Avian ROE

Never let it be said that the CF doesn't exhaustively train ROE into its people. I'm headed over to the CFC officer's mess for drinks tonight, and when I e-mailed a friend to let him know I was coming, he made sure I was fully briefed on the Rules of Engagement...for the Canada geese nesting on the grounds:

The two college Canada geese, Clausewitz (male) and Jomini (female), have returned to the inner garden grounds and will soon lay a clutch of eggs. Canada geese mate for life and often nest in the same location every year. Last year the nest was over top of the AHOM bar. When the eggs are laid, Clausewitz and Jomini will get very protective and aggressive toward anyone approaching the nest. Remember that Clausewitz and Jomini are wild animals and deserve our respect and protection. Hence the following rules of engagement are in effect until the young geese have hatched and learned to fly.

1. If approached by a goose you are to adjust course and speed as required to permit safe passing.


2. You are not to harass or physically intimidate the geese.


3. You are not to approach the nest.


4. Aggressive psychological operations against the geese are not permitted.


5. Use of force up to and including deadly force on geese is forbidden.


6. If you are charged by a goose you may chase away that goose but no other goose.


7. Canada geese (Branta Canadensis) are very dark in colour with conspicuous white cheek patches. Navy officers are very dark in colour with conspicuous white shirt collars near the head. It is quite possible that the college Canada geese may mistake navy officers walking the grounds for rival geese and charge unexpectedly. Consequently JCSP students are to exercise utmost care when walking to and from the mess with navy officers.


8. Canada geese (Branta Canadensis) exude a very large amount of gooey and pungent guano with absolutely no regard for human routes of perambulation. Exercise caution and remain alert when walking on the college grounds.

Also, never let it be said that senior officers don't have a sense of humour...