After more than 44 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, WO Craig MacLeod, CD, will retire on 12 April 2021. Anecdotes, congratulatory messages, and pictures can be sent to Maj A.R. Gower at Andrew.Gower@forces.gc.ca
After more than 44 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces, serving with the Royal Canadian Engineers as a Combat Engineer, Warrant Officer (WO) Craig MacLeod will retire on 12 April 2021.
Prior to joining 6th Field Engineer Squadron (6 FES), WO MacLeod served in the Royal Canadian Army Cadets where he received his Basic Parachutist Certification and was awarded his jump wings. He also rose to the appointment of Squadron Sergeant Major for the 2573 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, the 6 FES affiliated Corps. At the young age of 17, WO MacLeod joined 6 FES, completing his basic training in May 1978. WO MacLeod achieved the all important rank of Sapper in August 1978 after completing his combat engineer training that summer. This was quickly followed by promotion to Corporal in November of the same year.
During his first few years, WO MacLeod was a section member with 6 FES and notably, Sapper of the Year in 1978. He continued his climb through the ranks and was promoted Master Corporal (MCpl) in November 1980, having completed the Junior Leaders Course earlier that year. Four years later, he was promoted to Sergeant and four years after that, to his current rank of Warrant Officer in 1988.
In March 1983, during the early years whilst training with 1 CER, a young MCpl MacLeod was described in a letter of appreciation as an industrious, conscientious, and effective supervisor with a high sense of personal responsibility for the quality of his work. A statement that would define his career and be echoed by every Officer Commanding that had the privilege of having him supervise a task.
In January 1993, WO MacLeod was attached to 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, and deployed as a member of CANBAT 1 - Op HARMONY in Croatia. The deployment from March to October 1993 included the action known as The Medak Pocket.
Upon returning to Canada, WO MacLeod continued to serve with 6 FES and supported the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering on numerous occasions. Present for the stand-up of 39 Combat Engineer Regiment in 2008, WO MacLeod helped propel the now 6 Engineer Squadron (6 ES) to new heights while also solidifying his legendary status within the Unit.
WO MacLeod has served as Troop Warrant, Operations Warrant, Squadron Quarter Master, and has held the position of Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM) 6 ES since September 2015. In April 2020, WO MacLeod volunteered to serve on Operation LASER as part of the Canadian Armed Forces response to the COVID19 pandemic. Initially serving as a Platoon WO and most recently as a Company Sergeant Major, WO
halls of the J.P. Fell Armoury will be a little quieter upon his departure and the work he currently does for the Unit will have to be shared amongst many hands. WO MacLeod resides in North Vancouver where he plans to remain with his daughter and family as he moves on to his next chapter in his life.