Standing Orders - Chapter 2
Regimental Organization

201. General

The regimental affairs of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery are regulated both by tradition and by a combination of appointments and governing bodies.

202. Royal and Honorary Appointments

1. The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery is honoured by acceptance by the Sovereign of a Royal Appointment. Royal Appointments are held by members of the Royal Family and are for life. The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery is also honoured by and extends honour to distinguished personages by means of Honorary Appointments within the Regiment and within individual units.

2. The reigning Sovereign holds the Royal Appointment of Captain-General. In the Canadian Forces, the appointment of Captain-General is unique to The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.

3. A distinguished retired officer of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery holds the Honorary Appointment of Colonel Commandant.

4. Artillery units of the Primary Reserve may nominate retired officers or distinguished Canadian citizens to the appointment of Honorary Colonel or Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel.

203. The Captain-General

1. The Captain-General is the ceremonial head of the Royal Regiment of Artillery and of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.

2. During a guest night at Woolwich in December 1950, His Majesty King George VI expressed a desire to change his title from Colonel-in-Chief to Captain-General. This change in title was effected on 26 January 1951, thus reviving an old rank, which dates from the fifteenth century. The rank of Captain-General had been replaced by that of Field Marshal in 1736 although it did not actually disappear from common usage until about 1799.

3. The Royal Canadian Artillery requested that His Majesty change his Canadian title as he had done for the Royal Artillery, and on 10 January 1952, His Majesty became the Captain-General of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.

4. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, was graciously pleased on coronation in 1953 to assume the appointment of Captain-General of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. (Extra issue Canada Gazette Number 7 dated 1 June 1953).

204. The Colonel Commandant

1. The office of Colonel Commandant is an honorary one. It symbolizes the Regimental family and traditions drawing together all its members: serving and retired; regular and reserve. CFAO 3-4 refers.

2. Distinguished retired officers of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, normally in the rank of Colonel or above, are eligible for the appointment of Colonel Commandant. After consultation with artillery units, senior gunner officers, the Artillery Council and the Royal Canadian Artillery Association, the Director of Artillery submits a recommendation for the appointment of Colonel Commandant to the Chief of the Defence Staff. The Chief of the Defence Staff then submits the recommendation to the Minister of National Defence for approval. The appointment is then authorized by the Governor General.

3. It is the duty of the Colonel Commandant to:

a. foster esprit-de-corps throughout the Regiment;

b. provide the channel of communication to the Captain-General and to the Master Gunner St. James’s Park;

c. advise on all matters of significance to the Regiment and in particular on:

(1) dress, customs and traditions,

(2) regimental charities, museums, memorials and organizations,

(3) the disposition of regimental non-public funds and property,

(4) regimental publications, and

(5) the naming of artillery buildings and properties;

d. maintain close liaison between the Regular and Reserve Force components of The Royal Regiment and between The Royal Regiment and other branches;

e. advise the Director of Artillery and The Royal Canadian Artillery Association (in which he is an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee) on all artillery matters; and

f. oversee affiliations with allied regiments or units.

4. The tenure of office is normally three years. Extensions in office beyond the initial term may be approved by the Chief of the Defence Staff on the recommendation of the Director of Artillery.

5. The Colonel Commandant and the Master Gunner, St. James’s Park form the link between The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery and the Royal Regiment of Artillery. The Master Gunner, St. James’s Park is the head of the Royal Regiment of Artillery in all regimental matters, and traditionally, as the Sovereign’s advisor on artillery matters, takes a keen interest in the affairs of Commonwealth artillery. The appointment of Master Gunner, Saint James’s Park, which dates from 1263, is made by the Captain-General.

6. A direct channel of communication is authorized between the Colonel Commandant and the Director of Artillery. The Colonel Commandant may also communicate with:

a. the Captain-General regarding significant Regimental activities and exchange of birthday or similar greetings;

b. Commanders of Commands; and

c. the Chief of the Defence Staff.

