{"id":36083,"date":"2025-09-17T14:58:39","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T18:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rmcalumni.ca\/?p=36083"},"modified":"2025-10-02T14:43:39","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T18:43:39","slug":"rmc-trailblazers-a-conversation-with-major-jaemok-lee-on-his-journey-so-far-and-the-importance-of-service-resilience-and-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rmcalumni.ca\/en\/rmc-trailblazers-a-conversation-with-major-jaemok-lee-on-his-journey-so-far-and-the-importance-of-service-resilience-and-trust\/","title":{"rendered":"RMC Trailblazers: A Conversation with Major Jaemok Lee on His Journey (So Far) and the Importance of Service, Resilience and Trust"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Trailblazer Podcast celebrates the accomplishments and milestones of notable alumni of Canada\u2019s Military Colleges and provides a platform for them to share their stories and contribute to building future leaders for Canada and the world.<\/em><\/p>\n

Graduating from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2013 with a degree in Civil Engineering, Jaemok was commissioned as a Combat Engineer Officer and quickly took on challenging roles at home and abroad. He deployed on Operation UNIFIER in Ukraine and Operation REASSURANCE in Latvia, leading engineering teams tasked with critical infrastructure projects. At home, he served as Personal Assistant to the Commander of 3rd Canadian Division and Operations Officer of 39 Canadian Brigade Group. Today, he is Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commander of United Nations Command in South Korea.<\/p>\n

Jaemok\u2019s path to leadership began far from the spotlight. Born in South Korea and raised in a small town on Vancouver Island, he learned early the value of hard work, sacrifice, and giving back from watching his father\u2019s tireless efforts to make a better life for his family.<\/p>\n

He credits RMC with teaching him resilience through challenge. From late nights in the lab to early-morning parades, \u201cthe bonds you form through shared hardships become a foundation of trust and teamwork that lasts a lifetime,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Leadership, Jaemok explains, is rooted in relationships. \u201cTrust is the foundation. You can\u2019t lead without it. And empathy is a form of leadership too,\u201d he reflects.<\/p>\n

For Jaemok, RMC\u2019s networks endure long after graduation. \u201cSome of my closest friendships started there. Those connections have supported me through deployments and postings,\u201d he says. \u201cI love being able to talk to these guys and girls about the challenges that I’m facing in the CAF because they understand \u2013 they\u2019ve through similar challenges. And we can celebrate successes together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jaemok\u2019s guidance to current Officer Cadets is grounded in his own experiences. They should lean on each other and stay connected. \u201cThe friendships and connections you form now will carry you throughout your career.\u201d Moreover, he urges those still at the College to remember that the first and second year Officer Cadets are watching them: \u201cLead by example and make space for the next generation to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reflecting on RMC\u2019s motto, he concludes, \u201cTruth. Duty. Valour. These words guided me as a cadet and continue to shape my decisions every day in the Canadian Armed Forces. They are more than words\u2014they are principles to live by.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the rugby field to multinational operations, Jaemok Lee exemplifies leadership built on resilience, service, and trust\u2014an example for the next generation of Canadian Armed Forces officers.<\/p>\n

To listen to the RMCAA Trailblazer podcast with Jaemok Lee, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n