Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
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Nammo_ E editor's note EDITOR Chris Thatcher editorvanguard@netgov.ca CONTRIBUTORS Michel Maisonneuve David Perry James Fergusson Ian Coutts Louise Mercier Carol Dobson Scott Newark Rita LePage Roy Thomas Bonnie Butlin EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD LGen (Ret'd) Bill Leach LGen (Ret'd) George Macdonald VAdm (Ret'd) Greg Maddison LGen (Ret'd) Michel Maisonneuve Ambassador Graham Green Professor Philippe Lagassé A moral obligation SALES VICE PRESIDENT PUBLIC SECTOR SALES Terri Pavelic (905) 727-4091 ext. 225 terrip@netgov.ca National Account Manager Marcello Sukhdeo (905) 727-4091 ext. 224 marcellos@netgov.ca MARKETING DIRECTOR Mary Malofy ART & PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR Elena Pankova SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ADDRESS CHANGES CIRCULATION DIRECTOR James Watson circulation@promotive.net (705) 812-0611 CORPORATE PUBLISHER John R. Jones publisher@netgov.ca Publisher's Mail Agreement: 40052410 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept. 24-4 Vata Court, Aurora, ON L4G 4B6 Vanguard magazine is published 6 times per year by Promotive Communications Inc. All opinions expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or any person or organization associated with the magazine. Letters, submissions, comments and suggested topics are welcome, and should be sent to assoceditor@netgov.ca REPRINT INFORMATION: Reproduction or photocopying is prohibited without the publisher's prior written consent. High quality reprints of articles and additional copies of the magazine are available through circulation@netgov.ca PRIVACY POLICY: We do not sell our mailing list or share any confidential information on our subscribers. VANGUARD OFFICE 24-4 Vata Court, Aurora, ON L4G 4B6 Phone: (905) 727-4091 Fax: (905) 727-4428 4 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 www.vanguardcanada.com LGen Peter Devlin had a challenge for the hundreds of military and civilian healthcare professionals attending the third annual Canadian Military and Veteran Research Forum in Kingston last month. The commander of the Canadian Army urged delegates to provide the same excellence of service at home as so many have done on the battlefield. The Canadian Forces Health Services has set international standards for treatment and care in a combat mission, an accomplishment NATO recently recognized with its most prestigious award. But while care remains high for those in the regular force returning to bases across the country, it is far less so for the reservists scattered throughout large cities and small towns. Devlin paid particular attention to the reserves, and for good reason. Canada's civilian-soldiers were the critical element for the past six years that allowed the CF to sustain combat operations in Kandahar. Far too many, Devlin said, return home to communities without peer support or military programs, and are often left to fend for themselves. Worse, programs and services intended to support the families of those who serve are unreachable for many spouses and children of reservists. As Senator Romeo Dallaire noted in his address, 158 deaths during the Afghan mission is a very incomplete number. Long after the missions in Bosnia and Rwanda, the Forces are still dealing with suicides of soldiers or their family members. "Families live the mission," he reminded delegates, and "if we don't acknowledge [that], we are abdicating our full responsibility [to the soldier]." Operational stress injuries are an honourable injury, Dallaire said. Yet they carry a stigma that may prevent many, especially reservists or their families, from seeking help. Devlin noted that while perhaps 50 percent of soldiers who served in Afghanistan and have suffered OSI have been diagnosed, "the other 50 percent are out there waiting to be diagnosed." He challenged civilian and military health professionals alike to open their networks and do more to help identify and assist reservists. "It can be hard to reach out for help from isolated, small communities." Is there a way to communicate with physicians that this type of care exists? he asked. Can more peer support be provided through organizations like the Royal Canadian Legion? Or could student social workers be attached to reserve units to serve as a bridge to provincial or CF health services? Some choose to avoid the military once they leave the CF, and are soon lost in the provincial healthcare system. But with so much riding on the backs of reservists, reaching out and ensuring support is available isn't just sound policy, it's a moral obligation. Chris Thatcher, Editor