Article by: Capt. Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) HQ Operations Officer

The Colonel Commandant is an honorary appointment bestowed for a retired senior officer who has served with distinction. Major-General Daniel Benjamin (Retired) served in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for more than 35 years and retired in 2011. They were appointed Officer of the Order of Military Merit in 2004 and promoted to Commander of the Order of Military Merit in 2008. Major-General Benjamin was appointed as Colonel Commandant of the Canadian Military Engineers as of April 2021.

This visit not only marked a significant moment for the unit but also highlighted the exemplary career and leadership of Major-General Benjamin during their time in the Engineer Service Branch before the 2016 RPOU Transformation. During his recent visit to RPOU(W), Major-General Benjamin took the opportunity to express their gratitude to the men and women serving in the unit, recognizing their vital role in supporting military infrastructure and operations. He then engaged in discussions, sharing insights from his experiences and offering words of encouragement. He spoke about the applications of warfare, and how it changed during his time in the CAF. Based on current events, the modern battlefield has evolved again and will continue to require the professionalism that is continuously displayed by CAF members who repeatedly answer the call of duty. His presence served as a source of motivation for the troops, reinforcing the critical nature of their work and reminding them of the importance of infrastructure and its relevance to achieving operational imperatives.