After more than 35 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, CWO D. Jones, CD, will retire on 31 August 2025. A DwD reception will be held on 6 September at 13:30 at the Kanata Legion (70 Hines road). If attending, please RSVP to Maj C. Larouche: christophe.larouche@forces.gc.ca. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person
Donations are welcome to help cover the cost of finger food and the venue. If you would like to contribute, please send an e-transfer tocmeadjtgmc@forces.gc.ca, with the message line: CWO Jones DWD
CWO Darrel Jones joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a Combat Engineer in May 1990 at Kitchener, Ontario. Following Basic Training and QL3 Basic Field Engineer training, he was posted to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment at CFB Petawawa in January 1991.
During this first posting, CWO Jones served with 23 Fd Sqn, 25 Sp Sqn, and 24 Fd Sqn. In 1992, he deployed to the Persian Gulf on the United Nations Mission UNIKOM - OP RECORD with 29 Field Squadron. In 1994, CWO Jones deployed to Bosnia with UNPROFOR - OP CAVALIER with the Royal Canadian Dragoons Battle Group.
In June 2003, CWO Jones was posted to 33 CER in Ottawa as the RSS Ops WO, spending four years working with Primary Reserve Engineers. In July 2007, he returned to 2 CER as SSM 23 Fd Sqn and later as SSM 25 Sp Sqn. CWO Jones deployed to Afghanistan with TF 1-10 as SSM of the Engineer Support Unit.
In July 2011, CWO Jones moved to 1st Canadian Division HQ in Kingston, Ontario, as the J3 Operations MWO, where he remained for a year prior to commencing a year of second language training. Following SLT, CWO Jones moved to Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre (CADTC) in Kingston as part of Army Equipment Integration. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of CWO on 5 May 2014 and appointed as RSM, 2 CER the following day.
Having completed his tenure as RSM at 2 CER in July 2017, CWO Jones was posted to Assistant Judge Advocate General (AJAG) Central Region as the AJAG CWO. He was posted to Ottawa and appointed as Directorate Professional Military Conduct (DPMC) - OP HONOUR CWO in February 2020. This position transitioned to Director General Professional Conduct and Development within Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC).
CWO Jones was appointed as CME Branch CWO on 06 July 2022. This posting allowed CWO Jones the opportunity to reconnect with many old friends and meet many new people both internal and external to the Branch. There are few ways to better complete a career in uniform. CWO Jones will retire on 31 August 2025, remaining in the Ottawa area with his wife Carolyn.
Much to my chagrin I will not live a life of constant travel, home projects, or fishing trips. I will instead work somewhere doing something for someone hopefully staying out of trouble enjoying grand kids, a bit more free time, and tipping a few pints with the odd G&T in the warm summer months.
CHIMO!