Fusiliers deputy commander reflects on a rare opportunity
For three weeks in the month of August Major André Morin, the second in command of Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke, was offered a rare and unusual opportunity. Based on his record and work with the local reserve regiment to date, Morin was selected as the only Canadian to attend the École supérieure des officiers de réserve spécialistes d'état-major (ESORSEM) in Paris, France, where he was trained in large scale military operations alongside 14 other representatives from nine allied countries.
“Canada has one spot in this course,” Morin told The Record “and I got nominated to be the Canadian candidate.”
The deputy commander of the reserve regiment explained that although Canada has its own version of the course that he took in France, this international exchange is seen as an opportunity to share best practices and develop better overall strategy.
“For me it was about learning how the French plan their operations,” Morin said. He shared that the focus of the course is what is referred to in Canada as “brigade level operations,” and focuses on how to plan battle strategy with as many as 2,000 personnel and equipment on land, sea, and air.
“The course went kind of well for me,” Morin said, speaking with humility given the fact that he got the highest possible grade in the program.
Reflecting on the benefits of the opportunity he was given, Morin said that being in the reserves can sometimes give one a fairly narrow perspective of strategy and military organization. By bringing together people from so many different countries and backgrounds, he said that the course offers a chance to see the bigger picture and explore new possibilities.
“It really gave me new insight into how to upgrade what we are doing,” he said.
Aside from the subject of the course, Morin added that its location was awe inspiring.
“The Ecole Militaire was a place where Napoleon Bonaparte actually went,” the Major said, noting that the building is in the shadow of the Eiffel tower. “It is amazing to get to be a part of that history; just being there was a privilege.”