Col. Guy Hamel officially assumed the role of Canadian Forces Support Training Group/CFB Borden Commanding Officer Friday morning. He has been living on the local base since last Tuesday.
"(My goals are) to make sure everyone works as a team and continues to work as a team," said Hamel.
Hamel said he's getting a feel for the Borden right now. He anticipates by mid-September he'll have a clear understanding of what his priorities are.
One program Hamel is overseeing is for Aboriginal youth. It will have Aboriginals not enrolled in the Canadian Forces visit the base and get a flavour for life in the forces.
To show the commitment to the First Nations, a smudging ceremony was included in the assumption of command ceremony. The ceremony had Hamel and Maj.-Gen. Daniel Gosselin cover themselves with the smoke from a burning bundle of sage, sweet grass and cedar. It was held after the prayers and led by Moose Cree First Nation's Tom Morrison.
Gosselin, who is the Commander of the Canadian Defence Academy in Kingston, handed Hamel the traditional sword, showing the change of leadership.
When not taking part in official duties, Gosselin also kept the short ceremony light-hearted.
At one point he sat in Hamel's seat rather than his own, joking with the incoming leader. The good-humour is in stark contrast to the quick removal of Hamel's predecessor.
Capt. Fred Schmidt was removed from his commanding officer post in July. The removal was after an internal investigation found he made inappropriate verbal "advances" towards two female officers.
Because it was an administrative investigation and not a disciplinary one Schmidt won't face a court martial or be demoted. Col. Mike Sweeney filled the position in the interim.
Gosselin said Hamel has the confidence of the Canadian Forces to take the lead on what is one of the largest bases.
He said changes within Canadian Forces as a whole are also changing. Budgets are increasing, and there are efforts to sign-up 8,000 new recruits this year, a leap from the 1,200 normally recruited.
"We're seeing unprecedented change with the way learning is taking place in the Canadian Forces," said Gosselin. "It is up to us to ride this wave and the opportunity that was given to us."
Hamel is familiar with being in command.
To take the Borden position he left the National Defence Headquarters where he was the director of Air Strategic Plans on the Air Staff. He has also been the commanding officer of 403 Squadron in Gagetown, N.B. and was the chief of staff of the Standing Contingency Force.
Hamel joined the Canadian Forces in 1980 and has climbed the ranks since then. His early years were spent as a helicopter pilot in Gagetown, NB. He has a bachelors degree in military and strategic studies from the Royal Military College of Canada and is a graduate of United States Air War College.
He made the move to CFB Borden with his wife and four children.
