After more than 35+ years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Capt John Russell, CD will retire 16 May 2019.  A private Depart with Dignity Ceremony has been decided by the member.  Anecdotes or retirement wishes may be sent to WO Patrick Griffin by e-mail: PATRICK.GRIFFIN@forces.gc.ca or by phone at 613-541-5010 ext. 5192

Après plus de 35 ans de service loyal et dévoué auprès des Forces armées canadiennes (FAC) et du Génie militaire canadien, le Capt John Russell, CD  prendra sa retraite le 16 mai 2019. Un départ avec dignité privé a été décidée par le membre. Les anecdotes et les souhaits concernant sa retraite peuvent être adressés à l’Adj Patrick Griffin par courriel à PATRICK.GRIFFIN@forces.gc.ca ou par téléphone au 613-541-5010, ext.

Captain John Russell joined the Canadian Armed Forces, as a Weapons Technician on the 9th of July 1983 under the Youth Training & Education Program for one year. After completing his training he was given the option to join the regular force but not as a Weapons Technician as there were no open positions. Captain Russell transferred to the Regular Force as a Combat Engineer in July of 1984.

Upon completion of his QL3 in December of 1985, Captain Russell was posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) at CFB Chilliwack in British Columbia (BC) where he was employed for four years. He was promoted the rank of Corporal in July 1987. During his time with 1 CER he completed a variety of courses including his QL5 and was employed in a wide variety of roles.

In July of 1989, he was promoted to the rank of Master Corporal and posted to the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME) at CFB Chilliwack BC where he worked in the Mine Warfare and Demolition Troop as an Instructor for three years. In July of 1992, he posted back to 1 CER, where he was selected for his first deployment to Croatia shortly after returning he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in August of 1993. In May of 1994, he was deployed overseas to Bosnia for another tour. In July of 1996, he moved with the Regiment from “sunny” Chilliwack to Edmonton. In Dec of 1997, he was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer, assuming the duties of Field Troop Warrant.

In July 1999 he was posted to 1 Engineer Equipment Troop in Wainwright AB and was employed as the Troop Commander for two years. He was posted back to 1 CER Edmonton, AB in July of 2001. In July 2002 he was promoted to the rank of Master Warrant Officer and posted to the Peace Support Training Centre (PSTC) in Kingston Ontario and was employed as the training SSM within the school. This proved to be a very rewarding job, training over 6000 soldiers and enjoying travel and training to multiple exotic locations. In July 2006 he was posted to Combat Engineer Regiment at CFB Petawawa as Squadron Sergeant Major of 25 Support Squadron. Having enjoyed his time with 2 CER it was time for penance and he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and posted to Directorate of Army Training in Kingston.

In May 2009, he was selected and posted again back to 1 CER as the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the unit. He served for two years and then deployed to Kandahar Afghanistan as RSM of the Engineer Regiment as part of the MTTF (Mission Transition Task Force) deployed to close down what had become Canada's longest running combat mission. On return from Afghanistan, he was appointed the Combat Engineer Career manager. In September of 2013 he was posted back to CFB Kingston to Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre, working as Army training safety, a year later he accepted his Special Commissioning to his current rank of Captain and was posted over Real Property Operations Ontario Detachment Kingston (CE) where he served until his release of 16 May 2019.
Captain Russell is retiring from the Canadian Forces with a few months shy of 36 years of loyal and dedicated service. He will remain in the area for now with his lovely and patient wife, Karen. They plan on camping and taking extended holidays to various locations around the world while photographing their adventures. John and Karen are determined to avoid Canadian winters

Chimo!