3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment

3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR) is a regular force light infantry battalion of the Canadian Forces. As of 2011, 3 RCR was designated Canada's first airmobile battalion. The unit has served Canada well throughout its history, and 3 RCR's most notable service occurred in 2003–2004, when it was the initial Canadian Forces unit to serve as part of ISAF, deploying to Kabul in August 2003. After seeing the unit in the reconstitution phase of the army training operations framework cycle, it was prepared once again for deployment. It stood up as the core of "Task Force 3–08 Battle Group" (TF 3–08 BG) in January 2008 and assumed duties in Kandahar in September of that year. 3 RCR redeployed to Canada in April and May 2009. Most recently, "O" Company deployed as a component of the Task Force 1-10 BG.

3rd Battalion
Cypher of The Royal Canadian Regiment
Active9 December 1950 – 21 July 1954
6 July 1970 – present
CountryCanada
BranchCanadian Army
TypeRegular Force
RoleLight role,
Airborne/Air assault
SizeOne battalion
Part ofRoyal Canadian Infantry Corps
Garrison/HQFoulkes Barracks – Petawawa
3rd Battalion- Petawawa
Motto(s)Pro Patria (For Country)
Mascot(s)Stone statuette named Soldier of the Queen
Commanders
OfficerLt.-Col. B.J. Irvine, CD
Deputy Commanding OfficerMaj. G.T. McDonald, CD
Regimental Sergeant MajorChief Warrant Officer M.J. Martens, MMM, CD
Insignia
CrownGold

History

Formation

The Royal Canadian Regiment was formed 21 December 1883, under the name of the "Infantry School Corps". The regiment was known by a variety of names until "The Royal Canadian Regiment" became official. There have been three occasions when there have been more than one battalion of The RCR. First was during the time of the Boer War, when 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry constituted Canada's initial involvement in that war. 3rd (Special Service) battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry occupied Wellington Barracks in Halifax, NS and conducted garrison duties there. The second was at the tail end of the Second World War when a second battalion, RCR was formed for duty in Japan. Finally, during the Korean War, 3rd battalion was formed on 10 January 1951. 3 RCR served in Korea from March 1953 until March 1954.

During a reorganisation of the Canadian Army in the early 1950s, 3 RCR ceased being on the regular force order of battle. 3 RCR was the designation of the militia battalion of The RCR.

3 RCR was once again a regular force battalion when it assumed duties as a mechanised infantry battalion of 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, taking over 3 (Mechanized) Commando of the Canadian Airborne Regiment. It served in Baden, Germany, until 1984, when it was replaced by 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. It then was based in Winnipeg as part of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. It then returned to Germany in 1988, where it stayed until 1993, following the end of the Cold War. It was then designated a so-called "10/90" battalion and was based at CFB Borden. (These battalions were composed of 10% regular force members, and 90% reserve force members.)

3 RCR was stood up as a full-fledged regular force infantry battalion in 1996, and was designated as a light infantry battalion, consisting of three rifle companies, a combat support company and a combat service support company:

  • M Company (Airborne)
  • N Company (Air Assault)
  • O Company (Mountain)
  • Q Company (Combat Support)
  • R Company (Combat Service Support)

Korean War

3 RCR replaced 2 RCR in Korea in early 1953. Early in May the battalion withstood a strong enemy assault on its position about Hill 187. The attack was repulsed, but the engagement cost the Canadians heavy casualties – 26 killed, 27 wounded and seven taken prisoner.[1]

3 RCR as a reserve battalion

In 1954 two London, Ontario Militia regiments, the Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (MG) and The Oxford Rifles were amalgamated and redesignated The London and Oxford Fusiliers (3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment). This unit thus became the reserve component of the RCR. In 1958, it was renamed 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (London and Oxford Fusiliers).

The Militia battalion changed from the 3rd to the 4th Battalion in 1970 when The Canadian Guards were reduced to nil strength and the soldiers of that regiment's 2nd Battalion (at CFB Petawawa) became the restored 3rd Battalion, The RCR, on the Regular Force order of battle. This amalgamation also brought to the regiment the perpetuation of a number of battalions of the First World War Canadian Expeditionary Force, including the 1st, 33rd, 71st, 142nd and 168th Battalions as well as the 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps.

Cold War

3 RCR was one of two infantry battalions that formed Canada's commitment to NATO. It assumed duties from 3 Mechanised Commando, Canadian Airborne Regiment in 1977. It was stationed in Baden-Söllingen, Germany, as part of 4 CMBG. It remained there until 1984, when it was replaced by 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. 3 RCR was then stationed in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1988, 3 RCR was once again rotated to Germany. At this time, it deployed with four rifle companies instead of the usual three rifle companies. It consisted of the following:

  • M Company (Mechanized Infantry)
  • N Company (Mechanized Infantry)
  • O Company (Mechanized Infantry)
  • P Company (Mechanized Infantry)
  • Q Company (Combat Support)
  • R Company (Combat Service Support)

3 RCR remained in Germany until 1993, when 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group was stood down following the end of the Cold War.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

3 RCR deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina twice as part of SFOR. The first tour in 1998–1999 as Rotation 3 for Operation Palladium under command of Lieutenant Colonel Jorgensen and then again in 2001 as Rotation 8 under command of Lieutenant Colonel Thompson.

