Celebrating military service past and present – Insights from the Ask Me Anything Series

January 6, 2025 - Defence Stories
Estimated read time - 2:30

As a part of last year’s Remembrance Day commemorations, the Diversity and Inclusion Office at Materiel Group, National Defence held an Ask Me Anything session to highlight the diverse voices of service members.

Entitled “Military and Veterans: Celebrating Service Past and Present,” panelists Major Ryan Carter, Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Emond, and Major Jangmi Mboumba-Hervé shared a lively discussion that was thoughtfully moderated by Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-François Moreau and Sailor 3rd Class Victor Wilson.

This event was an opportunity for Defence Team members to pose questions to a diverse panel of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members. Panelists and hosts spoke about service, inclusive leadership, and diversity in the CAF, illuminating aspects of life in the military service that are often under-discussed.

Throughout the session, the speakers emphasized the importance of service as a way of contributing to one’s community. LCol Adam Emond explained that “we can each serve our community in our own way. My co-panelists and I chose to join the military, but it’s just another form of service to our community.” S3 Victor Wilson expanded on LCol Emond’s comments, sharing that he joined the military as a “profound commitment to serving humanity and to serving my country.”

This commitment to service is a key facet of inclusive leadership. LCol Jean-François Moreau shared that, early in his career, he sometimes made mistakes and was punished for them—until, one day, one of his leaders practiced inclusive principles by taking the time to explain why his actions were a problem and suggesting an alternative. This small act, LCol Jean-François Moreau explained, put him on a new trajectory and his career flourished from there.

Panelists and hosts highlighted the need for empathy, acknowledging mistakes, and embracing people in their full diversity to foster inclusion. They stressed the importance of community, self-care, and a support system. Maj Ryan Carter, a chaplain, explained, “Every chaplain needs a chaplain. Everybody needs somebody. We can’t make it alone.” Maj Jangmi Mboumba-Hervé added that overcoming imposter syndrome involves recognizing everyone’s importance and including all team members, especially those unsure of their place.

As the event concluded, building community and fostering belonging emerged as key themes. S3 Victor Wilson encouraged joining networks like the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles (LLMC) program to enhance your personal and professional growth.

Creating diverse, inclusive communities is essential to the future of the CAF because it drives innovation, strengthens teamwork, and ensures every individual feels valued and empowered. As LCol Adam Emond so insightfully stated, “leadership really is not just about taking space. It’s about giving space to others.” By fostering an environment where everyone can thrive, we’re not just building a better workplace—we’re shaping a better, more united world.

You can learn more about this Ask Me Anything event series on GC Wiki.