After more than 35 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Capt Tony Burrell, CD, will retire on 22 May 2024. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to MWO M. Chomyn at Michael.Chomyn@forces.gc.ca.
Capt Burrell enrolled as an Infantryman in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve in 1985. In 1988, Capt Burrell transferred to the Regular Forces. On completion of Field Engineer trades training, he was posted to the 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Petawawa, Ontario. During his 36 years of service, he has served with 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, the Canadian Airborne Regiment, 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, Land Forces Central Area Training Center Meaford, the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command HQ, the Canadian Joint Operations Command, Chief of Military Personnel, the Combat Training Center Headquarters and most recently, with Canadian Armed Forces Transition Unit Eastern Ontario.
Capt Burrell has six operational deployments. In 1992, he deployed to Somalia with the Canadian Airborne Regiment. In 1996, he deployed to Bosnia with the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He deployed to Bosnia again in 2003, this time with elements of 1 Tactical Air Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 2005, he deployed to Afghanistan as part of Task Force Kabul.
Throughout his career, he has been employed in many positions, including Sapper/Paratrooper, Section Commander, Troop Warrant, Tactical Aviation Door Gunner, Squadron Quarter Master, the Light Engineer Squadron Sergeant Major, and Headquarters Sergeant Major of both CANSOFCOM HQ and the Combat Training Center HQ. Capt Burrell has served with the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, the Canadian Joint Operations Command and the Chief of Military Personnel.
In June 2021, Capt Burrell was appointed as the third Regional Sergeant Major of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Unit Eastern Ontario. In June 2024, Captain Burrell was promoted to his current rank and was selected for the Special Requirements Commissioning Plan. Subsequently, he was posted back to the Special Operations community with the J7 Training Cell, where he will be employed until the end of his service in uniform. Captain Burrell has accepted a position within the Public Service in Ottawa, where he will continue service to DND as a civilian.
IN PACE PARATUS/ CHIMO/AIRBORNE/AUDEAMUS/WE WILL FIND A WAY