New Command Team for 2 Service Battalion
There is a new Command Team at 2 Service Battalion (2 Svc Bn) after this year’s Change of Command Ceremony.
Both outgoing Commanding Officer (CO) Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) Kieran Kennedy and his outgoing Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Pat White were given the chance to lead the troops on one more parade before ceding their positions to Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) Robin Chenard and Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Jimmy Côté.
It was a bittersweet moment for both men, as their time at 2 Svc Bn was one they could both be proud of, and will be remembered in Regimental history.
Their departure was witnessed by personnel, friends, families, supporters, and members of the Regimental family on June 25.
The ceremony opened with soldiers demonstrating their capability in a dynamic display. They wowed the crowd with their professionalism and rigour, as many of the vehicles they use and work on were brought out onto Worthington Parade Square. After the display concluded, the soldiers made a spectacular sight as they marched before the crowd with precision.
Watching them stand steadily in the sun, LCol Kennedy admitted the past two years have gone by in a flash.
“Every day I have been amazed by the work that you’ve done,” he said, his pride evident for the military and civilian members under his command.
It has been a busy year for 2 Svc Bn.
Within weeks of assuming command, he saw many of his soldiers head off on deployments and exercises, with more continuously following. Yet despite the high operational tempo, they never failed to impress him with their dedication and skill.
LCol Kennedy’s last act as Commanding Officer was the exchange of a pace stick between the incoming and outgoing RSMs, marking the official Change of Appointment.
He then ended his own tenure as CO through the signing of Change of Command scrolls, made official by the Reviewing Officer, 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Commander Colonel (Col) Jason Adair. Having spent many years in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), he recognized just what it takes to lead a battalion as large as 2 Svc Bn.
He saw this strength in LCol Kennedy.
“You have never overpromised, but you have always over-delivered,” said Col Adair to the outgoing commander.
He spoke about how he can also see this strength in LCol Chenard and welcomed him into the fold.
“You have worked hard for this moment and you are more than ready for what that entails,” said Col Adair. “I know that you will be, with that selfless commitment to the mission and those steady hands that you are known for.”
For LCol Chenard, the opportunity to lead such an important group of soldiers was something he dreamed about. He knows it will take a lot of work, but welcomed those challenges.
“These next two years are going to be unrelenting,” he said. “You have a year in training in high readiness and a year of operations.”
He added he is excited to see what the future holds and looks forward to getting to know his RSM, and working with him.
It was also an emotional day for both the incoming and outgoing RSMs.
For CWO White, it was an absolute honour to have served with a group of soldiers as dignified and as professional as those at 2 Svc Bn. When it came time for him to speak, he had nothing but praise for his Commander, the troops and his replacement.
“You’ve always impressed me by your drive, dedication and professionalism,” he said.
CWO Côté was in absolute agreement and expressed his admiration for 2 Svc Bn.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the soldiers are ready for any task that they are given and will succeed at the highest standard,” said CWO Côté.
He noted he is looking forward to being part of the Command Team, and had no doubt in his mind that LCol Chenard will make a great fireteam partner.
