Welcome from the Lieutenant Colonel Commanding

Welcome to the webspace of the Governor General’s Foot Guards. The Regiment was established in 1872 and is one of the oldest and most decorated infantry units in Canada, standing first in the Order of Battle of Canada’s reserve infantry regiments.

Our website serves two purposes. First, it is a medium to inform visitors of the general public about who we are and what we do. Here, you can explore our history, our current organization, how we function, and more importantly, how to become a enrol in the Regiment and become a member of the Canadian Forces Primary Reserves.

It is my hope to provide you an understanding of the role, missions and tasks of the Regiment, and how they apply to in Canada’s Defence Policy.  I also aim to give you a sense of the Regiment’s role in the Ottawa community, through outreach and community activities provided by our world-renown military brass band, and through our ceremonial support.

In many ways, we train as we have for over 137 years. Establishing an environment of repetition, realistic training, and maximum attendance, we focus on drills, marksmanship, voice procedure, reporting skills, battle fitness, mission planning, and even ceremonial duties.  These activities set the table for the consistent success of the Regiment both collectively and individually.

Today, the demands on our soldiers and my command team are far-reaching. It is not just another summer job. We train and then deploy soldiers across Canada and the globe, year-round. When not on duty, these men and women who deploy and sacrifice their time in service of Canada, work among you as students, clerks, academics, and business and community leaders.

The second purpose of our website is to enhance the communication with the soldiers and officers of the Regiment, and our extensive Regimental family – whether you are currently serving or not – for membership in the Regimental Family has no expiration date; if you have served with the Regiment, at anytime, you are welcome to share our many social events throughout the year. Here, our members can access and post routine, unclassified information regarding regimental social events, engagements and other commitments. You will see a wide variety of topics covered, including issues relating to sports, social activities, and marksmanship. All of these activities in one way or another support the Regiment’s primary task; to produce exceptional multi-purpose, combat capable soldiers, to deploy domestically and internationally to meet Canada’s security requirements. So if you are here as a serving member, or returning to visit, I encourage you to sign up and make ful use of our site - your site.

Up the Guards!

Derek Cheff, CD, A de C
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding
Governor General’s Foot Guards