What is Soldier On?

Our Mission
Soldier On will contribute to optimizing the functional independence of ill or injured CF personnel or former personnel by delivering programs and services and facilitating and integrating opportunities that support their full and active participation in physical fitness, health promotion and sport.

The Soldier On program, and the complementary Soldier On Fund, achieves a number of aims. It encourages ill and injured CF personnel to attain and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. It supports these personnel in increasing their independence, in developing new skills and in achieving goals. It furnishes an opportunity for them to socialize and explore common interests, and share learning experiences.

The primary objectives of Soldier On are as follows:

• To provide the resources and opportunities for ill and injured military personnel to fully and actively participate in physical fitness, health promotion and  sport activities;

• To create awareness of Soldier On among ill and injured military personnel, other CF personnel, the general public and corporations;

• To investigate, foster and enhance partnerships with allied nations and national disability organizations offering relevant programs and services;

• To provide referrals for ill and injured military personnel and their families on relevant physical fitness, health promotion and sport activities conducive to  optimizing functional independence.

History
Soldier On is a grassroots idea that grew. It was started in 2006 by Warrant Officer Andrew McLean, a CF Search and Rescue Technician and ultra-marathon runner, and Greg Lagacé, Paralympic Development Manager with the Canadian Paralympic Committee. The initiative expanded along with the needs of ill and injured military personnel, the interest and support of military leadership, and the promotion of health and physical fitness within the CF. In 2007, responsibility for Soldier On was transferred to the agency now known as Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services (CFPFSS), and in November of that year the Soldier On program was complemented by the creation of the Soldier On Fund.

Fact
The origins of the Paralympic Movement (www.paralympic.ca ), the global sports movement for athletes with a physical disability that parallels the Olympics, are linked to the rehabilitative care of WWII veterans, including some of the 55,000 Canadian soldiers injured during the war.