Message from The Officer Commanding B Squadron
Posted July 14, 2010
Having been privileged enough to be a tank troop leader in B Squadron, then deploy as its second-in-command for its first deployment to Afghanistan as a Reconnaissance Squadron, serving as its commander for its third deployment to Afghanistan has been the most memorable time of my career. However, change is part of military life; in order to grow and develop, organizations and their people must change, so this will be my last update, as my time in B Squadron draws to a close.
After every Squadron’s deployment and redeployment, there is always a large-scale personnel change as experienced people are posted out, new people posted in, some soldiers elect to follow other career paths while still others are promoted to positions of greater responsibility across the Regiment and Canadian Forces. Many of our leaders will see themselves posted to the Royal Canadian Armour Corps School in Gagetown, where the knowledge, skills and experience garnered over the past few years will be put to good use training the next generations Armour Corps soldiers. As a result, the B Squadron we once knew has already started to change and reorganize.
While the majority of B Squadron’s recent history concerns its latest deployment to Afghanistan, it is important to remember B Squadron’s other accomplishments throughout the past two years:
After every Squadron’s deployment and redeployment, there is always a large-scale personnel change as experienced people are posted out, new people posted in, some soldiers elect to follow other career paths while still others are promoted to positions of greater responsibility across the Regiment and Canadian Forces. Many of our leaders will see themselves posted to the Royal Canadian Armour Corps School in Gagetown, where the knowledge, skills and experience garnered over the past few years will be put to good use training the next generations Armour Corps soldiers. As a result, the B Squadron we once knew has already started to change and reorganize.
While the majority of B Squadron’s recent history concerns its latest deployment to Afghanistan, it is important to remember B Squadron’s other accomplishments throughout the past two years:
· Successfully conducting a DP 1 course; many of this course’s graduates are now deployed
· Compiling, editing and organizing the Regiment’s 2008 Springbok journal
· Demonstrating Army capabilities for successive 2008 Captains of Industry visits
· Representing the Regiment in Borden and Toronto as part of the Regiment’s 125th birthday
· Representing the Regiment at the dedication of Trooper Mark Wilson Park in London, ON
· Conducting 25mm training and live fire field ranges for the entire 1 PPCLI battle group
· Supporting the RCD cadet corps in Ottawa
· Hosting and supporting Friends of the Regiment on several occasions
· Setting the conditions for A Squadron’s deployment by sharing information and knowledge
· Writing a number of articles for the Armour Corps Bulletin and other journals
· Documenting, creating and distributing SOPs for the use of the LAV RWS in operations
· Supporting the Regiment’s injured soldiers and helping, wherever possible, their recovery
· Supporting the families of the fallen
To the soldiers of B Squadron - well done to all - we would not have been able to do what we did without your knowledge, skills, initiative, dedication, abilities and leadership down to the lowest level. Be proud of what you have accomplished.
To the friends and families of B Squadron - thank you. You supported us without fail throughout all our times away in training and a deployment that was extended after our departure. You continue to support and care for us as we continue living, working and growing back in Canada. It is difficult for most of us to express how much we appreciate everything you have done and continue to do for us.
I wish Major Fraser Auld and Master Warrant Officer Dean Jones, B Squadron’s new commander and Sergeant-Major, a warm welcome and best wishes for their next few years as the Squadron’s command team. With willing hands we pass the torch - be it yours to hold on high.
29 sends, then closes down from this net.
M.N. Popov
Major
Officer Commanding B Squadron
· Compiling, editing and organizing the Regiment’s 2008 Springbok journal
· Demonstrating Army capabilities for successive 2008 Captains of Industry visits
· Representing the Regiment in Borden and Toronto as part of the Regiment’s 125th birthday
· Representing the Regiment at the dedication of Trooper Mark Wilson Park in London, ON
· Conducting 25mm training and live fire field ranges for the entire 1 PPCLI battle group
· Supporting the RCD cadet corps in Ottawa
· Hosting and supporting Friends of the Regiment on several occasions
· Setting the conditions for A Squadron’s deployment by sharing information and knowledge
· Writing a number of articles for the Armour Corps Bulletin and other journals
· Documenting, creating and distributing SOPs for the use of the LAV RWS in operations
· Supporting the Regiment’s injured soldiers and helping, wherever possible, their recovery
· Supporting the families of the fallen
To the soldiers of B Squadron - well done to all - we would not have been able to do what we did without your knowledge, skills, initiative, dedication, abilities and leadership down to the lowest level. Be proud of what you have accomplished.
To the friends and families of B Squadron - thank you. You supported us without fail throughout all our times away in training and a deployment that was extended after our departure. You continue to support and care for us as we continue living, working and growing back in Canada. It is difficult for most of us to express how much we appreciate everything you have done and continue to do for us.
I wish Major Fraser Auld and Master Warrant Officer Dean Jones, B Squadron’s new commander and Sergeant-Major, a warm welcome and best wishes for their next few years as the Squadron’s command team. With willing hands we pass the torch - be it yours to hold on high.
29 sends, then closes down from this net.
M.N. Popov
Major
Officer Commanding B Squadron
Copyright 2010 Royal Canadian Dragoons, All Rights Reserved