Infantry Reservist Master Corporal Tristan Bateman, of 36 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG)’s West Nova Scotia Regiment, was honoured to serve as the National Sentry Program (NSP)’s rotation second-in-command (2IC) this summer in Ottawa. Having heard positive comments about the tasking from personnel who had participated in the program last year, he looked forward to serving Canada as a national sentry himself.
Bateman is currently contracted as the supervisor of general duty personnel for the Camp Aldershot Kitchen. Although he put his name in through his unit as a volunteer for the national sentry program, he was surprised to receive the news he had been selected for the position.
“I was excited. To be sent by your unit for such an honoured tasking is truly incredible, and knowing that my home unit trusted me with the responsibility was a warm and fuzzy feeling.”
While he has participated in various training and exercises in the past, including leadership roles in teaching and administration, this tasking is particularly significant.
The NSP, which started in 2007, honours all Canadians who have served in the major wars of the 20th century. Every year, the Canadian Armed Forces selects deserving members from a rotation of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Rangers to stand as sentries at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa.
Because he represented his element, it was crucial Bateman perform at a high standard for the duration of the highly publically-visible tasking. For CAF members interested in experiencing the NSP themselves, he recommends refining not only their personal drill, but also their general dress and deportment.
“The biggest advice I could give for prospective members is to make sure your unit can see that you will be a representative to be proud of.”
While there is certainly an amount of pressure involved in taking on such a public role, Bateman was proud to stand with his CAF peers at the memorial. “That’s part of what made it so important, and knowing that you’re out there representing your country is an incredible feeling. I would be ecstatic to go back and do it again some day.”
