After more than 22 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MWO S.J. Thorburn, CD, will retire on 12 February 2026. A Depart with Dignity function will be held on 13 February 2026 commencing at 1300 at the Bunker in Oromocto. If attending, please RSVP to Capt Rodney Tatchell: Rodney.Tatchell@forces.gc.ca. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person.
In 2003, Shawn Thorburn enlisted as an infanteer in the Canadian Armed Forces, completing basic training in Saint Jean, Quebec, and Battle school in Wainwright, Alberta. He was then posted to 3 Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, (PPCLI) Edmonton Alberta. During his time at 3 PPCLI, he completed his parachutist course in 2004 and occupied various positions within the Para Company. After successful completion of his DP2 Infantry Platoon support weapons course, (IPSW) he deployed on OP ARCHER / OP ATHENA Afghanistan in 2005/2006. He then switched to Combat Engineer and completed his TQ3 Course in 2008 at CFSME, CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick.
In 2008 he was posted to 2 Troop, 42 Squadron, 4 Engineer Support Regiment (4 ESR) where he filled every roll in the field troop from Section Member, 2IC, Section Commander and Recce Sergeant. He was then posted to CFSME in 2016 where he was promoted to Sgt shortly after arriving . He worked within Field Engineer Training Squadron as the Bridging, Rafting, Watermanship and Recce (BRWR) Tp for 2 years and then Holdfast’s Tp WO for 2 years. In 2020, he was posted back to 4 ESR as 2 Tp WO then 48 Sqn Ops WO. Promoted to MWO in 2022, MWO Thorburn took over as the SM for 48 SQN followed by 43 SQN until posted to 5 CDSB Gagetown as the GRNSM in 2024.
During MWO Thorburn’s time in 4 ESR he completed various course as well as deployed on two domestic operations; Haiti on Op HESTIA in January of 2010 and then deploying back to Afghanistan in March 2012 on Op ATTENTION.