7. The Colonel Commandant sends loyal greetings to Her Majesty the Queen at Christmas, on Artillery Day (26 May) and on St. Barbara’s Day (4 December). He may also send loyal greetings on any other occasions which warrant such action.

8. The Colonel Commandant, as head of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, should be consulted on arrangements for visits and celebrations involving other organizations and distinguished persons.

9. Arrangements for the Colonel Commandant’s visits and travel are made through the office of the Director of Artillery. It will be normal for an ADC to be appointed from the unit to assist the Colonel Commandant during his visit.

10. The Colonel Commandant, as an officer appointed in accordance with QR&O 3.06, shall wear the current uniform, insignia, accoutrements and accessories appropriate to the honorary rank and appointment which he holds.

11. Portraits of the Colonels Commandant hang in the RCA Officers’ Mess at CFB Shilo. A list of the serving and past Colonels Commandant is at Annex A.

205. Honorary Colonels and Lieutenant-Colonels

1. Within the Primary Reserve, Honorary Colonels and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonels may be appointed for regiments and independent batteries.

2. Honorary Colonels and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonels assist and advise their regiment or battery on such matters as regimental traditions, dress, procedure and finances.

3. Honorary Colonels and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonels are chosen from among retired officers or citizens prominent in the community. They are appointed for an initial period of three years. The appointees are normally selected by unit Commanding Officers in consultation with their advisors. The subsequent recommendation is submitted through the chain of command for approval by the Minister of National Defence.

206. The Artillery Council

1. The Artillery Council has been formed to provide advice and guidance to the Director of Artillery on artillery matters.

2. The Artillery Council comprises the Colonel Commandant and all serving Reserve and Regular Force artillery General Officers. The senior serving Regular Force artillery General Officer is the Chair. The Director of Artillery is a member of the council and acts as secretary. The Commander Home Station, when a Gunner, is an invited member of the Council. The RCAA nominates a representative to the council after consultation between the President of the RCAA and the Chairman of the Artillery Council.

3. The Council meets at the direction of the Chairman, normally twice yearly, and considers such matters as are placed before it by the Chairman or the Secretary. The Artillery Council reviews and recommends the filling of key artillery appointments and approves all major policy initiatives and decisions.

207. The Director of Artillery

1. Throughout the history of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, there has normally been a senior serving artillery officer appointed and made responsible to provide direction to the Regiment. The duties have varied, as have the titles, whether Inspector of Artillery or Officer Administering the Royal Canadian Artillery or the present-day Director of Artillery. With the move of the Director of Artillery to NDHQ and the closure of G3 Artillery at LFCHQ, a number of responsibilities that were normally held by the Director of Artillery were transferred to the Commander Home Station (see Article 208).

2. Branch Advisor. The Director of Artillery is the focal point for Artillery Branch identity, and provides essential input into the maintenance of the “good health” of all Artillery MOCs (22, 021, 022, R22, R26, R021, and R022). The Director identifies problems, prepares position papers, and can report directly to the Commander of the Army on matters related to professional standards, career patterns, trade specifications and structures, force development, force employment, training and doctrine.

3. Regimental Affairs

a. Governance

(1) secretary for Artillery Council,

(2) chair for the RCA Advisory Board,

(3) representative at the Conference of Defence Associations,

(4) ex-officio member of the Executive Committee of the Royal Canadian Artillery Association,

(5) liaison with all artillery associations,

(6) chair Director of Artillery Conference,

(7) act as the official link between the Regiment and the Colonel Commandant,

(8) provide guidance to the RCA Executive Board,

(9) provide guidance for the maintenance of artillery funds, non-public property,competitions, museums and ceremonial standards,

(10) recommend allied affiliations, exchange of officers, and honorary appointments related to the Regiment,

(11) appoint Extra Regimentally Employed (ERE) representatives for both officers and non-commissioned members (NCMs) of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. These representatives in turn voice the concerns of ERE officers and NCMs to the Director, as well as keeping ERE members informed on current artillery affairs, and

