Top Shilo soldier ‘going to be sorely missed’

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This article was published 17/06/2017 (3276 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CFB SHILO — When John Cochrane’s wife asked if there was a possibility he would be stationed at CFB Shilo, he knew the chances were slim.

While driving through Westman a few years back, Cochrane explained to his wife Kate there was only one job for him at Shilo. After all, with Shilo’s artillery and infantry units, a man trained in the armoured corps had little to contribute.

And yet, a year later, Cochrane was told CFB Shilo would be his next home.

And that job, the only job he could reasonably take, was base commander.

As Cochrane prepares to leave his post, he looks back at the change of command ceremony in 2015 when Lt.-Col. Stephen Joudrey offered advice to him, his successor.

“He said to me, ‘Don’t blink, you’ll miss it,’ And it’s gone by that fast,” said Lt.-Col. John Cochrane, 47, crediting his wife for supporting his move from the start.

The next change of command will take place on July 4. Cochrane’s replacement has not been announced.

In leaving, Cochrane will head to Toronto to teach at the Canadian Forces College, instructing senior troops on leadership roles such as the one he holds in Shilo for a few more weeks.

Shilo’s base chief Don Askeland said the departing lieutenant-colonel made an impact.

“For me, it’s been very fun working with him, he’s made my job very easy. I know he’s going to be sorely missed in the community because of how active he has been in the community,” Askeland said.

“He’s been a godsend for this base.”

When Cochrane’s tenure began as base commander, he prioritized three objectives in which he believes he made progress.

He wanted to revitalize base security initiatives to make enforcement efforts “less predictable” and take care of their training area so it could be used for years to come.

Thirdly, he called community relations a “huge goal” of his. Relationships with Brandon and Westman were established years before, but he wanted to reinforce those links through the activities the base takes part in, such as the fairs held by the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba and work with the United Way, Brandon Wheat Kings and Relay for Life.

One new initiative takes place today when, for the first time, Shilo troops will formally take part in the Brandon Pride parade.

Cochrane said running the base during a period of relative peace has been a luxury as troops have not been involved in combat operations, freeing up his time to look after base-specific matters.

Within the last two years, soldiers were deployed to a variety of countries such as Afghanistan, Poland and the United Arab Emirates, principally in training or supporting capacities.

In recent weeks, approximately 30 soldiers flew to Latvia to be part of the first wave of 450 Canadian troops involved in a mission to deter Russian aggression in the Baltic region. More Shilo soldiers will follow in the coming months.

As well, more than 80 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry are currently in London to perform public duties on behalf of the Queen.

Even during years without combat action, when the military isn’t front and centre in the news, Cochrane said local support is “still there and still strong.”

He highlighted how Brandon Salutes, a group fostering unity between military members and civilians, send care packages to deployed troops.

Since Shilo is not beside a big metropolitan city, there are recruitment challenges Cochrane admits are difficult to tackle.

He mentioned that in relation to the base’s struggle finding a full-time psychiatrist a few years ago after the sole person who held that role left.

Since filling the vacancy, improvements were made and those who have serious mental health concerns can be cared for that day.

Cochrane said what Shilo officials can do is advocate for the area when recruiting trained professionals and telling soldiers ordered to Shilo of the opportunities here.

“In Shilo, there’s been a saying that’s been around for years, ‘Drag them in, drag them out.’ They typically fight the aspect of coming here and then when they get here, they don’t want to leave,” Cochrane said.

“I’ll be honest — if I was later in my career, I’d be looking at potentially retiring here. Unfortunately, with a child who decided she’s going to Harvard, I’m going to need CRA60,” he said with a chuckle, alluding to the forced military retirement age of 60. Base commanders rarely spend longer than two years in one role.

When he leaves Shilo, he’ll carry a watercolour painting made for him, as is tradition.

Drawn caricature-style, it features highlights of his tenure at Shilo, like seeing base mascot Juno and Wheat Kings mascot Willie waving from a Jeep and a portrait of former Afghanistan vice-president Dr. Sima Samar, who was in Brandon in 2016.

He’ll cherish the painting and the memories he made during his time.

“I absolutely love the community of Westman. I love the way it comes together, I love the way it likes to rally together around projects and goals and aims, it’s very much a community atmosphere,” he said.

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