Afghanistan

3 RCR served in Afghanistan three times. The first tour was in Kabul in 2003/2004 as Rotation 0 for Operation Athena as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the second consisting of Reconnaissance Platoon in 2005 as augmentation of the Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) reconnaissance squadron, during Rotation 4 of Operation Athena and Rotation 0 of Operation Archer in Kandahar. Later as Rotation 6 for Operation Athena in Kandahar in 2008/2009. 1st Platoon, M Company was featured in the Discovery Channel documentary series Combat School while training for their first operational deployment to Afghanistan.

Kabul

As part of Canada's commitment to Afghanistan as part of ISAF, 3 RCR deployed to Kabul, in summer 2003. It was based out of Camp Julien. The 3 RCR Battlegroup (3 RCR BG) was augmented by "C" Company, 1 RCR. 3 RCR BG served in Kabul until early 2004, when it was replaced by a battle group of the Royal 22e Régiment. In 2005 the Reconnaissance Platoon, including a sniper section, was attached to the RCD reconnaissance squadron for Rotation 4 of Operation Athena and the subsequent Rotation 0 of Operation Archer as Canada's involvement in Afghanistan transitioned to Kandahar.

Kandahar

In anticipation of its deployment to Afghanistan in autumn 2008, 3 RCR reroled into a mechanized infantry battalion. It formed the core of Task Force 3–08 Battle Group (TF 3–08 BG), augmented by:

(A Squadron was augmented by a troop from the RCD.)

3 RCR BG served in Kandahar from 21 September 2008 until 15 April 2009.

Counter-Insurgency Operations in 2010

In 2010, Oscar Company was deployed to Khandahar as a mechanized rifle company in support of the 1 RCR Battle Group as a part of Task Force 1-10. Having completed extensive training in Fort Irwin, California and CFB Petawawa, Oscar Company was ready to fight in counter-insurgency style combat. While deployed in theatre, Oscar Company's three mechanized rifle platoons were individually deployed to various combat outposts in Panjwayi District, where they were in a state of continuous combat over the summer of 2010.[2] All three platoons were proactively engaged in counter-insurgency operations.[3] Over the course of the deployment, one platoon, who were ominously located along 'Route Nightmare', suffered a high number of casualties from IED and ambush attacks.[4] Despite 2010's fighting season being the deadliest on record, Oscar Company suffered few combat deaths.[5] Surprisingly, despite high praise from all levels of command for their courageuousness and indefatigability during months of sustained combat, no members of Oscar Company were awarded any medals for valour, or for bravery.[6]

Post-deployment and reconstitution

In 2010, the M (Parachute) Company Group, consisting of combat engineer, mortar team, medical, and signals attachments took shape. They deployed as a group for the first time in February 2011 participating in an exercise with the US Army 82nd Airborne Division.

Shortly thereafter, N (Airmobile) Company, deployed to Yuma, Arizona, United States, to participate in the US Marine Corps' Weapons and Tactics Instructors course. This was done to set the foundations for 3 RCR's re-roling into the Canadian Army's officially designated air-mobile battalion.

O Company were given greater attention, as well, and began preparations to give the battalion a fast-rope capability and successfully conducted their first series of fast-rope training exercises.

The advanced training currently being conducted provides the light air-mobile battalion three feasible insertion methods for light-infantry tasks. Currently, 3 RCR is preparing and training to welcome the Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter to Petawawa.

In late October and early November 2018, a contingent from the battalion, alongside the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, which provided musical support, mounted the Queen's Guard. The event was one of the rare occasions that a Canadian Forces unit wore an authorized Atholl-grey winter greatcoat.[7]

Battalion leadership

Commanding officer

A native of Toronto, Lt.-Col. Ben Irvine enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1998 and joined the Royal Canadian Regiment in 2001. He has spent 11 years with 2 CMBG having served in 3 RCR, 1 RCR and 2 CMBG HQ. Operationally, Lt.-Col. Irvine has deployed three times to Afghanistan (2003-04, 2006 and 2010) and most recently to Palestine (2017-18). His staff experience has been largely in the operations and training domain at the battalion and brigade levels. Operational and joint experience include three and a half years with the former Canadian Expeditionary Forces Command and one year at the Canadian Army Headquarters.

