RCD Change of Command Parade 2010
by Lisa Brazeau. Reprinted from The Petawawa Post
by Lisa Brazeau. Reprinted from The Petawawa Post
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"Please join me in recognizing the excellence that these soldiers before you represent."
The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) Outgoing Commanding Officer LCol Martin Frank joined in the applause he asked be directed at the soldiers on parade March 25 during the RCD Change of Command ceremonies. Soldiers who have served admirably and sacrificed much over his 21-month tenure as CO.
"These past 21 months have gone by extremely fast, and is without a doubt the most rewarding but also the most challenging tour that I have had to date," LCol Frank said. "I am truly grateful for having been entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the 52nd Commanding Officer of the best regiment in the Canadian Forces."
The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) Outgoing Commanding Officer LCol Martin Frank joined in the applause he asked be directed at the soldiers on parade March 25 during the RCD Change of Command ceremonies. Soldiers who have served admirably and sacrificed much over his 21-month tenure as CO.
"These past 21 months have gone by extremely fast, and is without a doubt the most rewarding but also the most challenging tour that I have had to date," LCol Frank said. "I am truly grateful for having been entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the 52nd Commanding Officer of the best regiment in the Canadian Forces."
Thursday marked the official handover of the regiment from one RCD command team to another; from outgoing CO LCol Frank to incoming CO LCol Dyrald Cross and outgoing Regimental Sergeant Major CWO Donald Head to incoming RSM CWO William Richards.
Hundreds attended the parade at Building Y-101 including special guests BGen D.M. Dean, the Colonel of the Regiment, Reviewing Officer 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Commander Col Wayne Eyre, Deputy Chief of Staff Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) MGen Ian Poulter, and several families of the fallen. The families of Troopers Marc Diab and Jack Boutillier, and Master Corporal Allan Stewart received Sacrifice Medals at a private ceremony earlier in the day; a number of injured soldiers on parade also received the medal, created to provide a tangible and lasting form of recognition for the members of the Canadian Forces and those who work with them who have been wounded or killed by hostile action, and to Canadian Forces members who died as a result of service.
"The regiment has been extremely busy these past two years having nearly the entire regiment deploy to Afghanistan in one form or another. There have been many personal sacrifices made by the soldiers of this regiment and their families. Some made the ultimate sacrifice," said CWO Head. "To witness all the will of our wounded soldiers and their families in getting through difficult times was and is awe inspiring and you are all to be commended for your strength and determination through difficult and adverse times."
Since the fall of 2008, the Dragoons have sent two reconnaissance squadrons to Afghanistan - D Squadron for Joint Task Force 3-08, B Squadron for the current Task Force 3-09 - and is currently prepared to send another, A Squadron, out the door for TaskForce 1-10. The RCD also forms the core component of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT).
"Despite this extremely challenging tempo, the soldiers of this regiment rose to the challenges that were presented to them every time," LCol Frank said. "Through tremendous adversity on operations or on the long and arduous road to high readiness, these soldiers performed with extreme professionalism, skill, and determination."
A testament, noted Col Eyre, to the superb leadership of LCol Frank and CWO Head.
"I don't hear a heck of a lot of complaints or issues coming out the Dragoons," he said. "You guys get down to business, get down and get things done. This unit has never failed to deliver under the watch of this great command team."
Col Eyre commended both men for their outstanding service, and offered words of welcome to the new CO and RSM.
"Changes of command are always periods of anticipation and perhaps even a little trepidation. That trepidation comes when good leaders move on and are replaced by the unknown," he said. "That's not the case here. In this case you are getting two individuals who are very well known by this regiment. You couldn't ask for two better men to become the CO and the RSM of this regiment."
Prior to his new posting as CO, LCol Cross has served as 2 CMBG Chief of Staff since last summer, a position he will retain until July and the conclusion of the CF commitment to the G-8 Summit in Huntsville June 25 and 26.
