The summer of ’77 was one to remember… 

After the May graduation parade – in sparkling sunshine against the backdrop of the Cascades – we Roadents headed off to our first summer of real military training.  Most of us would not return to the beautiful halls where we began our careers.  Instead, RMC and daunting science and engineering programs lay ahead for many of us.

From our small second year class, Don Allan, Kevin Biggar, Will Wawrychuk and I headed off to Chilliwack to meet our RMC and CMR classmates to attend Phase 2 MILE for what were two and a half thrilling months.  Basic infantry tactics, bridge building, mine warfare, demolitions, and Camp Chilcotin were the hallmarks of the summer along with weekends at Cultus Lake and chasing Will, our capable guide, up and down the mountains of the BC Lower Mainland.  What more could a young man have wanted?  It was a fantastic summer.

After a short holiday break at home, it was off to RMC in early September.  Boarding the service flight in Regina in CF greens, I was fit, tanned, rested, and eager to face the challenges ahead.

Memories dim a wee bit, of course, but I recall landing in Trenton, bussing to Kingston and arriving at the guardhouse in the early evening.  First impression?  RMC was massive.  And imposing.  And, oddly, it seemed to be mostly empty – everyone must have been downtown. 

After getting my bearings I dragged my bags across acres of parade square to the venerable Stone Frigate.  I collected my keys and, hauling my bags down the hallway, saw familiar and new names – Allan, Avis, Harrison, Levesque, and others.  Finding my name on a cabin door I entered the room, tossed the bags to one side and flopped on the bed.  

There was a bit of shouting somewhere, rook flight I suppose, but otherwise the Frigate seemed cool, dim, and empty.

Except for the sound of gentle music.  Loverboy (again, memories dim) drifted across the hall from behind a closed door.  Curious, I approached the door and, there, engraved on a brass plaque was the name 12186 T. A. Keogh. 

How exciting! An opportunity to meet my first third-year purebred Frigateer! 

I knocked on the door, received a loud and rather unwelcoming grunt “WHAT?!”  

“Umm”, I stammered, “I’m third-year Doug Campbell and I’ve just arrived from Roads and I’d like to say hello.” 

There was a bit of shuffling, the door swung open and there stood Tom.  Tall.  Fit.  Brushing his teeth.  Towel over his shoulder.  Flip flops on his feet.  Buck naked.  Scratching his private parts.  Completely shameless.  And for those of us who know Tom well, completely unapologetic.

Tom muttered a gruff hello.   We shook hands.  He squeezed past and sauntered down the hall to the showers.  I was shocked.  And I needed to wash my hands…

Tom has been my closest RMC classmate and friend for 45 years.