Carlé, Kevin: my experience as a Canadian defense attaché in Poland with cross accreditation to Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (March 14, 2014)
PublicRank: Captain.
Interviewee: Carlé, Kevin
An interview/narrative of Captain Kevin Carlé's experiences as a Canadian defense attaché in Poland with cross accreditation to Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Interview took place on March 14, 2014.
Interviewer: Taylor, Sarah
ABSTRACT: Narrator: Carlé, Kevin, 1955-. Title My experience as a Canadian defense attaché in Poland with cross accreditation to Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Interviewer: Interviewed by Sarah Taylor Extent 1 sound recording (AIFF Format Sound) 1:28:47, 898 MB Interview Date and Location 14 March 2014, Victoria BC. Synopsis Captain Kevin Carlé’s interview begins by describing his childhood, and enrollment in the reserve officer university training program at UVIC. He provides a description of his family history including numerous military connections, and the education he pursued. Captain Carlé describes his summer training as a reserve officer, and working for the navy as a reservist full time after graduation before being approached to enlist in the regular forces. He discusses being approached for the position of defense attaché in Poland and the subsequent training he and his spouse went through to prepare for the posting, which he took up in 2003. Captain Carlé goes on to discuss the countries he was cross accredited to, and the challenges associated with being the attaché for so many nations. He discusses the role his wife played in hosting diplomatic events, and travelling as well as anecdotes describing how some aspects of the Cold War were still visible like distinctive diplomatic license plates. Captain Carlé describes the importance of a good working relationship with both civilian employees at the embassy and other military attachés. He also relates his participation in several memorable events including ceremonies for the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the sixtieth anniversary of the Great Escape, the funeral of Polish ace Stanislaw Skalaski, and the twinning of HMCS Haida and the Polish ship Blyskawica. He provides descriptions of the numerous decorations he received from foreign governments during his time as an attaché, and describes the importance of the role of the military attaché in Poland. The interview concludes with Captain Carlés decision to retire rather than becoming an attaché in Brazil. Log. 0:00 – 12:20 - Introduction, description of early life, family history, military connections and education. 12:22 – 15:42 - Description of joining the Naval Reserve in January 1976 through officer training program, summer training, and motivations for enlisting and joining the Navy. 15:43 – 20:02 - Time spent working full time as a reservist after graduation, before joining the regular forces. teaching at Fleet School and later working in base public affairs, and on the Admiral’s staff before being encouraged to join the regular forces, reaction of wife to career change, subsequent move to Ottawa, and wife’s career. 20:03 – 24:30 - Discusses structure of public affairs branch, and being approached about becoming a Canadian Defense Attaché in Poland. 24:31 – 31:13 - Description of yearlong training for defense attachés, focus on language training, taking photographs, and involvement of wife in training and program. 31:15 – 33:46 - Interaction with Polish citizens, organization for the spouses of attachés and relationships with British and American counterparts. 33:47 – 35:56 - Comparison of one year of attaché training with two year training programs, description of roles of assistants at postings. 35:57 – 43:39 - Discussion of new countries that the attaché was now cross accredited to, and the challenges that arose from cross accreditation, explanation of cross accreditation and list of priorities. 43:40 – 47:53 - Examples of priorities for the Defense Attaché in Poland. 47:54 – 54:30 - Comparison between the duties of military attachés and civilian employees, discussion of the historical conflicts between the two groups, and the importance of good relations. 54:31 – 1:00:35 - Role of spouse in hosting diplomatic event, travelling on diplomatic missions, and the permissions needed for travelling. 1:00:36 - - Examples of changes since the Cold War era, diplomatic license plates, bugs. 1:00:36 – 1:08:01 - Changes since the Cold War era, permissions for travelling, surveillance and personal security. 1:08:02 - 1:11:06 – Working relationship with the attachés from other countries, trips with other attachés, use of photography equipment. 1:11:07 – 1:14:00 - Interaction with ordinary citizens 1:14:01 – 1:16:51- Participation in social events and ceremonies for the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and the Great Escape. 1:16:52: - 1:20:35 - Funeral of Polish ace Stanislaw Skalaski, and twinning ceremony between HMCS Haida and the Polish ship Blyskawica. 1:20:36 – 1:23:21 - Decorations received from foreign governments. 1:23:22 - 1:26:31 – Description and importance of the role of the Canadian Defense attaché in Poland. 1:26:32 - 1:28:47 - Decline of attaché position to Brazil, retirement, and conclusion. Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 45:57 – 46:64 – Description of Maple Arch series of exercises involving Canada, Poland, Lithuania and the Ukraine. 1:14:01 – 1:20:35 – Attendance at ceremonies for the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, sixtieth anniversary of the Great Escape, the funeral of Polish ace Stanislaw Skalaski, and the twinning of HMCS Haida with the Blyskawica. Subject Key Words Canadian Defense Attaché, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Maple Arch Series of exercises, Defense Attaché, role of; Naval Reserve, HMCS Haida, Blyskawica, Liberation of Auschwitz, sixtieth anniversary of; The Great Escape, sixtieth anniversary of; cross accreditation, military attaché, Polish civilians; interaction with.
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recording (AIFF) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- CK_808
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 14, 2014
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 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 2014. 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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