After more than 25 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, CWO D.J. Scanlan, CD, (00381) retired on 3 Feb 2025. A private Depart with Dignity (DWD) function will be held later at a local Victoria, B-C venue. Anecdotes, stories, and retirement wishes may be sent to CWO D.R. Scott at drew.scott@forces.gc.ca.

WO Scanlan joined the CAF as a reservist with the 1^st Battalion, Nova Scotia Highlanders in January 1989. During his time with the 1st Nova Scotia Highlanders, he completed his basic training and battle school at CFB Gagetown, along with his machine gunners, Recce/advanced Recce, Communications, ISCC, and small arms courses. CWO Scanlan decided to leave the CAF in 1996 to pursue a career in the construction field. After the establishment of the Airfield Reserve Flights in Atlantic Canada, he decided to re-enroll in the fall of 1998 as a Plumber and Heating Technician with his home Flight in Pictou, NS. During his time with the Airfield Reserves, he participated in several US Air National Guard exchanges at various bases and took part in two Silver Flag Training exercises and competed in Readiness Challenge 8, all in Tyndall, FL.

In May 2001, CWO Scanlan transferred to the regular force and was posted to 4 ESR at CFB Gagetown, NB. During his time there, he deployed in 2004 on OP DANACA in the Golan Heights. In 2005, he was posted to CFB Greenwood, where he was promoted to MCpl in January 2006. In Dec 2007, CWO Scanlan was posted to CFB Halifax and worked in Contracts. After his promotion to Sgt in Dec 2009, he assumed the role of Contracts Supervisor. During his time in Halifax, he deployed with JTF Afghanistan in 2009 and OP Hestia Haiti in 2010. In the summer of 2011, he was posted to CFB Wainwright as the Contracts O, and in Jan 2013, he was promoted to WO. In 2014, he was posted to the language school in Valcartier, and after completing his training, went to RP OP’s. In January 2016, he was promoted to MWO and took over as Operation Officer for Real Property Operations Unit – Quebec Detachment Valcartier. In July 2016, CWO Scanlan was posted to Real Properties Operation Unit - Ontario Section Toronto as the SSM, and in February 2019, he deployed on OP Impact as the Camp Sgt Major. Upon his return to Toronto in Aug 19, he was immediately posted to Trenton into the position of CESF MWO with 8 MSS. CWO Scanlan was promoted to his current rank of CWO on 25 June 2022 and posted to RPOP(O) as the CWO for the Ontario region

In 2023, CWO Scanlan was posted for his final move and assumed the position of Unit Chief Warrant Officer of Real Property Operations Unit-Pacific. Upon retirement, Dean plans to follow Lori for the rest of her career, wherever that may take them, and spend more time with their grandchildren. In the meantime, they plan to enjoy everything that Vancouver Island has to offer.