(12) appoint the Regimental Sergeant-Major of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery (RSM RCA);

b. Colonel Commandant

(1) Assist the Colonel Commandant in the performance of his duties,

(2) appoint a permanent staff officer to:

(a) arrange/coordinate the Colonel Commandant’s calendar, travel arrangements and personal administrative requirements,

(b) provide information on Regimental matters as required,

(c) assist in speech preparations as requested by the Colonel Commandant, and

(d) conduct other duties as directed by the Director of Artillery;

(3) budget and manage the Colonel Commandant’s financial account,

(4) provide a DND telephone calling card,

(5) provide information on all major developments and activities within The Royal Regiment, and

(6) initiate and staff the selection and appointment process for new Colonel Commandants;

c. Communications

(1) provide periodic artillery SITREPS to the Commander of the Army, and the entire Royal Regiment,

(2) report annually to the Royal Canadian Artillery Association, and

(3) report to the Artillery Council as required;

d. Correspondence. Advise the Regimental Headquarters of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery (RHQ RCA) of any special correspondence requirements in addition to those listed at Article 208, para 2.c.

4. Personnel/Career Management

a. provide the Chief of the Land Staff with the Regimental recommendations for commanding officer appoitments for consideration by the LFC Command Selection Board;

b. prepare the command plot for all Regular Commanding Officers, 2ICs and Battery Commanders;

c. provide advice to the Commander of the Army Selection Board on the selection of Reserve Commanding Officers;

d. prepare the appointment plot for all Regular CWOs; and

e. liaise with the officer and NCM career managers on issues related to postings, reengagements, promotion boards, promotion forecasts, releases, MOC profiles and occupational analysis.

5. Equipment. Liaise with Director Land Requirements staff (DLR 2 Firepower) and monitor developments with respect to artillery policy regarding equipment requirements, modifications, scales and trials; CFTOs; and ammunition.

6. Artillery Master Development Plans. Coordinate with Director Land Requirements staff (DLR 2 Firepower) the upkeep of the Field and Air Defence Master Development Plans.

7. Doctrine. Liaise and coordinate with Director Army Doctrine staff (DAD 7 Firepower and DAD 11 Force Structure) on doctrinal matters.

8. Organization/Structures. Liaise and coordinate with Director Army Doctrine staff (DAD 11 Force Structure) and Director Concepts Staff on matters related to artillery organizations/structures.

9. Force Readiness. Liaise and coordinate with Director Land Force Readiness staff on readiness and employment options for artillery forces.

10. Concepts. Liaise and coordinate with Director Army Training staff on strategic concepts and force development planning issues affecting artillery forces.

11. Training. Liaise and coordinate with Director Army Training staff on matters related to artillery training development, policy, evaluation and professional development.

12. Special Projects. Provide direction and guidance on any project which will enhance the well-being of The Royal Regiment.

13. Miscellaneous

a. Any matter as directed by the Colonel Commandant and Artillery Council; and

b. Any matter that is considered to have an impact on the well-being of The Royal Regiment.

14. He is assisted in the performance of his duties by the staff of RHQ RCA, and selected officers at NDHQ.

15. A list of the current and past Directors of Artillery is at Annex B.

208. Commander Home Station

1. As CFB Shilo has been designated the Home Station of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, the Base Commander, if an artillery officer, becomes automatically the Commander Home Station.

