Cpl Thomas Schmidt joined the CF on 1 Feb 1982, and attended Recruit School in Cornwallis, NS. Originally joining as an Infanteer, he was off to the RCR battle school in Petawawa to complete his Battle School.

Tom’s first posting was with 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment in London, Ontario. While there he participated in Company and Brigade level exercises as well as attending Basic Mountain Warfare training.

Following a very short stint with 1 RCR, he was off the 3 RCR Germany in early 1983. Once again he took part in numerous exercises, highlighted by Fall Ex 83. In 1984, after completing his Basic Parachute Training and received his jump wings and was transferred to 3 Commando of the Canadian Airborne Regiment, Petawawa. As a trooper in the Regiment, Tom served as a Mortarman and a member of Recce Platoon, In Feb 1986, Tom was promoted to Cpl and deployed to Cyprus in later in 1986.

Needing a change of scenery re-mustered to Safety Systems Technician in late 1987.

As a Safety Systems Technician, Tom was posted to Shearwater and Halifax. He qualified on various aircraft types including the CT133 Silver Star, Twin Huey and Sea King.

During the first Gulf War in 1990, was member of the Helicopter Air Detachment on board the HMCS Protecteur. Also while posted to Halifax he spent 4 months in Goose Bay employed with the Base Defence Force.

Seven years later, following the elimination of the Safety Systems Technician trade, Tom once again re-mustered to the MSE OP trade. As a driver, Tom was posted to Halifax and Wainwright (WATC) carrying out duties within GPV and SNIC Sections respectively.

In 2004 finally seeing the light, Tom re-mustered one last time to the Engineers as a Plumbing and Heating Technician. In the summer of 2005 Tom completed his QL3 and was posted to 4 Wing Cold Lake.

In 2010, he was deployed to Joint Task Force Games as part of Operation Podium. Tom completed his QL5 completed in the spring of 2011. His official last day as a soldier will be 27 May 12.

Tom plans to stay in the Cold Lake area to enjoy the peace and tranquility of semi-retirement.