BGen/Bgén D.A. MacIsaac, CD
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After more than 34 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, BGen Dan MacIsaac, CD, will retire on 17 January 2022. A Depart with Dignity ceremony will take place at the Rideau Canal Junior Ranks’ Mess in Ottawa on 14 December 2021 from 13:00 to 15:00 hours. Due to the ongoing complications of the COVID environment, a virtual option to view the formal presentations is being developed. Anecdotes, retirement wishes, and RSVPs (physical or virtual presence) may be sent to Maj M.C. Arndt at Matthew.Arndt@forces.gc.ca.
BGen Dan MacIsaac enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1987 and will retire in January 2022 after service in Canada, Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East.
He graduated from the Royal Military College in 1991 with a Bachelor of Fuels and Materials Engineering, then completed Military Engineer training at CFSME. From 1992 to 1994, he served in 5e Régiment du génie de combat as a troop commander within the 2e bataillon R22eR Battle Group in Bosnia, then as a squadron second in command.
From 1994 to 1996, BGen MacIsaac was seconded to 1 Armoured Division’s 35 Engineer Regiment (UK) in Germany where his duties included: squadron command during battle group high readiness training; deployment to Croatia and Bosnia in 24 Airmobile Brigade (UK) within NATO’s Rapid Reaction Force; service as the 7 Armoured Brigade Engineer (UK); and many exercises in many countries. Subsequently, he served as a captain in Land Force Atlantic Area planning for and responding to domestic operations, including the Swiss Air Flight 111 crash at Peggy’s Cove and being the Area Commander’s EA.
After promotion to major in 2000, BGen MacIsaac served in 1 Combat Engineer Regiment where he commanded three squadrons, including 11 Field Squadron within the 1 PPCLI Battle Group in Kananaskis during a G8 summit and Bosnia. From 2003 to 2006, he served in the Canadian Army Headquarters as a major within the Directorate of Land Strategic Plans contributing to Army Transformation plans, including the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre project, and the Army’s strategic operational and resource plans.
In 2007, upon completion of the Joint Command and Staff Program at the Canadian Forces College, a Masters of Defence Studies, and promotion to Lieutenant-colonel, he served at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre in Wainwright. From 2009 to 2011, he commanded 5e Régiment du génie de combat. During this period, the Regiment generated seven squadrons and a regimental headquarters for operations in Afghanistan, 200 engineers for humanitarian assistance and disaster response to Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, and cared for several casualties. He deployed as the Task Force Engineer in Haiti.
Promoted to colonel in 2012, BGen MacIsaac commanded the Operational Support Engineer Group within the Canadian Operational Support Command. He then served in the Canadian Joint Operations Command as the Joint Engineer, J7 and Deputy Chief of Staff (Strategy). In 2014, he completed the Australian Defence College’s Defence and Strategic Studies Course and a Masters of Politics and Policy. From April 2015 to January 2017, he commanded the Canadian Army’s 5th Canadian Division Support Group and Base Gagetown.
Promoted to BGen in January 2017, he commanded Joint Task Force Iraq – Canada’s contribution to the defeat of Daesh in Iraq and Syria and to setting the conditions for increasing regional security. In January 2018, he returned to the Canadian Joint Operations Command as the Chief of Staff (Support) and since October 2018 has served as Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment) Deputy Chief of Staff.
Remaining in Ottawa after retirement, Dan looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Kirsta, and their son and daughter. Subject to Kirsta’s approval, he will consider serving Canada in new ways.