After more than 22 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Warrant Officer Ryan MacArthur retired on 17 Mar 2020. A Depart with Dignity Ceremony will take place in the Edmonton area (venue TBD due to COVID), on 06 1400 Nov 2020. Attendees are requested to advise the OPI of their planned attendance NLT 29 Oct, 2020. Anecdotes or retirement wishes may be sent to the OPI by e-mail. OPI: Sgt Kyle Girouard, email at Kyle.Girouard@Forces.gc.ca or by phone at 780-935-7764.
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Warrant Officer Ryan MacArthur has retired from the Canadian Forces on the 17th March 2020, after 22 1/2 years of loyal and dedicated service to Canada, the Canadian Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers. Due to the uncertain times presented this year, he decided to forgo DWD celebrations until a more appropriate time appeared.
Ryan was born and raised in Marion Bridge, Cape Breton. Deciding it was his time to serve Canada, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces in December 1997 with 45 Field Engineer Squadron. After completing a few overseas missions, he then decided it was time to transfer to the Regular Force where he was posted to 4 ESR in Gagetown, NB. He has taken his retirement upon his last posting with 1 CER in Edmonton, AB.
WO MacArthur deployed to Eritrea with 4 ESR in 2001 and to Afghanistan in 2007. He deployed with 2 CER to Bosnia in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2010. Ryan also deployed with 5RGC to Bosnia in 2004. As a final good go, Ryan deployed to Latvia during his last year in the military in 2019. His first operation was a domestic one in 1998, as part of OP PERSISTANCE / RECOVERY, the military response to the SWISSAIR Flight 111 disaster.
Throughout his career, Ryan has taken pride that he has served with every major combat engineer unit in Canada, as a posting or attached posting, and served on operation either with or attached to them. He also enjoyed his time instructing within the military training institutions, being able to shape the minds and careers of those that are now leading within the military in his absence. Taking every experience as a learning one, he used the motto of “Take from the good (examples of leadership) but also learn from the bad (examples of leaders)” throughout his career.
There are many great experiences that Ryan has enjoyed being a part of and keeping for future reference. He has had the honor of serving with many friends and comrades, some still here and others that have moved on. There have also been many memorable moments as well. He graduated from University while he was in Afghanistan in 2007 and his “gift” of a tank to his oldest daughter in 2010 was well received by her. He has enjoyed his career immensely and has great confidence in those that are still serving.
With great happiness, Warrant Officer Ryan MacArthur decided to retire and end his career with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment. During his lengthy military career he was awarded the Southwest Asian Service medal + Afghan bar, GCS South West Asia Medal, the NATO Former Yugoslavia (Non-ART 5), the ESDP ALTHEA Medal, the Canadian Peacekeeping medal and the Canadian Force Decoration.
Ryan and his loving wife Jennifer, and their 4 kids Angelena, Ryan-Patrick, Gabrielle and Evangeline will be staying in the Edmonton area and are looking forward to the next chapter of their lives. As a retirement home, last year they have purchased a serene acreage on the outskirts of Bon Accord (20mins NORTH of Edmonton) and are enjoying the country life. Ryan is currently taking a Renewable Energy and Conservation diploma and will soon be completing his certification for Project Management Professional as well.