"your training was so much tougher, back in your day, yadda, yadda" Colin Robinson

1. What inspired you to transition from military to civilian life, and how did you prepare for this significant change?

There was no ‘inspiration’ because my 20-years of military service was spent in the Army Reserves, so it wasn’t so much a transition as suddenly having a sole focus on my civilian career & life, which frankly I hadn’t prepared for. What surprised me initially was how much more time I suddenly had. When you grow up in the Army Reserves and take on increasing levels of responsibility, you don’t realize how busy you’ve become. When I left the Forces my last role was Commanding Officer of The Royal Montreal Regiment, and my last official function in uniform was my change of command parade (talk about quitting ‘cold turkey’!). Like all Reserve CO’s, I probably averaged 30-hours a week on top of my civilian career. Well, when you quit cold turkey you can find a lot of good uses for those 30-hours a week…like talking to your customers! Within a year of relinquishing command I was the top-performing seller where I worked.

2. Could you describe your current role in civilian life and how you arrived at this path?

I currently serve as the head of sales for Staples Promotional Products Canada, the largest distributor of corporate branded merchandise in the country. It has essentially been a natural progression of my sales career that I always had in parallel to my army reserve career. One of the things that we focus on is the concept of Brand Love, which simply means that we drive deeper relationships between our customers, their brands, and their audience. When you think of the natural affinity that most people who serve develop for their unit, their branch, their element, their trade, their qualifications, etc., the concept of ‘brand love’ is built into my DNA.

3. During your transition, what obstacles did you encounter, and what strategies proved instrumental in overcoming them?

No real obstacles because I had always had a parallel civilian life, first as a student and then my work career. The only ‘obstacles’ that I faced (and still do) is dealing with the misperceptions that civilians have about the military. One of the many reasons that I enjoy doing business in the US is that the majority of Americans know someone who has served and have a better understanding of the realities. With such a tiny military in Canada it is understandable that your average ‘civvy’ has no concept of what military service entails.

4. In what ways have your military skills and experiences been an asset in your civilian career?

There are SO many - and the worst part is that we veterans tend to take them for granted.  Being taught how to plan, how to train people, how systems work, and then being able to test it all in the field before you try it out in the real world is a luxury most civilian organizations can’t even dream of. The key skills I developed in the military that continue to help me are leadership, communications, and planning. The experiences that shaped me the most and that I’m most grateful for were the large field exercises and my deployment to Bosnia. Being given a near impossible task and entrusted to figure it out was exhilarating - daunting for sure, but exhilarating. I am so grateful that my superiors have taken a chance on me so many times.

5. Are there any resources, networks, or strategies you found invaluable during your transition that you’d recommend to others?

I was quite fortunate that my roommate from Phase II Infantry, Mark Walden, eventually became the founder of 3V, a remarkably effective networking group for veterans. I was most heartened to see it continue to grow and flourish after his death, and nearly a decade since his passing it is an example of the most effective “put yourself out there” networking strategy. Mark was a Regular Force officer and 3V became a great confluence of both Reserve and Regular Force members, which only leads to a greater sharing of opportunities.

6. Reflecting on your transition, what piece of knowledge or advice do you wish had been shared with you beforehand?

“Nobody cares” that you’re a veteran. Sure, you’ll get the hackneyed ‘thank you for your service’, but you’re not special. Except… you kinda are, and I wish that I had realized that earlier. We veterans tend to take for granted just how exceptional the training is in the military, and how it is designed for success. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) really differentiates itself from the business world in how much time, money, and energy is invested into training. Think about it, your average Master-Corporal is LIGHT YEARS ahead of formal training and experience than 99% of civilian senior managers, let alone junior ones. Corporals trying to qualify as Master-Corporals are actually given command of a 10-person section of soldiers (consisting of their fellow candidates), they will have been trained in theory and exercised in practical situations that intentionally resemble exactly what they will be doing in operations. Once they have been taught and exercised repeatedly, they will then be formally evaluated, again both theory and practical to make sure they meet the one common standard throughout the entire CAF. How many civilian organizations can even come close to that standard? Lean into your training and experience!

7. How did you navigate the shift in identity from being in the military to reintegrating into civilian life, and what helped you through this process?

Well, besides realizing that course t-shirts need to be relegated to the “PT gear” category and not the “formal wear” pile… the biggest shift is a mindset one. You need to step aside and support the next generation who are carrying the torch. Nothing is more toxic and unhelpful than a bunch of auld phartz sitting around and loudly criticizing the current generation of leaders for doing their best to make the military successful in today’s realities. Yeah, sure - your training was so much tougher, back in your day, yadda, yadda… but hasn’t everyone said that since the first shield wall was formed?? On a more serious note, for a number of years I worked with the Old Brewery Mission to found a successful program to house veterans experiencing homelessness, which has been remarkably rewarding as a way to keep the military identity alive while helping some of our most vulnerable in society.

8. What aspects of military life do you find yourself missing the most, and how do you keep those memories alive?

The camaraderie derived from a shared sense of purpose, the collective drive to succeed, and the passion to overcome all obstacles to win. I am quite fortunate to be able to keep the memories alive by having served as an Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel & Colonel for nearly a decade, which meant that I got to keep close to the troops, wear a uniform occasionally, and have the privilege of meeting a new generation of soldiers each year. Nothing gives you more hope for the future than meeting a new graduating class of recruits, trust me - these folks are bright, networked, and determined! I’m also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, and I participate in the Poppy Drive each year. My number one advice to any veteran who wants to keep the memories of military life alive: Join the Legion, help your local branch up their standards, and participate in the Poppy Drive. I’m lucky to live in a diverse urban area that has lots of new Canadians, and I find it deeply rewarding to share the importance of the Poppy with them and witness their pride as they understand its significance in honoring the sacrifices made by Canadian women and men throughout the decades. These sacrifices have secured our ability to enjoy peace, freedom of choice, and the privileges of being a Canadian. It's a reminder that freedom comes at a cost, and new Canadians, who made the deliberate choice to leave their old lives behind for a chance at a better one, often appreciate this truth more than anyone born here.