I was born in a little town of Roberts Arm in Green Bay, Newfoundland. At the tender age of three and without my consent my father moved us all to Deer Lake, NL where I lived until I was 20 years of age at which time I joined the Canadian Forces, but not before attending college in Corner Brook and working for one year after that in Deer Lake.
I completed the 11 week basic training course in Cornwallis and continued on to Borden to complete my Administrative Clerk trade training. I only spent I believe 6 or 7 weeks there because at the time if we had had training at a college in the civilian world we didn't have to complete the full course.
My first posting was Ottawa and I still remember the NDHQ address, it was that memorable. I enjoyed my posting there very much.
After spending 3.5 years in Ottawa I was then posted to 440 Search and Rescue Squadron in Edmonton for 1.5 years. I requested and received a posting to the language school and spent the next year on the intensive French course, spending 6 mths in Edmonton and 4 in Saint Jean Sur Richelieu. Enjoyed it immensely. After completing the course I returned to Edmonton for another 1.5 years and worked at the base hospital.
In 1986 I was posted to the recruiting centre in St. John's as well as a posting to at the time 727 Communications Squadron.
My military time was spent in both components, regular and reserve and I feel that having experience in both components served me well. My time was also spent in two elements both Air and Army. While I was with the Reserve I had postings at a Service Battalion as well as being both a clerk and a recruiter at both recruiting centres in Newfoundland.
Some of my other posting were 16 Wing in Borden, ON and 9 Wing Gander where I spent two years working with the Canadian Rangers.
I did my final release in 2012 after spending 32 years in the service and decided it was a good time to travel a little.
Amongst other places I decided to volunteer on a little island in the North West Territories and stayed there for 6 years. A very rewarding experience indeed. Returned to Newfoundland in 2019 and will be settling here for now.
Courriel:
contactus@helmetstohardhats.ca