The Canadian Special Operations Regiment receives their first Regimental Standard from Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Mary Simon Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada during a ceremony at Garrison Petawawa on December 5, 2024. Photos by: CSOR/CANSOFCOM IMAGING
On December 5, the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) proudly received its first Regimental Standard from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada. The ceremony took place at the 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa, marking a significant milestone in the Regiment’s history.
The Regimental Standard proudly displays 10 battle honours, recognizing the Regiment’s legacy. The most recent of these honours was earned during CSOR’s service in Afghanistan. The remaining battle honours were granted to the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, the Canadian component of the First Special Service Force (FSSF), from which CSOR draws its lineage.
The Standard features several key symbols, including the V-42 dagger, the iconic fighting knife of the FSSF, and the Regiment’s motto, Audeamus, meaning “Let us dare.” Additionally, the wings on the Standard symbolize swiftness, a hallmark of CSOR’s readiness to respond quickly to emerging global defense and security challenges.
The Canadian Special Operations Regiment receives their first Regimental Standard from Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Mary Simon Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada during a ceremony at Garrison Petawawa on December 5, 2024. Photos by: CSOR/CANSOFCOM IMAGING
While the ceremony paid tribute to the Regiment’s history and its Second World War roots, CSOR is a modern, agile force. It operates as a high-readiness, multi-mission unit capable of a full spectrum of operations across the globe. The Regiment’s dedication to its mission was reflected in the words of Lieutenant-Colonel Declan Ward, CSOR’s Commanding Officer:
“Today marks a defining moment in the history of the Canadian Special Operations Regiment. Receiving our Regimental Standard is not just a ceremony—it is the acknowledgement of years of dedication, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of honour and duty. As a long-time member of CSOR, I am incredibly proud to lead this remarkable team, and I am dedicated to honouring the Regiment’s history and our enduring mission to serve Canada and Canadians.”
The 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion was formed on July 1, 1942, as part of the First Special Service Force (FSSF), a Canadian-American joint unit. It was re-designated as the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion on May 25, 1943. In 2008, CSOR was granted honour-bearing status by the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), affirming the unit’s combatant status and its responsibility to perpetuate the Battle Honours of the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion. The Battle Honours displayed on the Regimental Standard include Monte Camino, Monte la Difensa-Monte la Remetanea, Anzio, Rome, and Afghanistan, among others. The First Special Service Force, known as the “Black Devils” or “Devil’s Brigade,” gained a reputation for their fierce tactics and stealthy nighttime operations.
The CSOR’s new Regimental Standard not only represents its rich history but also the Regiment’s continued commitment to excellence and its vital role in defending Canada and supporting international security efforts.
(Written by: Emma Butler)