THE NATIONAL RCA(M) SUMMER SCHOOL
By Captain F.H. Hansford
Again this summer saw the families of 3 RCHA members extremely happy, with the heads of households remaining in Shilo to instruct and work with the National RCA(M) Summer School. One hundred and ten officers and men from the Regiment were employed as administrative and training staff, as instructors and as members of a firing troop. Although planning for the school started in Nov/Dec 72, active preparations could not be started until after the annual Combat Group concentration in June.
The School followed immediately on the heels of Milcon and was conducted during a five week period 9 July to 3 August, with a final week until the 10 August allowed for final reports, return of equipment and the dispatch of unit personnel on leave for a well earned rest. Although student attendance was down this year; a total of seventy-five candidates attended the six courses, four of which were conducted on a national basis:
a. Captain Qualifying RCA(M) Block 2 (two weeks);
b. Lt. Qualifying RCA(M) Block 1 (two weeks);
c. Lt. Qualifying RCA(M) Block 2 (two weeks);
d. Senior NCO RCA(M) (two weeks);
e. Artillery Technician Pay level C (three weeks); and
f. Artillery Communicators(three weeks).
Candidates attended from seven provinces, representing the majority of Artillery Militia Regiments. Although the student/Instructor ratio was optimum, for the second year in a row this proved to be the desirable level for the school, as all candidates were successful in their courses. A great deal of credit must be given to the students and their home units, as everyone worked hard to achieve and maintain a level of professionalism. The following students were graded as the top student on their respective courses:
a. Capt Qualifying – Lt D.A. Sinkinson – 30 Fd Regt Ottawa
b. Lt Qualifying Block 1 – 2/Lt G.J. Owen – 5 (BC) Bty, Victoria
c. Lt Qualifying Block 2 – 2/Lt Schindler – 20 Fd Regt Edmonton
d. Senior NCO – Bdr Ellis R.A. – 49 Fd Regt, Sault Ste. Marie
e. Artillery Technician – Gnr Wiley D.S. – 10 Fd Regt, Regina
f. Artillery Communicator – Sgt Kearns M.D. – 26 Fd Regt, Brandon
To these students and to all candidates – “Well Done!!”
The School this year had two Commanding Officers; for the first two weeks Major W.M. Scott, CD, who on posting to CAS Gagetown handed over the reins to Major J.E.R. Tattersall, CD who arrived from CAS. Each course was conducted by a Senior Instructor, under the able guidance of the school’s Chief Instructor. Practical field exercises were utilized as often as possible, with the majority of these exercises live firing. Every chance was taken to combine courses and in all cases the students commanded and the instructors remained in the background to provide guidance.
By the end of School everyone, both students and instructors were more than satisfied that they had learned and taught their subjects to the best of their abilities. Total rounds fired by Summer School is as follows:
HE PD 1170
CVT 521
TPT1 64
SMK BE 60
WP 100
These rounds have been fired by members of the firing troop and more importantly by the students. So all had “lathered” with the guns. The School was a great success and all those involved from 3 RCHA were more than pleased to be able to pass on our knowledge and experience to our fellow gunners serving Canada as members of the Reserve. To all of them we send our wishes for “good shooting and target rounds”.
The Canadian Gunner 1973, Volume 9, December 1973, page 54
Again this summer saw the families of 3 RCHA members extremely happy, with the heads of households remaining in Shilo to instruct and work with the National RCA(M) Summer School. One hundred and ten officers and men from the Regiment were employed as administrative and training staff, as instructors and as members of a firing troop. Although planning for the school started in Nov/Dec 72, active preparations could not be started until after the annual Combat Group concentration in June.
The School followed immediately on the heels of Milcon and was conducted during a five week period 9 July to 3 August, with a final week until the 10 August allowed for final reports, return of equipment and the dispatch of unit personnel on leave for a well earned rest. Although student attendance was down this year; a total of seventy-five candidates attended the six courses, four of which were conducted on a national basis:
a. Captain Qualifying RCA(M) Block 2 (two weeks);
b. Lt. Qualifying RCA(M) Block 1 (two weeks);
c. Lt. Qualifying RCA(M) Block 2 (two weeks);
d. Senior NCO RCA(M) (two weeks);
e. Artillery Technician Pay level C (three weeks); and
f. Artillery Communicators(three weeks).
Candidates attended from seven provinces, representing the majority of Artillery Militia Regiments. Although the student/Instructor ratio was optimum, for the second year in a row this proved to be the desirable level for the school, as all candidates were successful in their courses. A great deal of credit must be given to the students and their home units, as everyone worked hard to achieve and maintain a level of professionalism. The following students were graded as the top student on their respective courses:
a. Capt Qualifying – Lt D.A. Sinkinson – 30 Fd Regt Ottawa
b. Lt Qualifying Block 1 – 2/Lt G.J. Owen – 5 (BC) Bty, Victoria
c. Lt Qualifying Block 2 – 2/Lt Schindler – 20 Fd Regt Edmonton
d. Senior NCO – Bdr Ellis R.A. – 49 Fd Regt, Sault Ste. Marie
e. Artillery Technician – Gnr Wiley D.S. – 10 Fd Regt, Regina
f. Artillery Communicator – Sgt Kearns M.D. – 26 Fd Regt, Brandon
To these students and to all candidates – “Well Done!!”
The School this year had two Commanding Officers; for the first two weeks Major W.M. Scott, CD, who on posting to CAS Gagetown handed over the reins to Major J.E.R. Tattersall, CD who arrived from CAS. Each course was conducted by a Senior Instructor, under the able guidance of the school’s Chief Instructor. Practical field exercises were utilized as often as possible, with the majority of these exercises live firing. Every chance was taken to combine courses and in all cases the students commanded and the instructors remained in the background to provide guidance.
By the end of School everyone, both students and instructors were more than satisfied that they had learned and taught their subjects to the best of their abilities. Total rounds fired by Summer School is as follows:
HE PD 1170
CVT 521
TPT1 64
SMK BE 60
WP 100
These rounds have been fired by members of the firing troop and more importantly by the students. So all had “lathered” with the guns. The School was a great success and all those involved from 3 RCHA were more than pleased to be able to pass on our knowledge and experience to our fellow gunners serving Canada as members of the Reserve. To all of them we send our wishes for “good shooting and target rounds”.
The Canadian Gunner 1973, Volume 9, December 1973, page 54