Kempling, James: my armed forces recollections (November 19, 2009)

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An interview/narrative of James Kempling's experiences during the October Crisis and the United Nations operation in Cyprus. Interview took place on November 19, 2009.

ABSTRACT: Colonel Jim Kempling Begins with a brief overview of his military career. He attended RMC at Royal Roads and then joined the PPCLI, and did a couple brief tours with the Airborne Regiment, including a deployment to Montreal during the FLQ Crisis and a time as CO of 2 Commando, which he took to Cyprus. He recalls that early rules for missions existed, but that they were very simple and straightforward. He cites Cyprus as an example of this simplicity, recalling that both armies involved were professional and could be trusted not to shoot unless ordered to do so. His opinion is that the experience of Vietnam, where the lines were not so clear, as the inciting incident for more clearly defining rules for each individual soldier. He makes clear that individual soldiers require serious training on the rules if they are to be expected to make such complex legal and moral decisions. When asked about training in ROE, he replies that while he has had extensive training thanks to a graduate degree at RMC, his experience is atypical. He recalls that soldiers were trained in the basics of the Geneva Conventions and the Laws of Armed Conflict. Says that the potential for involvement in operations like Afghanistan was simply not considered, but that the FLQ Crisis was an “eye-opener”, with soldiers deployed in a busy urban centre in direct contact with civilians. He recalls the kind of reliance placed upon individual paratroopers’ ability to make tactical judgment calls during the FLQ Crisis. The training for the FLQ Crisis involved general crowd-control techniques, but little involvement of the lawyers to brief soldiers on the rules. Once they were deployed, the military lawyers did brief the soldiers. His opinion is that the operation was a success because of the discipline and initiative of the troops. He recalls that the most trouble that occurred was with the various police forces, and opines that the show of force made by the military prevented any real conflicts, and that the FLQ Crisis was similar to the simple peacekeeping operations of the time. Discussing the Somalia Affair, he opines that the orders given might have been fine if received by adequately trained and disciplined troops, but the soldiers lacked discipline and were not given adequate guidance from their superiors. He voices a scathing opinion of the officer in command of 2 Commando during the Somalia mission, saying that the quality of leadership in the Regiment had declined in the years prior to the mission. He does not feel that even the best ROE can have enough of an effect without good leadership to transmit it to the soldiers. His opinion is that while soldiers need to understand the rules, the first concern for soldiers under command of an NCO or officer is that they be disciplined and obedient, and contemplation of the ROE is applicable to those in command and those operating independently. In turn, his opinion is that the officers and others responsible should be held legally responsible. He discusses the importance of interpretation of orders to be simple enough for soldiers. He stresses the need for constant scenario training and refresher briefings for those involved, citing Cyprus as an example of a mission involving constant briefings on the mission. He then discusses training in more complex operations, and the ways in which training began to evolve to keep pace with the complexity of the modern battlefield. He believes that ROE are an essential framework when combined with good training and good discipline, but that they are not enough on their own.

Interviewer: Williams, Elizabeth

Rank: Colonel.

Interviewee: Kempling, James

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 35, 33
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional physical characteristics
  • Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • KJ_612
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • November 20, 2009
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 48 kbps and 22 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
Rights
  • This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
DOI

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file details Kempling_J_0612_01.mp3 Public