Lt.-Col. Irvine holds an honours degree in political science and economics, and a masters of defence studies from RMC. He has shared his journey through the Canadian Armed Forces with his wife Alinah and their two dogs

Regimental sergeant-major

Chief Warrant Officer Martens joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a reserve Infantryman with the Princess of Wales Own Regiment in Kingston, Ontario, in January of 1990. After 4 years of service there, he transferred to the Regular Force, again as an Infantryman, this time with The Royal Canadian Regiment.

Upon completion of Battleschool training, CWO Martens was posted to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (1RCR), in Petawawa, Ontario. He served there for the next 14 years, spending the majority of his time employed as a member of the Battalion’s Reconnaissance Platoon, but also spending time in The Duke’s Company, Bravo Company, and the Battalion Signals platoon. CWO Martens rose through the ranks at 1RCR, eventually becoming a Sergeant.

During his time at 1RCR, he completed five overseas missions, and one domestic mission. UNPROFOR Croatia 1994-1995, SFOR Bosnia 1998, KFOR Kosovo 1999-2000, Kabul, Afghanistan 2005, and Kandahar Province, Afghanistan 2006-2007. Domestically,CWO Martens deployed to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1997 to fight the Red River floods.

After returning from a combat rotation in Kandahar Province in 2007, CWO Martens was posted to Trenton, Ontario, as a Parachute Instructor at the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre. While there, he spent the majority of his posting teaching all aspects of static line round and military freefall courses, and was eventually promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer. He finished his posting to CFLAWC as the Operations Warrant Officer, responsible primarily for coordinating airlift assets in support of training.

In 2011, CWO Martens was posted back to Petawawa, this time to the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (3RCR), a light/airmobile infantry battalion. While posted to 3RCR, he was employed as the Platoon Warrant Officer of 5 Platoon, N Company, and eventually as the Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS) of O, M, and R Companies, deploying to Poland on Operation REASSURANCE with M Company as the Land Task Force Sergeant-Major in 2014. In 2015 CWO Martens was promoted to MWO, and had the privilege of being appointed as the Company Sergeant-Major (CSM) of Mike Company, the Battalion’s Parachute Company. After a little over a year with Mike Company, he was appointed as the CSM of Quebec Company, the Battalion’s combat support company, and then as the Operations Sergeant-Major for the Battalion. In 2017, CWO Martens deployed to Ukraine on Operation UNIFIER as the Task Force Camp Sergeant-Major. Upon returning from Ukraine, CWO Martens was employed as the CSM for Romeo Company, the Battalion’s Combat Service Support Company. In August of 2018, CWO Martens was posted to Chief of Force Development at NDHQ, filling an analyst position within Director General Capability and Structure Integration. Following a year at CFD, CWO Martens was posted back to Petawawa in 2019, this time filling the role of Drill Sergeant-Major of 1RCR. In December of 2019, CWO Martens was invested into the Order of Military Merit on the 70th list.

In April of 2020, CWO Martens was promoted to his current rank and posted to 3RCR, assuming the appointment of Regimental Sergeant-Major.

Cap badge

"An eight-pointed diamond cut star; upon the star a raised circle surmounted by the crown; within the raised circle, the block letters "VRI", the Imperial Cypher of Queen Victoria." (Description of the badge of The RCR as presented in Regiments and Corps of the Canadian Army, published by the Army Historical Section, 1964)

The letters VRI on the cap badge of The RCR stand for Victoria Regina Imperatrix, which is Latin for "Victoria, Queen and Empress". The right to wear the imperial cypher and crown was granted to the regiment by Queen Victoria in 1893.

When a royal or imperial cypher forms part of the badge of a regiment it is normal for it to change with each succeeding sovereign. During the period 1901 to 1919, the officially authorized versions of the regiment's cap badge were those with Edward VII's and George V's cyphers, although the regiment continued to use the "VRI" ensigned badges throughout this time while petitioning for their formal return. In 1919, George V granted the RCR permission to wear "VRI" in perpetuity – a unique privilege.

Regimental colours
The Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel-in-Chief of RCR, presenting the 3rd Battalion with their Regimental Colours in April 2013

The 3rd Battalion received their regimental colours from Prince Philip, the regiment's colonel-in-chief, during a private working visit to Toronto in April 2013.[8] The colours were received at Queen's Park and followed by a parade back to Fort York.

References
  1. "Canadians in Korea, 1950–1953". Ed Evanhoe. Archived from the original on 21 April 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  2. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2010/07/16/on_the_battlefield_canadian_soldiers_get_permission_to_shoot.html
  3. https://legionmagazine.com/en/2011/03/assignment-afghanistan-kill-town-salavat/
  4. https://legionmagazine.com/en/2011/01/assignment-afghanistan-go-down-nightmare/
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/world/asia/22afghan.html
  6. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/medals/publications.html
  7. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2018/10/the-royal-canadian-regiment-and-the-royal-canadian-artillery-band-to-assume-public-duties-as-the-queens-guard.html
  8. "Prince Philip presented with Order of Canada during royal visit to Toronto". toronto.citynews.ca.
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