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Family Adventures Await Bgen Bob Ritchie This Issue Former 2VP CO, 1CMBG Comd Posted to XVIII Airborne Corps HQ

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Family Adventures Await Bgen Bob Ritchie This Issue Former 2VP CO, 1CMBG Comd Posted to XVIII Airborne Corps HQ 1947 - 2017 $699 Shilo MESA SOFA — SAVE $200 STORE HOURS Stag Monday to Saturday 10 am - 6 pm WE WILL MATCH... Closed Sunday ADVERTISED PRICES ON ELECTRONICS, CAMERAS, COMPUTERS & MAJOR APPLIANCES. DETAILS ARE 3635 Victoria Avenue, Brandon AVAILABLE INSTORE OR ONLINE AT WWW.CANEX.CA Your source for Army news in Manitoba 204-727-4444 Volume 59 Issue 13 Serving Shilo, Sprucewoods & Douglas since 1947 July 9, 2020 INSIDE Family adventures await BGen Bob Ritchie This Issue Former 2VP CO, 1CMBG Comd posted to XVIII Airborne Corps HQ Jules Xavier • My mother, brother, and in-laws for Shilo Stag your unconditional support over the last 25 years; • Finally, to Col Wade Rutland, from When he stood to address a proud friend, welcome home to the his virtual audience on Face- Army of the West. Best wishes to you book during 1CMBG’s CoC at and Alexis on the next bound as the new Garrison Edmonton, now BGen 1CMBG Comd. Bob Ritchie said his message He concluded his address with, “Sem- Our Lady of Shilo Chapel for those watching was “one of re-opens Page 4 per Vigilans!” overwhelming gratitude.” Following his CoC parade and promo- Standing before a sparse audi- tion from colonel to brigadier-general ence that included wife Joanna, with COVID-19 protocols in place, the and not on parade grounds sur- former 2PPLCI CO shared his thoughts rounded by soldiers in dress with the Stag on his past two years as uniform standing at attention, 1CMBG Comd, and what’s next in his because of the COVID-19 pan- CAF career while serving at Fort Bragg in demic, BGen Ritchie had a list North Carolina in a Q&A session. which included those he wanted Stag: How have you approached your com- to pay a debt of gratitude for mand in our current world of COVID-19? during his past two years at the BGen Bob Ritchie (BR): “Upon the helm of 1CMBG: onset of the pandemic, our focus was • To LGen Eyre, on behalf of initially to preserve our ability to deploy the Canadian Army, for the priv- soldiers for international operations and ilege to serve again in 1CMBG; position 1CMBG for any provincial or • To Generals Cadieu and La- territorial request for assistance. croix, successive Commanders “During this unprecedented period, we of the 3rd Canadian Division, continued to deliver critical and essential for your counsel and mentor- How do you avoid injuries services while temporarily reducing our ship; posture at work to avoid our forces from when running? Page 7 • To CWO Hartnell and CWO propagating COVID-19 within Canada. Kiens for showing me how to be As this was a stressful time for members a soldier 20 years ago; and their families, 1CMBG unit leaders • To the 3rd Division head- pro-actively reached out on a regular ba- quarters staff, led by Wade and sis to maintain communications. Derek Prohar as successive Joanna Ritchie helped with her husband’s promotion to brig- adier-general following his 1CMBG CoC held virtually with a “More recently, we have undertaken a Chiefs of Staff, for your support conditions-based methodology to safely and friendship; live telecast on Facebook. On Canada Day, now BGen Bob resume Canadian Army force generation • To our fl anking formations Ritchie fl ew to North Carolina for his next CAF posting to Fort activities in a manner that is consistent to your collaboration in the pur- Bragg. Photo Cpl Wes Pfneisl with unique provincial regulations and suit of our shared objectives; compliant with Canadian Armed Forces’ • To CWO Hessell and CWO force health protection measures. Clarke for your courageous ad- “Throughout, we will apply empathet- vice as the top soldier in 1CMBG; ic leadership and implement decentralized solutions for our soldiers • To the 1CMBG headquarters and my personal staff for making me and civilians within policy that seamlessly reintegrate re-deploying per- look good and setting optimal conditions for unit success; sonnel, alleviate COVID-19 induced family pressures, and reduce un- • To the unit Commanding Offi cers and Regimental Sergeants Major, due friction associated with Active Posting Season (APS) 2020 moves.” past and present, for your inspired front-line leadership; SS: Looking back at your past two years at the helm of the Brigade, what did • Most importantly, to all ranks with 1CMBG, for your warrior spirit you learn about soldiering — larger scale — compared to when you were CO Takeout lunch offered at and relentless pursuit of excellence on behalf of our great nation. 