“I’m A Canadian. Come With Me!” Around The World With The Canadian Infantry

COL Howard Coombs joined the Regular Officer Training Program (ROTP) of the Canadian Army because he enjoyed the Reserves, and he craved the discipline. After graduating from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, he was assigned as an Infantry Officer in the Royal Canadian Regiment. In that capacity, he deployed to Croatia in 1994 as a member of the United Nations Protective Forces, and to Bosnia in 1998 with the Stabilization Forces. After Bosnia, he transferred to the Reserves and joined the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment, deploying to Kabul, Afghanistan in 2004 with ISAF (International Security Assistance Force). In 2010, he returned to Kandahar, Afghanistan, but this time as a Canadian Department of Defense employee. Currently, COL Coombs teaches history at the Royal Military College of Canada. In this interview, he discusses aspects of the Canadian military, and provides a unique perspective on Multi-National operations around the globe.