Marois, Robert: my army experience in Afghanistan (May 28, 2019)
Rank: Lieutenant.
Interviewer: Forsythe, Geordy
ABSTRACT: Lieutenant Colonel Robert Marois shares his memories of his two tours in Afghanistan. He remarks on the strengths and weaknesses of both the LAV and Leopard vehicles that were deployed to this conflict. He also discusses the future of the Canadian Army and its ability to be adaptable under difficult conditions. 0:40-1:40 Growing up in and enlistment in the 1st Hussars. 1:40-9:10 Training in Meaford for the Armoured Corps and experiences in military training college in Kingston. 9:25-12:20 Memories of Basic Training in Chilliwack BC. 12:30-16:10 First Experiences and training with the LAV III and Coyote. 16:20-18:55 General Opinions of fellow soldier on LAVs, Changeover in the military and resistance to it. 18:55-24:35 Memories of the events of September 11th and peacekeeping in Bosnia and Macedonia. 24:35-26:30 Arrival back in Canada and his posting up in the North West Territories. 26:35-28:45Posted back to his regiment in Petawawa as a Captain in a Training Regiment then redeployed to the 1 RCR battlegroup due to deploy in August of 2006 to Afghanistan. 28:50-30:00 Being deployed to Afghanistan in August, recounts traumatic times for his wife and him leaving. 30:00-33:45 Description of his first days arriving in Afghanistan and the handover to him and his soldiers from the previous rotation during heavy fighting. 33:45-37:01 The use of LAVs upon his arrival in Afghanistan, tactics and reconnaissance against an insurgent enemy, and adapting to new unconventional warfare tactics. 37:01-39:28 Description of the terrain they encountered and the difficulties of fighting in this terrain with the LAV vehicles and ways the insurgent enemy could attack easily in this terrain. 39:28-40:22 Use of LAV surveillance equipment at night, and equipment the LAV employed to fight. 40:22- 42:58 Fighting alongside ISAF and NATO forces and adapting to work cohesively. 42:59-45:32 Description of his duties and overview of the operations center that he ran in 2010. 45:33-48:40 Canadian operations coming to a close in 2011, another handover, his description of leaving Afghanistan, feelings of a mission unfinished. 48:40-50:48 Describes his most difficult job of bringing families of the deceased over to Afghanistan to give them closure. 50:50-52:15 Interaction and planning of operations with the Afghan National Army and working with the OMLT teams to reinforce the security forces they would be leaving behind. 52:23-55:27 Benefits of Leopard tanks, direct fire capability, visual deterrent of a tank. 55:28-56:50 There will always be a place for tanks on the battlefield, boosting of morale that tanks provided. 57:10-58:40 Benefits of the LAVs over Leopard Tanks in Counter Insurgency warfare. Drawback of the Leopard. 58:40-1:01:47 Difficulties with LAV, impacts of dust, gear that the LAV would carry with it, benefits of using the LAV at night. 1:01:47-1:04:13 Changing of LAV tactics to make a better use of the ability to use dismounted troops. Changes in protection from IED blasts experienced in Afghanistan. 1:04:25-1:06:53 Opinion of the transition from tracked to wheeled fleet and back again from 2003-2006. Both of the vehicles are needed not one or the other. 1:06:53-1:08:51 The future of the Canadian Military and its vehicle components. The Canadian Forces will work with what they are given. 1:08:51-1:11:06 Canada’s global army and its adaptability to future conflicts. Closing remarks.
An interview/narrative of Robert Marois' experiences serving in Afghanistan. Interview took place on March 28, 2019 in Victoria, B.C.
Interviewee: Marois, Robert
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 33, 66
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recordings (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- MR_872
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 28, 2019
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2019. 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
