Shilo Stag
CO Capt Connie Wilson looked on proudly as young people dressed in their 2502 1RCHA Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp (RCACC) uniforms marched out on to the MPFT parade square.
Inclement weather forced the move indoors after initial plans for the fifth annual ceremonial review were to hold the event on the Kapyong parade square.
Former cadet CI Arthur Blakely, and current training officer, acted as emcee for the evening festivities which saw promotions and awards handed out to the attentive teens looking forward following the arrival of reviewing officer 1RCHA CO LCol Joe O’Donnell, who was born in Lahr, Germany and grew up between CFB Shilo and CFB Gagetown.
Blakely let the audience sitting in the MPTF bleachers know who LCol O’Donnell is when it came to his Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) military career.
“He enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 2005 and was first posted to W Battery, at the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School (RCAS) in Gagetown, New Brunswick. In 2008, LCol O’Donnell was posted to the 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, where he was employed as a Forward Observation Officer.
“In 2010, he attended the Instructor-in-Gunnery (IG) Course at the RCAS and was subsequently employed as an IG. In 2012, LCol O’Donnell was once again posted to 1RCHA as the RCPO, followed by Ops O in 2013, Battery Commander of “A” Battery in 2014 and Regimental 2IC in 2016.
“He also served as the Deputy Commandant of the RCAS in 2018. His key staff experience in 2019 was his position as the Chief of Staff of 36 Canadian Brigade Group.
“Operationally, LCol O’Donnell deployed to Kandahar Afghanistan in 2009, on Operation ATHENA as a Forward Observation Officer with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, to Kabul Afghanistan in 2013 on Operation ATTENTION as the S-3 Of the Ministry of Interior, Ministerial Advisory Group with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He also deployed domestically as an OC to fight floods on Op LENTUS in 2014 in Portage la Prairie.
“LCol O’Donnell is an Instructor-In-Gunnery, a graduate of Brandon University, of the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and of Webster University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in in Sociology and History and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management.
“In his spare time, he enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and CrossFit. He is married to Melissa and is a proud father to Jack and Billy.”
During the inspection of ranks, LCol O’Donnell presented each of the cadets with a 1RCHA Commander’s coin, placing the coin in his palm, then shaking each of the cadet’s hand while having small conversations while moving along the line.
Among the guests at the MPTF were Carberry Legion District 2 Commander Comrade Chris Flood, Manitoba Army Cadets League’s Dwayne Thomas, support committee chairperson Genevieve Leblond and Shilo and Region Service Club president Larry Weisgerber.
Besides Capt Wilson and Blakely on the training staff for the Army cadets, others who have helped out the past year included admin officer CI Glenda Wilson, supply officer CV Chantel Anderson and military assistance was provided by Sgt Michael Allary, Sgt Truman Badcock and Bdr Mike McDonald.
The following cadets achieved their training levels, and were acknowledged by Blakely:
• Green Star – Blakely, Denton, Gaudet, Knoll, Knoll, Larochelle, Lopez, Olmos, Rudin
• Red Star – Childerhouse, Drohan, McDonald, Newfield, Oliver, Tacan, Weatherald
• Silver Star – Anderson V, Foley L, Forrestall, Froese
• Gold Star – Grulke, Kirkup, Leblanc, Throne
• Master Star – Howard
Canada Fitness Test Badges — Bronze level Gnr Blakley, Cdt Denton; Excellence Cdt Knoll
Expert Marksmanship Badges, presented by Sgt Allary, MBdr Forestall, Cdt Knoll
Promotions, presented by Capt Wilson — to the rank of Gunner Knoll L, Knoll O, Olmos, Rudin; to the rank of bombader Blakely A, Childerhose, Larochelle; to the rank of master bombader Drohan, McDonald, Newfield, Oliver, Weatherald A; to the rank of sergeant Anderson V, Foley, Forrestall, Froese A; to the rank of warrant officer – LeBlanc
Top Green Star – presented by Army Cadet League of Manitoba’s Dwayne Thomas to Gnr Larochelle
Top Red Star – presented by sponsoring committee chairperson Genevie Leblond to Bdr Drohan
Top Junior Star – presented by Shilo and Region Service Club president Larry Weisgerber to Bdr Weatherald
Top Gold Star – presented by Sgt Allary to Sgt Leblanc
Top Senior Cadet – presented by LCol O’Donnell to MWO Grulke
Peer’s Choice Award – presented by Capt Wilson to Sgt Leblanc
BComd’s Award for top cadet presented by LCol O’Donnell to MBdr Leblanc
Sgt Madison Award presented to a female cadet who shows strength, dedication, courage and honour, presented by 1RCHA RSM CWO Sean McGowan to MWO Weatherald
RCMP Award for marksmanship excellence, presented by Sgt Allary, Sgt Forestall (senior) and Bdr Drohn (junior)
Long Service Medal presented by the Army Cadet League of Manitoba for four years in cadet Dwayne Thomas; for five years in cadets Grulke and Weatherald
Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellent presented by District 2 Commander Comrade Chris Flood — presented for outstanding cadet service, citizenship and comradeship — went to MWO Grulke
Lord Strathcona Medal — origin of the Strathcona Foundation dates back to 1909. Lord Strathcona, then High Commissioner for Canada in London, England, wished to improve the physical and intellectual capabilities of youths by encouraging habits of self-discipline, good citizenship and patriotism. To this end, he created the foundation bearing his name. In 1923, a medal was struck and awarded to the most deserving cadet of each corps. The medal is the highest award that can be granted to a cadet.
The recipient was singled out amongst peers by an outstanding performance and a personal involvement in the community. 1RCHA CO LCol O’Donnell presented the medal to MWO Weatherald.
2502 1RCHA Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp (RCACC) photos Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag
