Exercise Phoenix Warrior concludes, marking milestone for JCSP DL 50 students at Canadian Forces College

July 23, 2024 – Defence Stories
Author: By LCdr Delphine Bonnardot, PhD, JCSP DL 50 student

The Canadian Forces College (CFC) in Toronto recently concluded Exercise Phoenix Warrior, marking the end of the first year for students in the Joint Command and Staff Programme Distance Learning (JCSP DL) 50. The two-week residency exercise, held from July 8 to 17, 2024, brought together approximately 100 senior officers from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and allied nations.

JCSP DL is a two-year part-time program designed to prepare selected senior officers for command and staff appointments in complex operational environments. The program aims to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills essential for expert staff work and command roles.

Colonel Christian Blouin, Director of Programmes at CFC, emphasized the exercise's importance: "Exercise Phoenix Warrior is crucial for JCSP DL, allowing students to apply their knowledge and meet in person. It challenges critical and creative thinking at the operational level, preparing them for future leadership roles. This hands-on experience is invaluable for their development in joint and combined operations."

The exercise served as the culminating activity for the CF520 course on Planning at the Operational Level. Students led elements of an operational-level Operations Planning Group, integrating external stakeholders' interests and applying the Canadian Forces Operational Planning Process (CF OPP) to a complex scenario. This practical experience provided valuable insight into operational-level planning and conflict understanding.

Major Benoit Fischer, a French exchange officer participating in JCSP DL 50, shared his perspective: "As an international student, Exercise Phoenix Warrior has been invaluable. The warm welcome from our Canadian hosts fostered collaboration and cultural exchange. This experience enhanced our operational planning skills and deepened our understanding of multinational operations and interoperability, truly embodying the spirit of international cooperation in military education."

Looking ahead, the Canadian Defence Academy and CFC are exploring ways to enhance JCSP DL by transitioning to a fully blended learning model. This proposed change aims to improve the student educational experience by incorporating more interactive, synchronous activities with professors and subject matter experts. The goal is to provide greater contact time between faculty and students, ultimately enriching the learning process and better preparing officers for the challenges of modern military operations.

As JCSP DL 50 students conclude their first year, they carry forward the knowledge and experience gained from Exercise Phoenix Warrior. The skills honed during this exercise form a solid foundation for their continued growth. Entering the second year, students will further develop advanced competencies in strategic planning, joint operations, and leadership.

This comprehensive skill set will be crucial as they progress towards becoming the next generation of military leaders, well-equipped to excel in their pursuit of professional military education and future command roles. The evolution of JCSP DL aligns with CFC's mission to champion lifelong learning and promote professional development within the Canadian Armed Forces, maintaining its position as a cornerstone in developing senior military leaders capable of excelling in complex, joint, and combined operational environments.