In March of 1969 while working in DPERA, Jerry Kasanda prepared and mailed out to all members a precis type of informal bulletin called PERI-851-SCOPE. The bulletin was later produced professionally through DPERA and eventually emerged as the professional journal of the Canadian Forces Physical Education and Recreation (PE&R) Branch (Disbanded) and was titled the PERISCOPE. In addition to articles written by PEROs and PERIs on current topics related to PE&R, it contained announcements that were of common interest to PE&R members and contained a list of course graduates, promotions and a location list of all serving members. It was dissolved after we were disbanded.

Under the guidance of Lee Roberge the web site version was created on 14 Oct 1998 by Lee Roberge and Brian Harrison, then maintained solely by Lee until 2004 when Joe Beauchene, John Waller and Ken MacDonald collectively revised and re-created the next version wi…

GENERAL.

Prior to World War 11, Physical and Recreational Training (P and RT) in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) was modeled on the British Royal Navy (RN) programs.

P & RT Instructors (P&RTIs) obtained training at the RN P&RT School in England until 1940 when the RCN established its own P&RT School at Halifax.  Some of the officers who qualified at the RN P&RT School in England were:

• C MacDonald; Briggs; J Arnott; W. Smith; C Sweet; R Dewhirst; R Mylrea; C. Cockrill and W. Peakman.

The following officers took a 20 week post World War 2 course at the RN P&RT School in England:

• LTs R Greene; F Pettit; H Taylor; R Carlyle; H Addison; D Atkinson; R Savage; S Shackell; R White; R Coell; M Wilson; J Gautheir; W Robinson; J Mahar; and B Kidd.

BACKGROUND. Unification of the CF in 1968 resulted in the following changes:

• the RCN P&RT Trade, the PTS (RCIC) and the RCAF Rec Spec trade were amalgamated and became the PERI 851 trade;

• all CFR officers of the PTS (RCIC) and all officers of the RCAF Rec Spec Branch were assigned to the PE & R Sub-Classification in the Personnel Support Branch (PSPT/PER); and

• other officers employed on P&RT duties in the RCN or extra-regimentally employed with the PTS (RCIC) had the option to reclassify as PSPT/PER officers or return to their ship/corps/regiment or unit for assignment to a classification for which they were best qualified. The transitional stage had its expected ups and downs. The provisional PERI 851 trade Specifications prepared in 1967 placed considerable emphasis on program administration and facility management.

Several trade adjustment courses were conducted in CFB Borden just before CFSPER was officially established. Three two-we…

GENERAL. The history of the RCAF, from its formation in 1924 to its integration with the other two services in 1965 and its eventual CF unification in 1968, can be traced through four distinctive periods:

• Formative Years - 1924 to 1939;

• Second World War - 1939 to 1945;

• Post Second World War (Era One) - 1946 to 1951; and

• Post Second World War (Era Two) 1952 To 1965.

No official documentation is available on any physical education and recreation in the RCAF during the first period (1924-39). Prior to the Second World War, officers generally organized sports and NCOs were appointed to the task, mostly on their merits as athletes. Interested individuals on their own volition usually initiated recreation activities.