2PPCLI? Offi cers’ Mess Page 8 He also offered special thanks to the following: • My wife Joanna, daughter Ava and son Ryan for your love and sac- rifi ces. I’m looking forward to our new family adventure; See BGEN page 3 2 Shilo Stag CELEBRATING 72 YEARS PROVIDING ARMY NEWS July 9, 2020 Volume 59 • Issue 13 Regular Circulation: 3,000 Printed bi-weekly by Struth Publishing, Killarney MB During the COVID-19 pandemic, your CANEX will not be taking back beer cans or bottles which have been accumulating in the garage, or basement at home. Manager Rick Kehler said he will announce when it is safe to start returning your bottles and cans. Sr PSP manager Craig Ethelston ext 3073 Managing editor Jules Xavier ext 3093 No place for discrimination, racism in CAF Assistant Editor ext 3013 Advertising rep ext 3013 PAO Advisor Lori Truscott ext 3813 Respecting dignity of every person Fax: 204-765-3814 Email: [email protected] hesive teams and enhances our military and departmental Vice-Admiral Haydn Edmundson operational effectiveness. Mailing Address: Stag Speical Diversity is a source of strength and fl exibility, and plays Box 5000, Stn Main a pivotal role in making the Defence Team a modern, for- CFB Shilo, Manitoba, R0K 2A0 Racism and discrimination exist and they continue to sur- ward-looking organization that walks the walk when it face in violent and very tragic ways as we have witnessed comes to inclusivity. with the violence experienced by Black and Indigenous per- The Defence Team remains committed to increasing the sons recently in the news. representation of visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, This newspaper is issued by authority of LCol Jeff Lyttle, Base This has prompted a discussion about where we are as a women and people with disabilities both in numbers and in Commander, CFB Shilo. The views expressed herein are not society in terms of respecting the dignity of every person, senior leadership roles. necessarily those of the Department of National Defence or of without prejudice based on race, colour, national or ethnic These efforts to foster diversity and inclusion will not, on the editorial staff. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit, to origin, or other prohibited grounds. their own, stamp out racist and discriminatory behaviour. abridge, to reject copy or advertising to adhere to the policy, as Unfortunately, we are not where we need to be in terms of My pledge is to work with all members of the Defence outlined in CFAO 57-5, and for clarity and/or content. accepting and respecting each other’s differences; discrimi- Team so that we, together, are part of a prolonged and sus- nation, including systemic racism, continues to exist in the tained solution. The Shilo Stag is produced every second Thursday. Canadian Armed Forces/Department of National Defence Leaders are engaged and having discussions with repre- (CAF/DND) and must be addressed to every extent pos- sentatives from our Employment Equity Defence Advisory sible. Deadline for submissions is the Thursday prior to the Groups (DAG) which included the Defence Visible Minority As the Defence Team Champion for Visible Minorities, week of publication. Submissions can be sent to the Stag Advisory Group, the Defence Indigenous Advisory Group, and the Commander of Military Personnel Command, it is via email at [email protected], dropped off at the Stag of- and the Defence Women’s Advisory Organization, Persons important to me that we address this issue, given its pro- fi ce located in CANEX or via Inter-base mail. with Disabilities, and the Defence Team Pride Network. found impact on many of our members and on our cohe- After a recent roundtable, the Deputy Minister Jody Submitting articles and photos for print: siveness as a team — a family. Thomas and Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Jonathan • Please submit articles as a MS Word Document. I say this as a senior member of the CAF and, also, as a Vance have voiced that we will work at being more coordi- • Include the author’s full name, rank, unit and contact information. Canadian citizen, a human being, who has been appalled nated and effective in how we address discrimination, in- • Include photos with your articles whenever possible, by the behaviour of so many who do not wish to accept our cluding systemic racism. values and who wish harm upon others. however, do not embed photos in word documents. They have outlined immediate next steps, including more I have discussed this with many of you in our Defence • Please submit photos as high resolution jpegs (if concrete actions in response to comments that were made Team; it is clear to me that we can do better and more must scanned 300 dpi), digital images or in hard copy format. during the roundtable. be done. I look forward to continued work with leadership in our • With photos, include a cutline which names the indi- I wish to be clear, discrimination and racist conduct, be it viduals in the photo; what’s taking place; and the name, department and with our DAG representatives as we, to- through words or actions or inactions, is completely incom- gether, put a plan in place to make the necessary changes.
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