Canadian Army Podcast

The Canadian Army’s new Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) is already making trails in Latvia. But why did we get it, and what can it do? Find out from the source, Major Samir Khelil, who is the LTV Project Director. He answers many of the questions people have been asking on social media.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

The podcast is taking a little time off and will be back in the fall. Here's a preview of some of the topics that will be covered in season 6. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

Warfare is far more complicated than throwing some troops with equipment onto a wide-open field and seeing who wins. There are hospitals, homes, factories, and many other things that make decisions exceptionally complicated for both soldiers and the people who live where war happens. Commander Marc-André Vary is a Legal Officer, one of his jobs is to help commanders and soldiers understand how the Law of Armed Conflict applies when there are only seconds to make the right choice.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

We all know tanks are great, but they don’t do it alone. The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps uses firepower, speed, and protection to defend and take terrain in coordination with the infantry. Colonel Fraser Auld is the Director of the Armoured Corps, and he gives the rundown on how armoured fighting vehicles fit into the bigger picture on the battlefield.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

It’s no secret that science drives innovation, and the same is true in warfare. Jean-François Morel is the Director General of R&D Science and Engineering at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). It’s a big title but a fitting one, because there’s a whole lot of research happening, and he’s the person keeping it all moving. Listen in to find out what DRDC is doing to help the Army stay ahead of the curve on the battlefield.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

Want to know what it takes to get things into gear for a big mission? Colonel Cédric Aspirault from 5 CMBG is preparing to be the first commander of the multinational Forward Land Forces Brigade in Latvia. He’s working with our NATO allies to put the Brigade together and has a lot of thoughts on what is needed to complete the job.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

Musicians. The military has many of them and for good reason. They are there to help us celebrate the good times and reflect during sombre times. Corporals Hélène Fortier and Michel Cousineau of the Regimental Band of the Governor General’s Foot Guards go into detail about life as a musician and their role within the Forces. And of course, they give a performance in the podcast studio!Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

Ever wonder what it takes to get soldiers out the door and responding to domestic emergencies? It’s more than just filling up a truck with troops, shovels, sandbags and rolling out, that’s for sure. Lieutenant-Colonel Geneviève Bertrand from the Canadian Army Headquarters Operations cell explains how the green machine gets rolling when things get tough at home.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

This is a big one, and it’s happening now. The Canadian Army is significantly increasing its footprint in Latvia as part of Operation REASSURANCE. This mission is shaking up the Army’s training and deployment cycles, and will bring new kit into the hands of the troops. Lieutenant-Colonel Marc Kieley talks about transitioning the current battle group in Latvia to a brigade and the impact it will have on both Regular and Reserve soldiers.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

Love tanks? So do we! Hear all about how the heavy metal of the battlefield helps the Canadian Army support the fight on the ground, how the crews make it all work, and the role they’re playing in modern day warfare. Lieutenant-Colonel Darryn Gray, Commanding Officer of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), gives us his take on why tanks are awesome.This episode was recorded during the summer of 2023.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

Season 4 is coming to a close and the podcast will be taking a break until the fall. Listen in to find out what is coming up for season 5.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caMeet our host Captain Adam Orton:  Bio | VideoConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

The Army Sergeant Major plays a significant role in the lives of all non-commissioned soldiers. But how? Chief Warrant Officer James Smith talks about his role as senior advisor to the Army Commander, lends his perspective on what it takes to be a good leader, plus gives a preview of what’s to come with regards to kit and equipment. He also has advice on how to deal with some of the challenges of being a soldier.CWO James Smith’s Bio Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caMeet our host Captain Adam Orton:  Bio | VideoConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

Are we in the Wild West era of drone warfare? The advancement of drone technology is having a big impact on the battlefield - the war in Ukraine is an example. To keep pace, the Canadian Army has been getting help from Defence Research and Development Canada along with industry partners to counter the threat of drone warfare. Jared Giesbrecht, a defence research scientist, explains the challenges our soldiers face and offers clever solutions to detect and defeat enemy drones.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caMeet our host Captain Adam Orton:  Bio | VideoConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

There is a lot more to being a Paratrooper than jumping out of a plane, Master Corporal Nataniel Bergeron Sénécal can attest to that. He is an instructor and jump master with the 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment. In this episode he gives insight into the world of a Paratrooper - the training, equipment, tactics, techniques, and more. You may also be surprised by who can be a Paratrooper. **Spoiler alert** It’s not only for members of the Infantry.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caMeet our host Captain Adam Orton:  Bio | VideoConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

As Russia’s war rages on, Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are facing an explosive threat on the battlefield. A troop of Canadian Combat Engineers have been helping Ukraine mitigate this threat as part of Operation UNIFIER. Lieutenant Jacques Pecora is in Poland and talks about how his team of sappers are teaching Ukrainian soldiers many of the skills they need to survive and thrive.For more information on Canada’s military support to Ukraine, visit:https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/campaigns/canadian-military-support-to-ukraine.htmlFeel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caMeet our host Captain Adam Orton:  Bio | VideoConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

From breaches to bridges and demolitions to detecting, a Combat Engineer has a wide range of responsibilities to ensure that troops can live, move and fight on the battlefield. Corporal Alana Zanchetta from 5 Combat Engineer Regiment goes into detail about her trade and everything sappers do to help win the fight.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caMeet our host Captain Adam Orton:  Bio | VideoConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

Bombs and bullets are not the only threats to our soldiers. Online disinformation is also being used as a weapon, and it’s one they face both on deployment and at home. Dr. Meghan Fitzpatrick and Dr. Dominique Laferrière are social scientists at Defence Research and Development Canada and have done extensive research on the topic. They explain the disinformation ecosystem that affects the military community and give us advice on how to separate fact from fiction.Here are some online tools that can help you counter disinformation:https://hapgood.us/2019/06/19/sift-the-four-moves/https://www.snopes.comhttps://euvsdisinfo.euhttps://info-radical.org/en/https://www.getbadnews.com/books/english/https://harmonysquare.game/enFeel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caMeet our host Captain Adam Orton:  Bio | VideoConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

The world’s security environment is in perpetual change and the Canadian Army must adapt to stay relevant and effective. Lieutenant-General Jocelyn Paul talks about expanding the Army’s mission in Latvia, lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, procuring equipment, the Arctic, culture change, training and more. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caMeet our host Captain Adam Orton:  Bio | VideoConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

Raids, ambushes, air assault operations and so much more! Ranger School may be the U.S. Army’s most challenging course. Captain Pierre-Alexandre Dufour of 3 R22eR talks about his incredible two-month experience which took him through alligator-infested swampland and over mountains in the process of honing his combat leadership skills.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caMeet our host Captain Adam Orton:  Bio | VideoConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

Rewriting a training program is never easy; just ask Sergeant Pier-Luc Dubé, who is one of the Army’s cold weather and Arctic subject matter experts. His journey spans from Norway to Trenton, over to Shilo, and all the way up to Resolute Bay in Nunavut. Find out more about his story and the new program he helped develop.This training is delivered by the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre in Trenton, Ontario. CAAWC provides training for complex geographical environments along with technical domains such as patrol pathfinder, parachute, helicopter insertion, and aerial delivery.Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions:armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.caMeet our host Captain Adam Orton:  Bio | VideoConnect with the Canadian Army on social media:Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeYou can find out more about the Canadian Army hereVisit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army.Copyright Information© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2022