After more than 34 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers Branch, Capt Chris MacDonald, CD, will retire on 31 August 2022. Anecdotes and retirement wishes may be sent to Capt A.S. Peach at Anthony.Peach@forces.gc.ca.
Captain William Chris MacDonald joined the Canadian Armed Forces in June 1988 as a Private in the Canadian Army Reserves with 45 Field Squadron. After more than 34 years of loyal and dedicated service to Canada, he will retire on 31 August 2022.
Captain MacDonald excelled in his training from early career courses at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, BC, to senior and specialized courses in Oromocto, NB. Eventually obtaining the rank of Master Warrant Officer, Chris held the position of SSM at his home unit as well as the School Sergeant Major during his summer with the Reserve Engineer Training Squadron in 2003. Like many reservists, Chris balanced his military and civilian lives. He obtained a Bachelor of Science from STFX and would later become a school teacher.
In 2007, Captain MacDonald commissioned to the rank of Captain, where he held many titles, first as a troop commander and eventually as OC. Whether at his home unit, on tasking, or deployed, Chris made the most of each opportunity but took the time to share his skills and knowledge to help others succeed.
Captain MacDonald deployed to Bosnia from 2000 to 2001, where he worked with the Mine Information Coordination Cell and as the Ops Warrant in S4 HQ. He also participated in various other domestic operations.
Upon retirement, Captain MacDonald will continue to reside in Sydney, NS, with his wife, Melanie, and two children, Emily and Kyle. Chris will continue working at his civilian job as a school teacher, coaching hockey and soccer, and spending time on his boat with family and friends.