Since joining the CF in 1986, he has served with the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's) in Germany, before joining The RCDs in Petawawa in 1999 where he served as the Operations Officer and as a squadron commander. He has served on numerous overseas deployments including HQ SFOR in Sarajevo and most recently at HQ Regional Command (South) in
Kandahar.
In a short speech, he also offered his compliments to LCol Frank and CWO Head for their "tireless work, devotion to the soldiers, charismatic leadership and exceptional care to the soldiers and their families."
Soldiers he is honoured to lead.
"I'd like to thank you for being here today to see a very fine regiment on parade. A regiment that cherishes its soldiers, soldiers that walk in the shadow of no other," LCol Cross noted. "True professionals, proud and well trained."
Hundreds attended the parade at Building Y-101 including special guests BGen D.M. Dean, the Colonel of the Regiment, Reviewing Officer 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Commander Col Wayne Eyre, Deputy Chief of Staff Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) MGen Ian Poulter, and several families of the fallen. The families of Troopers Marc Diab and Jack Boutillier, and Master Corporal Allan Stewart received Sacrifice Medals at a private ceremony earlier in the day; a number of injured soldiers on parade also received the medal, created to provide a tangible and lasting form of recognition for the members of the Canadian Forces and those who work with them who have been wounded or killed by hostile action, and to Canadian Forces members who died as a result of service.
"The regiment has been extremely busy these past two years having nearly the entire regiment deploy to Afghanistan in one form or another. There have been many personal sacrifices made by the soldiers of this regiment and their families. Some made the ultimate sacrifice," said CWO Head. "To witness all the will of our wounded soldiers and their families in getting through difficult times was and is awe inspiring and you are all to be commended for your strength and determination through difficult and adverse times."
Since the fall of 2008, the Dragoons have sent two reconnaissance squadrons to Afghanistan - D Squadron for Joint Task Force 3-08, B Squadron for the current Task Force 3-09 - and is currently prepared to send another, A Squadron, out the door for TaskForce 1-10. The RCD also forms the core component of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT).
"Despite this extremely challenging tempo, the soldiers of this regiment rose to the challenges that were presented to them every time," LCol Frank said. "Through tremendous adversity on operations or on the long and arduous road to high readiness, these soldiers performed with extreme professionalism, skill, and determination."
A testament, noted Col Eyre, to the superb leadership of LCol Frank and CWO Head.
"I don't hear a heck of a lot of complaints or issues coming out the Dragoons," he said. "You guys get down to business, get down and get things done. This unit has never failed to deliver under the watch of this great command team."
Col Eyre commended both men for their outstanding service, and offered words of welcome to the new CO and RSM.
"Changes of command are always periods of anticipation and perhaps even a little trepidation. That trepidation comes when good leaders move on and are replaced by the unknown," he said. "That's not the case here. In this case you are getting two individuals who are very well known by this regiment. You couldn't ask for two better men to become the CO and the RSM of this regiment."
Prior to his new posting as CO, LCol Cross has served as 2 CMBG Chief of Staff since last summer, a position he will retain until July and the conclusion of the CF commitment to the G-8 Summit in Huntsville June 25 and 26.
Since joining the CF in 1986, he has served with the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's) in Germany, before joining The RCDs in Petawawa in 1999 where he served as the Operations Officer and as a squadron commander. He has served on numerous overseas deployments including HQ SFOR in Sarajevo and most recently at HQ Regional Command (South) in
Kandahar.
In a short speech, he also offered his compliments to LCol Frank and CWO Head for their "tireless work, devotion to the soldiers, charismatic leadership and exceptional care to the soldiers and their families."
Soldiers he is honoured to lead.
"I'd like to thank you for being here today to see a very fine regiment on parade. A regiment that cherishes its soldiers, soldiers that walk in the shadow of no other," LCol Cross noted. "True professionals, proud and well trained."
LCol Frank presents the Guidon to CWO Head
LCol Cross leads the final march pass
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