The Life and Times of Elizabeth Hardy – The RSM on Leadership

Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Chief Warrant Officer Elizabeth Hardy ‘24 shares what she has learned about leadership at King’s-Edgehill School. She was interviewed by our Commanding Officer (CO) Captain James Skafte. We hope that you enjoy this unique article done in an interview style for our weekly newsletter.

To understand the role of the RSM better, kindly allow me to share with you what the responsibilities the senior most leader in the 254 would have. The RSM commands the Corps on all significant parades including Remembrance Day, the Church Parade, and the Annual Cadet Review. She is an expert on drill and parade sequence, has superb knowledge of the cadet program, is responsible for the wellbeing of all cadets, sets a high standard for everyone to follow, and is an excellent public speaker. Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Elizabeth Hardy is responsible for the largest team on campus. Beyond any shadow of doubt, she is well respected by her peers and faculty.

CO: This week I sat down with the RSM, CWO Elizabeth Hardy, to ask her about what life as the RSM for the 254 King’s-Edgehill School Highland Cadet Corps looks like.

CO: RSM, thanks for sitting down with me today.

RSM: Thanks for having me.

CO: In a Highland cadet corps of 350 cadets there is only one RSM. Can you tell us about the journey that led you to take the top job in the corps?

RSM: So, I began here in the fall of 2019. In my first year, I was a cadet, and then next year I was promoted to Master Corporal (2020), then Platoon Sergeant (2021), the next year Warrant Officer (2022), and then to RSM (2023). I set my eyes on becoming the RSM in my Grade 10 year when I was still a Platoon Sergeant. At the time the RSM was Maya Faucher ‘22 and I really looked up to her as a leader and wanted to be just like her. I envisioned my goals and started putting a lot of time into cadets. In my Grade 11 year, I was promoted to the Operations Warrant Officer (OWO). I was constantly putting effort in, helping, and doing whatever Major Keith Hynes, CO at the time, needed to be done. At the end of my Grade 11 year, I was promoted to CWO and I couldn’t have been more grateful.

CO: Was there a defining moment when you knew that one day you would be the RSM?

RSM: I wouldn’t say that there was a defining moment. I grew up in a military household, both of my parents were in the military. Leadership was something that they inspired me to strive for and excel in. It has pushed me forward to excel and my parents have instilled a lot of my values. It has given me the desire to want to be a leader. They inspired me to become the RSM and a prefect at King’s-Edgehill School and it has allowed me to achieve my goals.

CO: You mentioned that your parents are leaders in the military. Can you tell us about how they inspired you then and how they inspire you today in your leadership role?

RSM: My father was in the military for over 31 years. He just retired from the Royal Canadian Navy as a Chief Petty Officer First Class (CPO1). He spent a lot of time at sea and would sail for months at a time. I knew it was something that he always did, and it became normal that he was often away. My mother went to Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, becoming a commissioned officer. She served in the military for 12 years and was a great leader.

CO: Your dad inspired you as he rose to the top rank of CPO1 and your mom as an officer which are important leadership roles in the military. I think what younger cadets and your peers want to know is, what does it take to become a great leader?

RSM: I think to become a great leader you have to love what you do! Whether it’s being a captain of a sports team, whether it’s day-to-day leadership, it's always about doing the right thing. The main thing is doing the right thing when no one is watching. I think that’s a big part of becoming a great leader. You may be walking around talking with friends and don’t realize who is around you. If people hear you or see you do what’s right even if it’s something little like picking up a piece of garbage (to keep our campus beautiful) without being asked or doing something good, it encourages others to emulate you. Not only is it about being a leader, it’s about being a good person.

CO: Who inspired you?

RSM: These values were instilled in me by my parents, and they are values that I live by. Everyone in my life in general, especially since coming to King’s-Edgehill, starting in Junior School to now in my final year in Senior School have led me well. It's been drilled into me to be a better person.

CO: As a leader, you are also a great learner. Talking with you there is a strong sense of responsibility to instill good values in others. You really desire to lead well and always lead by example, which is the way you learned.

RSM: I do my best to!

CO: The pillars of life as a student at King’s-Edgehill School involve strong academic success, IB diploma, athletics, music, chapel, and serving as a Highland cadet. How has that well-rounded education at King’s-Edgehill shaped you as a person?

RSM: I feel that I have learned a lot throughout my time here. Not just academically like I mentioned but being a good person. It started in my Grade 8 year in Junior School and has especially been the past two years as I completed my IB diploma that it has shaped me. I have learned so much and I hope it prepares me for university as much as my teachers say it does.

CO: I believe that with your dedication you are well-prepared for your future goals and dreams. Before you tell us about your future aspirations can you help our readers get to know you better?

RSM: Sure!

CO: What’s your favourite colour?

RSM: Blue! It always has been!

CO: How about your favourite food?

RSM: I always enjoy Hawaiian pizza!

CO: Your favourite singer?

RSM: I’m a country fan so I’d have to go with Morgan Wallen.

CO: Do you have any pets?

RSM: Sure do! I have two dogs named Bean and Tucker! One is a yellow lab, and the other is a black lab! I love walking my dogs even though they are always pulling in different directions so it doesn’t work out too well when I walk them!

CO: You are really busy as an IB student, in sports, as the cadet RSM, and much more. If you have a moment to relax what does the RSM enjoy doing?

RSM: Honestly, I don’t get much free time. It depends on the day. If I get free time in the afternoon, I’ll watch a TV show. If it's at night, I’ll probably go to bed and get the extra sleep.

CO: The last question I have for you today is what are your future goals and dreams starting with where you’ll be this fall?

RSM: My goal is to attend Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario this fall. I have been accepted academically. I want to play rugby there and I need to finish the application process before I can say that it's official. That’s my goal and I want to take a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics and then hopefully head to law school from there.

CO: Awesome! That’s an incredible goal to have! With hard work and dedication, I believe that you’ll realize your dreams and ambitions.

RSM: I hope so too!

CO: Thanks for meeting with me today.

RSM: Thank you for having me.

Captain James Skafte