Canadian Army Podcast

The Canadian Army is accelerating its modernization — introducing new weapons and technologies to meet emerging threats. But before anything is bought or fired, a critical step must be taken: ensuring it’s actually legal to use. Major Michael Smith is a Canadian Armed Forces legal officer with the Directorate of International Operational Law. He explains how international humanitarian law shapes the weapons Canada develops, acquires, and uses. Find out why some weapons are banned, how others can be used legally or illegally depending on context, and how Canada works to keep warfare within the bounds of humanity — even as technology evolves. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2026

The battlefield is saturated with explosives—from factory‑made munitions and improvised bombs to drones delivering lethal payloads. At the same time, unexploded ordnance from past wars may still lie hidden beneath the ground. Neutralizing these threats is essential to keeping troops moving and civilians safe. This is where Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operators like Master Warrant Officer Marty Gratrix come in. He offers an inside look at a career spent defusing danger with no room for error. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2026

Ever wonder how the infantry is structured and fights on the battlefield? Lieutenant-Colonel Cullen Downey from The Royal Canadian Regiment breaks down everything from the fire team to a battalion, exploring leadership, tactics, and specializations. A must‑listen for anyone curious about the soldiers at the pointy end of the spear. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2026

Lieutenant-General Michael Wright says the Army we have is not the Army we need – and that is about to change. To kick off season 7, the Army Commander outlines an ambitious modernization agenda: a major structural realignment, new weapons and capabilities, and new personal kit for soldiers. All this so the Army can evolve beyond "contribution warfare" missions and be ready for large-scale combat operations. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2026

Troops are notoriously tough on their gear—armoured vehicles, weapons, field equipment, and electronics all take a beating. But have no fear, we have the right people across the country and overseas to get everything back in working order! In this episode, Master Warrant Officer Josh Wolfrom talks about the critical work of the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME). Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2025

They say amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics. Making sure front line soldiers have everything they need, from ammunition to vehicles and everything in between, means that the fighters can focus on operations. Lieutenant-Colonel Nathan Richards is the Commanding Officer of the National Support Element in Latvia. He explains how his team runs the logistics hub in support of the Canadian-led Multinational Brigade. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2025

Making sure bombs hit their targets is no easy job, and it’s not only up to the pilots. Dive into the world of Joint Terminal Attack Controllers with Warrant Officer Jace Avery to learn about the people who keep one eye on the sky and one on the ground. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2025

Mystery surrounds the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR), making it the subject of many myths. Lieutenant-Colonel Declan Ward is the Commanding Officer of CSOR and sheds some light on what happens in the shadows of special operations. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2025

Making a career change can be difficult. It becomes more challenging when that process takes several months or, in many cases, years to navigate the bureaucracy of it all. Major Matt Cooke from Army Personnel Management explains how his team is fast-tracking transfers between the Reserve and Regular Forces, and why it’s easier for people who have left the Army to get back in. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2025

If you haven’t seen the artillery in action, it’s quite the spectacle. They have big guns that can deliver accurate fire over a few dozen kilometres, and one of the most reassuring feelings you can have is getting cover from afar when you need it. Throw in some drones, observers, and now air defence, you’ve got the makings of a very cool trade. Meet one of the people who make it all happen in this episode featuring Sergeant Daran Caines from the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2025

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) materials are often the plot point in disaster and action movies. For soldiers, they are a potential threat on the battlefield or when responding to a domestic crisis. Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Hubble is the Director of the Joint CBRN Defence team, and he explains how the Army does all the heavy thinking about CBRN for the Canadian Armed Forces. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

The Canadian Army’s new Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) is already making trails in Latvia. But why did we get it, and what can it do? Find out from the source, Major Samir Khelil, who is the LTV Project Director. He answers many of the questions people have been asking on social media. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

The podcast is taking a little time off and will be back in the fall. Here's a preview of some of the topics that will be covered in season 6. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

Warfare is far more complicated than throwing some troops with equipment onto a wide-open field and seeing who wins. There are hospitals, homes, factories, and many other things that make decisions exceptionally complicated for both soldiers and the people who live where war happens. Commander Marc-André Vary is a Legal Officer, one of his jobs is to help commanders and soldiers understand how the Law of Armed Conflict applies when there are only seconds to make the right choice. The Soldier’s Handbook on the Law of Armed Conflict Applicable to Land Warfare Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

We all know tanks are great, but they don’t do it alone. The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps uses firepower, speed, and protection to defend and take terrain in coordination with the infantry. Colonel Fraser Auld is the Director of the Armoured Corps, and he gives the rundown on how armoured fighting vehicles fit into the bigger picture on the battlefield. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

It’s no secret that science drives innovation, and the same is true in warfare. Jean-François Morel is the Director General of R&D Science and Engineering at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). It’s a big title but a fitting one, because there’s a whole lot of research happening, and he’s the person keeping it all moving. Listen in to find out what DRDC is doing to help the Army stay ahead of the curve on the battlefield. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

Want to know what it takes to get things into gear for a big mission? Colonel Cédric Aspirault from 5 CMBG is preparing to be the first commander of the multinational Forward Land Forces Brigade in Latvia. He’s working with our NATO allies to put the Brigade together and has a lot of thoughts on what is needed to complete the job. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

Musicians. The military has many of them and for good reason. They are there to help us celebrate the good times and reflect during sombre times. Corporals Hélène Fortier and Michel Cousineau of the Regimental Band of the Governor General’s Foot Guards go into detail about life as a musician and their role within the Forces. And of course, they give a performance in the podcast studio! Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2024

Ever wonder what it takes to get soldiers out the door and responding to domestic emergencies? It’s more than just filling up a truck with troops, shovels, sandbags and rolling out, that’s for sure. Lieutenant-Colonel Geneviève Bertrand from the Canadian Army Headquarters Operations cell explains how the green machine gets rolling when things get tough at home. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023

This is a big one, and it’s happening now. The Canadian Army is significantly increasing its footprint in Latvia as part of Operation REASSURANCE. This mission is shaking up the Army’s training and deployment cycles, and will bring new kit into the hands of the troops. Lieutenant-Colonel Marc Kieley talks about transitioning the current battle group in Latvia to a brigade and the impact it will have on both Regular and Reserve soldiers. Feel free to contact Captain Adam Orton with any comments or questions: armyconnect-connectionarmee@forces.gc.ca Connect with the Canadian Army on social media: Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube Visit Forces.ca if you are considering a career in the Army. Copyright Information © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2023