Article By: Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Operations Officer 2
During Asian Heritage Month (AHM), we recognize the proud contributions of Canadians of Asian origin whose service strengthens the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Among them is Lieutenant (Lt) Jaeyoung (Dave) Seo, a young officer whose determination, discipline, and pursuit of excellence reflect both his heritage and the core values of the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE).
Born in 2002, Lt Seo enrolled in the CAF through the Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), choosing to become an Engineer Officer. While his Korean heritage carries a deep-rooted tradition of mandatory military service, Lt Seo, as a Canadian, was not obligated to serve. Instead, he made a conscious decision because he believed that service is not a requirement, but a responsibility he chose to accept.
Lt Seo demonstrated a strong sense of purpose. In 2025, after completing his Engineer Officer Courses at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME), he was promoted to the rank of Lt and posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) in Edmonton as the Troop Commander of Resource Troop. In this role, he leads soldiers who deliver critical engineer capabilities that enable friendly forces to live, move, and fight on the battlefield, while denying the same to the enemy. Within this mandate, those same capabilities extend into the underwater domain through one of the most specialized roles within the CME Branch, “Combat Diver,” a pursuit that would ultimately set Lt Seo apart.
For Lt Seo, the challenge was not only physical, but deeply personal. Combat diving represents a legacy of CME excellence, dating back to the Allied landings at Juno Beach, where frogmen cleared obstacles and mines under extreme conditions to enable the amphibious assault. That same capability official formed in 1960 and continues today, demanding individuals with strong characters and the motivation to succeed under any conditions. Due to the dangerous nature of underwater demolition, eligibility for the Combat Diver Preliminary Course is restricted to Combat Engineers. Each year, dive teams across Engineer Regiments in Canada conduct internal selections to identify the most capable candidates. Competition is intense, as only a limited number of positions are available at the Army Dive Centre at CFSME. On average, over 70% of candidates will not be selected for the course.
The Combat Diver Preliminary Course is designed to test candidates physically, mentally, and emotionally. Over an intense week, candidates undergo a selection process modelled on Special Force Selection Phase, where performance under stress defines success. Water confidence is essential, as candidates must operate in zero-visibility conditions, relying on composure, teamwork, and problem-solving ability while 100’ underwater. Lt Seo excelled as the top-performing officer during the 1 CER Dive Preliminary Course and earned his position for the 12-week Combat Diver Course.
What followed was far more than physical training. Throughout the course, Lt Seo was required to learn the complex underwater tasks in demanding and often unforgiving conditions. He trained to conduct search and recovery operations where precision and patience are critical, often working by feel alone in dark, confined spaces. He learned to execute underwater construction and demolition tasks, preparing him to clear obstacles, disable hazards, and enable the safe movement of forces during operations such as amphibious assaults or river crossings. He also developed the ability to rig and lift heavy objects underwater. It is the skills essential for recovering equipment and vehicles that sank during the water crossing.
Beyond technical diving, the course pushed him into tactical environments where he applied these skills in real-world scenarios. During the green phase, Lt Seo trained in inserting into operational areas by helicopter and high-speed boats, conducting reconnaissance of water obstacles and shoreline approaches, and supporting manoeuvre forces by identifying and clearing a safe passage. These capabilities are directly applicable in modern operations, where Combat Divers play a critical role in enabling freedom of movement, supporting amphibious operations, and neutralizing underwater threats in both domestic and international operations. Long hours underwater, physically exhausting training cycles, night operations, and concurrent academic requirements tested his resilience daily. Through it all, Lt Seo consistently demonstrated the leadership expected of those entrusted with such responsibilities.
After successfully completing the Combat Diver Course and earning Diver Number 830, Lt Seo was appointed as the Dive Officer. In this role, he is responsible for ensuring the safety, readiness, and effectiveness of the dive team. As a technical advisor to the Commanding Officer, he helps sustain a capability that is recognized as a key brigade-level asset, vital to operational success in complex environments.
Now, one year later, that journey has come full circle. This summer, during the upcoming Combat Diver Preliminary Course 08-13 Jun, Lt Seo returns to the very starting point where he once stood as a candidate. But this time, he is expected to lead, mentor, and shape those who will follow. In doing so, he passes forward his experience and upheld the standard to select those who will have to earn them as well. “You never truly know what you are capable of until you take the first step and try. It’s not about the final outcome, but the people who shared hardships, and the growth you gain along the way.” Shared by Lt Seo to the students on the Combat Diver Prelim 2026.
As we recognize Asian Heritage Month, Lt Seo’s story stands as a powerful example of representation, leadership, and service. His journey highlights not only the contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage, but also the enduring strength of those willing to step forward into uncertainty, into hardship, and into the arena. As the Combat Diver ethos reflects “the man in the arena” and Lt Seo is exactly that.