Chalmers, Robert Edward: my Afghanistan experiences (March 11, 2015)

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Interviewee: Chalmers, Robert Edward, 1987-

Rank: Master Corporal.

An interview/narrative of Robert Edward Chalmer's experiences during the War in Afghanistan. Master Corporal Chalmers served with the Canadian Forces. Interview took place on March 11, 2015.

Interviewer: Dale, Diana

ABSTRACT: Military Oral History Project Interview Summary Narrator: Chalmers, Robert Edward, 1987 – Interviewer: Interviewed by Diana Dale Extent: 1 sound recording 35:12 373.2 MB Interview Date and Location: 11 March 2015 The Bay Street Armoury, Victoria, B.C. Synopsis: 00:00 – 0: 18 Opening Narratives 0:19 – 1:05: Youth in army cadets, influence of parents military involvement, and joining the military 1:06 – 2:10: Deployment to Afghanistan 2:11 – 2:38: Explanation of DAG 2:39 – 3:09: Location in Afghanistan at a FOB – Patrol Base Sperwan Ghar 3:10 – 4:32: First impressions of Afghanistan 4:33 – 5:17: Interaction with an elder and reaction to Canadian Forces 5:18 - 5:46: Explanation of his unit: the First Battalion PPCLI Charlie Company 9 Platoon 3 Section 5:47 – 6:01: Explanation of LAVs 6:02 – 6:39 : Training with LAVs 6:40 – 8:23: Primary task in Afghanistan: point man and role as TCCC care giver 8:24 – 8:54: Role as infanteer 8:55 – 9:05: Explanation of position as lead scout 9:06 – 9:49: Duties as a Tactical Casualty Combat Care giver 9:49 – 10:26: Explanation of quick clot 10:27 – 11:37: Incident where a wall collapsed on a CF member and MCpl. Chalmers had to administer TCCC 11:38 – 14:48: Explanation of Hyena Road and Brown Route and the incident involving administering TCCC to a local national who had been shot in the head. 14:49 – 15:33: Role as Second-in-Command 15:34 – 17:18: Minor engagements 17:19 – 20:07: Operation in Haji Baba and dealing with cold nights in Afghanistan 20:08 – 21:06: Explanation of a platoon house 21:07 – 21:55: Relationship with the locals 21:56 – 24:30: Story about MCpl. Chalmers losing a smoke bomb off his kit and having it returned a week later to the base by a youth 24:31 – 27:01: Story about interaction with an Afghan family with a mortar round on their roof 27:02 – 28:57: Language and communication between CF and locals 28:58 – 29: 36: Recipient of General Campaign Star 29:37 – 31:03: Transition back to civilian life 31:04 – 32:58: Reflection on Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan 32:59 - 33:25: Opportunity to return 33:26 -34:07: Final thoughts 34:08 – 35:12: Closing narratives and signing of consent forms Suggested Clips for Archive: 11:38 – 14:48: Explanation of Hyena Road and Brown Route and the incident involving administering TCCC to a local national who had been shot in the head. 21:56 – 24:30: Story about MCpl. Chalmers losing a smoke bomb off his kit and having it returned a week later to the base by a youth 24:31 – 27:01: Story about interaction with an Afghan family with a mortar round on their roof Subject Key Words: Tactical Casualty Combat Care (TCCC), Haji Baba, Patrol Base Sperwan Ghar, PPCLI, Brown Route, Hyena Road, M203 Grenade Launcher, Army Cadets, Forward Operating Base, Kandahar Air Field, IED, infanteer, LAV, quick clot, Paiam Maluk, hypothermia, waddy, General Campaign Star

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Date created Relation
  • Part of the Military Oral History Class collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 48.4359, -123.35155
  • 33, 66
Additional physical characteristics
  • Original sound recording (AIFF) also available.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • CRE_817
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • May 6, 2015
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps. 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 2015. 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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