The Brigadier-General E.B. Beno Award for Leadership in the Rank of Sergeant

Introduction

Funds are allocated annually towards an award to one Regular Force and one Reserve Force Sergeant, each of whom demonstrates outstanding leadership that has a positive effect on The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. The award was approved in its current form at The RCA Senate meeting of 22 February 13. The trophy is an 18 Pounder Gun with Limber handcrafted by Lieutenant-Colonel David Ely (RCA) and donated by his son, Mister John Ely. The names of the recipients are inscribed on the wooden mount and each is given a certificate signed by Colonel Commandant, Regimental Colonel and RCA RSM in recognition of their leadership abilities along with a miniature pace stick that they can keep.

Eligibility

Open to all substantive Sergeants of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, as well as all Sergeants of other trades/branches serving within units of The Royal Regiment during the assessment period.

Criteria

The Award is for the individual whose performance has demonstrated, over the period of the assessment year, outstanding leadership, emphasizing the example set, the gaining of the respect of his or her subordinates, peers and superiors, and the positive effect on The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. Factors that should be considered in the selection include competence, confidence, courage, fitness, integrity, military achievement, self-improvement, education advancement, and loyal and dedicated service to The Royal Regiment.

Procedures

The assessment period will be from 1 April to 31 March annually.

Within units of The Royal Regiment, nominations may be made by any individual and forwarded through the unit chain of command. Within other sections/units, submission may be made through the senior Gunners in the region/area.

Nominations for the Award shall be made by a written narrative composed for readers who are unfamiliar with the member. The narrative must concentrate on highlighting the accomplishments of exceptional leadership and conspicuous merit displayed by the Sergeant. The narrative shall be a maximum of one page with a font of Times New Roman, 11 point. The use of obscure acronyms and terminology should be avoided. At a minimum, submissions must be signed by a MWO and Major, but ideally by a CWO and LCol (RSM and CO) using the nomination form. All submissions are to be forwarded directly to the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant no later than 1 April.

RHQ will forward all submissions electronically, less personal and unit identifying information, to the RCA H&A Committee who will make recommendations for both the Regular and Reserve Force. These recommendations will then be submitted to the Regimental Colonel, who, in collaboration with the RSM RCA, shall approve the award recipients.

The nomination form is available here.

The recipients of the Award will be announced on 26 May of each year. The presentations will occur at a later date by the Colonel Commandant and RSM RCA or appropriate senior RCA leadership.

Home units of the recipients will forward the member’s photo to the RHQ QMSI and to the Adjutant RCAS to be posted for the year in close proximity of the trophy.

Recipients

2022

Regular Component: Sergeant Jonathan Turpin, 1 RCHA
Reserve Component: Sergeant Chad Surette, 84 Independent Field Battery RCA

2021

Regular Component: Sergeant Michael Goiziou-Gallant, 2 RCHA
Reserve Component: Sergeant Douglas Bailey, 11th Field Regiment RCA

2020

Regular Component:  Sergeant B.J. Horst, The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School
Reserve Component:  Sergeant D. Ames, 20th Independent Field Battery RCA

2019

Regular Component:  Sergeant S.S. Wiseman, 2nd Regiment RCHA
Reserve Component:  Sergeant J.L. Anderson, 20th Field Regiment RCA

2018

Regular Component:  Sergeant C.C. Hale CD, 4th Regiment (GS) RCA
Reserve Component:  Sergeant E.V.M. Windl CD, 10th Field Regiment RCA

2017

Regular Component:  Sergeant Belair, 4th Regiment (GS) RCA
Reserve Component:  Sergeant Magill, 116th Independent Field Battery RCA

2016

Regular Component:  Sergeant J.W. Palmer, The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School
Reserve Component:  Sergeant J.A. Robichaud, 3rd Field Regiment (The Loyal Company) RCA

2015

Regular Component:  Sergeant M. Flynn, The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School
Reserve Component:  Sergeant T. Bankasingh, 7th Toronto Regiment RCA

2014

Regular Component:  Sergeant T. Curnew, 4th Regiment (GS) RCA
Reserve Component:  Sergeant G. Philpott, 56th Field Regiment RCA

2013

Regular Component:  Sergeant D. King, 2nd Regiment RCHA
Reserve Component:  Sergeant J. Cavin, 56th Field Regiment RCA