderie and self-esteem.” Adventure training is open to all Canadian Armed Forces members. It aims to enhance physical fitness, endurance and morale, to inspire leadership, and to test individual and group abilities under challenging conditions. The participants were housed in a dormitory of the Whistler Athletics Centre. Their daytime hikes and outdoor adventures took them to locations close to Whistler and further afield, including Squamish, Garibaldi Provincial Park and Duffey Lake. Corporal (Cpl) Emily Barnard of BLOG’s SMP section says BLOG’s trip to Whistler was the first time her unit had conducted Adventure Training in over 12 years. She hopes their latest adventure isn’t soon forgotten. “Hopefully, this starts a trend of continued adventure training endeavors for Base Logistics as most of the participants now truly believe this activity can be a key to unit success,” she said. Josh Barnswell, a civilian employee who works as a stores person at CFB Esquimalt’s warehouse Colwood 66, said one of his biggest personal challenges to overcome during the exercise was losing his fear of trying new activities such as ice climbing. “I tend to doubt myself sometimes, so I was trying to enjoy the experience as best I could. I ended up having an amazing time,” Barnswell said. Their activities included hiking, ice climbing, snowshoeing to the summit of Mount Tusk (a dormant volcano)...

[caption id="attachment_32315" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of the CISM soccer team assemble for a training camp photo at the Gorge Soccer Association, March 30. Photo: Peter Mallett/Lookout[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Following a host of delays, cancellations, and shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s Conseil International de Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military Games soccer team finally returned to the field with a training camp in Victoria. Twenty-six military soccer players and nine coaching and support staff from military bases across Canada were reunited for the first time in over three years at their camp at CFB Esquimalt, March 27 to 31. Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) Marcelo Plada, Head Coach, says the training camp marked a turning point for his team and its development since there is no substitute for in-person training sessions and games. “We have been introducing our players to the main pillars of our program where we emphasize mental performance, strength and conditioning, and everything has gone extremely well,” he said. “What we are giving back to the players is an idea of where they stand in terms of rankings and their chances of making this team.” LCol Plada says he could meet with his players only virtually and set strength and conditioning goals online. The training camp also served as a selection camp for upcoming competitions The team is preparing to compete on the world stage at the CISM World Military Games and World Football Trophy. Both competitions could be held as early as next year, but scheduling details surrounding both competitions have yet to be finalized. LCol Plada, a Weapons System Manager and a nationally-accredited A-License Coach, says he is well aware of the challenge his players will face on the field against more experienced opposition. “Many of the teams we will face have compulsory military service, meaning our players will compete against professional or elite-level experience.," he said. To help prepare better, LCol Plada and his coaching staff focused on developing mobility and mental performance, and conducted strength...

SISIP — At SISIP Financial, we have served the military community for over 50 years. We specialize in helping you set financial goals that align with your military life stage, providing advice and solutions for your investments and insurance. We also offer confidential support and financial counselling to help you achieve financial security when handling finances becomes stressful. Over the next two weeks, you will meet your Esquimalt SISIP team. You may have seen them on base or walked by them in the CANEX building. This week, we want to introduce you to our three Financial Advisors: Spencer, Shannon, and Jonathan. [caption id="attachment_32280" align="aligncenter" width="446"] Spencer Elliot[/caption] Spencer Elliot Spencer Elliot has been a registered Financial Planner since 2015 at CIBC Imperial Service and later with Scotia Wealth. He specializes in later career planning. A graduate of McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics), he also has a Personal Finance Planning designation. Spencer has an innate understanding of complex financial situations and takes a systematic quantitative and qualitative approach with his clients. When he is not focused on getting you to your end game, he is out climbing, hiking or camping. He has run 16 half marathons and hopes to do his first full marathon in October. He also loves reading and going to pubs. [caption id="attachment_32279" align="aligncenter" width="476"] Shannon Childs[/caption] Shannon Childs As a military spouse, Shannon Childs has firsthand knowledge of military culture and the unique challenges military families may face. Shannon spent 16 years at SISIP and over 18 years in finance and has her Personal Financial Planning designation and a strong accounting background, which makes her financial planning approach very robust. Shannon prefers in-person engagements and is quick to share her incredible knowledge of military resources and tips on everyday life. In her free time, you can find Shannon hiking with her two boys and exploring all the island has to offer. [caption id="attachment_32278" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Jonathan Mar[/caption] Jonathan Mar Jonathan Mar was born and...