28 APRIL/MAY 2020 www.vanguardcanada.com
CoVid-19
suited for these times, and then adapt it
and stick with it until a new normal emerg-
es. It can include these things:
Being Informed. Select one or two
times a day to catch up on the situation
locally and globally. Don't get trapped into
following the news and social media all day
long.
Mission. Be on mission both in our
work and in our shared community to re-
duce and eliminate the risk of viral spread.
Have pre-specified touchpoints in mis-
sion (like projects and tasks) for a 15- or
30-minute period each day.
Team. Have specified times for connect-
ing with your team and peer support, even
with something as simple as a buddy sys-
tem.
Family. Schedule time and activity with
family and friends – even if virtual - and
block it in. We are fortunate to have an in-
credible array of digital interconnectivity.
Self. Schedule those minutes in a day
where we care for the self, like time for
reading, prayer, a hike, walk, or run.
A set battle rhythm, with the discipline
and determination to stick with it, is what
helps military professionals endure and
prevail through emergencies and conflict.
If we employ this strategy here at home,
it can get us through these challenging
times as well. Stay connected, persevere,
and support each other. We can and will
endure, and we will get through this to-
gether.
There are so many ways to serve and we
are seeing so many of them at the front
now. To all who serve today – including in
the new frontlines that are confronting this
pandemic, the families, friends, businesses,
and communities supporting them - thank
you for your service. Your service is price-
less indeed.
Lieutenant-General Stu Beare, CMM, MSC,
MSM, CD transitioned from a 36-year
military career in 2014. His last post was
as Commander Canadian Joint Operations
Command. He and his team were respon-
sible for the anticipation of, preparation for
and conduct of Canadian Forces Operations
across Canada, in North America, and
around the world. He comes from a mili-
tary family, remains connected to the larger
military family, and aer 20 moves in life
(starting in Camp Shilo Manitoba) he and
his family now call Ottawa home. Today
he remains engaged by serving alongside
others in new and different ways: as Chair
of the Board for Soldiers Helping Soldiers
(www.soldiershelpingsoldiers.ca), as Stra-
tegic Advisor Defence and Public Safety
with Accenture Canada (www.accenture.
com/ca-en), as a member of the Canadian
Red Cross Government Relations Advisory
Committee (www.redcross.ca), as Honor-
ary Lieutenant-Colonel with 2e Regiment
d'artillerie de campagne in Montreal (www.
facebook.com/groups/120610774640847/),
and as an Ambassador with Support our
Troops (www.supportourtroops.ca). Stu
and his wife France are continually adapt-
ing their battle rhythm as well – including
still reading books to their infant grandchil-
dren – but now via Facetime!
BEST DEFENCE, BEST VALUE!
November 17 & 18, 2020
bestdefenceconference.com
Registration is now open