2. The principal duty of the Commander Home Station is to oversee all non-public affairs of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery for the benefit of all serving and former serving members. Specifically this includes:

a. Governance

(1) invited member of the Artillery Council,

(2) member of the RCA Advisory Board,

(3) responsible for the RCA Standing Orders,

(4) responsible for the RCA Administrative Manual, and

(5) assistance to the Director of Artillery;

b. Communications and Public Relations

(1) The Canadian Gunner,

(2) the Quadrant,

(3) the RCA web site, and

(4) appropriate brochures/flyers as required;

c. Correspondence

(1) Loyal greetings and birthday greetings (on behalf of the Colonel Commandant),

(2) preparation of appropriate letters for the Colonel Commandant and the Director of Artillery for:

(a) senior appointments,

(b) unit and sub-unit command appointments,

(c) RSM appointments,

(d) awards and commendations,

(e) promotions,

(f) death and illnesses, and

(g) other noteworthy events;

(3) preparation of information letters to senior retired RCA officers and ERE members;

d. Junior Officers’ Course. Planning and conduct of the course, including correspondence with and coordination of guest speakers;

e. Supporting Commander for The Royal Canadian Artillery Museum

(1) the RCA Museum Board is responsible to the Supporting Commander for overall governance of the museum, and

(2) the Supporting Commander ensures that the traditions and history of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery are maintained through the operation and maintenance of the RCA Museum;

f. RCA Regimental Fund

(1) President of the RCA Executive Board, and

(2) responsibilities include:

(a) financial status of the RCA Regimental Fund,

(b) investments,

(c) RCA Regimental Fund Programmes, including but not restricted to Bursaries, Soldier Recognition, Emergency assistance and Communications, and

(d) communicating information concerning all aspects of the RCA Regimental Fund business to all members of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.

3. The RCA Regimental Fund is discussed in more detail in Chapter 3. A list of the current and past Commanders Home Station is at Annex C.

209. Regimental Headquarters RCA

1. To ensure that the affairs of the Regiment are handled in a professional and expeditious manner, a small staff is located at the Home Station and is known as Regimental Headquarters RCA (RHQ RCA). They are responsible to the Commander Home Station for the detailed management of the RCA Regimental Fund, the RCA Museum and the RCA Kit Shop and other regimentally related matters. These matters include maintenance of a Regimental database, operation of the RCA Web Site, publication of The Canadian Gunner and Quadrant, and assisting the Colonel Commandant, the Director of Artillery and the Commander Home Station in the performance of their duties.

2. The staff consists of:

a. the Regimental Major;

b. the Regimental Adjutant;

c. the Director RCA Museum; and

d. sufficient staff to conduct the affairs of the Regiment. This staff is provided normally by 1 RCHA, the Home Station Regiment, as agreed to by the Director of Artillery.

3. In addition to the RHQ RCA staff, there is also a Regimental Sergeant-Major (RSM RCA). The Director of Artillery appoints a Chief Warrant Officer to fill this position, normally the RSM of the Artillery School.

210. The Royal Canadian Artillery Association

1. The Royal Canadian Artillery Association (RCAA) was founded in 1876 with the object of promoting the efficiency and welfare of the Royal Canadian Artillery and other matters pertaining to the defence of Canada. A general meeting of the RCAA is normally held annually.

2. The following are eligible for membership:

a. all serving artillery officers and NCMs, both regular and reserve; and

b. all retired artillery officers and NCMs of the Canadian and of other Commonwealth and NATO forces acceptable to the Association.

3. The following may affiliate with the RCAA:

a. artillery regiments and independent batteries;

b. artillery schools; and

c. artillery associations.

4. Any person deemed to have rendered outstanding service to the artillery may be elected an Honorary Life Member of the RCAA at a General Meeting. Record of service in The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery will normally be the principal factor in selection.

5. Any serving or retired officer of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery may make application to become a Life Member. The application should be forwarded to the Secretary of the RCAA for consideration at the next General Meeting.

6. Application for membership and information about dues may be obtained through the Regimental Major.

(211 to 299 inclusive - not allocated)

• Annex A to Chapter 2 Colonels Commandant of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
• Annex B to Chapter 2 Officers Administering Royal Canadian Artillery and Directors of Artillery or Equivalent
• Annex C to Chapter 2 Commanders of A3 CATC Shilo and Commanders Home Station The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
• Standing Orders Chapter 3 Regimental Finances and Property