On 3 Aug 2011, Maj Bryan Manson will commence his retirement from the Regular Force having completed 28+ years of loyal and dedicated service to Canada and the CF.
Born in Toronto ON, Bryan enrolled in the CF under the Youth Training Employment Program (YTEP, ResF) as an Ammunition Technician (Ammo Tech, MOC 921) on 13 May 1983 and completed recruit training at CFB Cornwallis NS and trades training at CFB Borden ON.
In 1984 he was posted to CFAD Bedford NS as an apprentice Ammo Tech. In July 1987, he was promoted to Cpl and posted to the newly formed, Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) Unit, CFE Lahr Germany, as the first Ammo Tech. ADR was his first experience and exposure to Combat Engineers. He was employed in an Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance (EOR) role and later, as an EOD (IED) operator. In 1989, he was promoted to MCpl and posted to 4 Service Battalion, Supply & Transport Coy. During his tour of Germany, he completed the Ammo Tech QL 6A course and in 1990 he was accepted to the University Training Program for Non-Commissioned Member (UTPNCM). In July 1990, he was appointed to the rank of Officer Cadet for his first trip to the home of the Engineers, CFB Chilliwack BC to attend the CFOCS, BOTC I course. After successfully completing BOTC I, he was headed back to Germany to pack up his belongings for a posting to Acadia University located in the beautiful Annapolis Valley. He completed a Bachelors of Computer Science Degree and during the summers he completed Second Language Training and BOTC II in St-Jean PQ and returned to CFSME in the summer of 1993 to complete the ever popular Engineering Phase II course. In May 1995, he was posted to CFSME to complete his Engineer Phase training.
As a new Lt, he was posted to 4 Wing Cold Lake AB and immediately assumed the position of Wing Environment Officer. During his 4 Wing tour, he was promoted to Capt and continued to support numerous Maple Flags, air shows and Y2K as the CE Operations Officer. In Jul 2000, he left for a tour in El Gorah Egypt with the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO). During his 13 month tour, he was the Project Officer, under the Force Engineer. This was Bryan’s most memorable tour, plus he got to dive in the Red Sea (more than once). Between Jul 2001 and 2005 he was the Officer Commanding of 81 Airfield Engineering Flight (AEF), 8 Wing Trenton ON and then later, 144 AEF, Pictou NS.
Posted to 17 Wing Winnipeg MB in August 2005 he was immediately tasked to the MSS Engineering Section, which resulted in a six month deployment to Camp Mirage in 2006. During his tour at 17 Wing, he was the Operations Officer and later the Requirements Officer. Promoted to the rank of Major in the summer of 2009, he was then posted to Joint Task Force North (JTFN) in Yellowknife NT.
He has no immediate plans, other than to enjoy the Yellowknife summer. He will marry his fiancée Sheila MacPherson later this year. With no immediate plans to seek employment, Bryan will continue to volunteer with the Yellowknife Food Rescue program. He will be submitting his name to the Supplementary Reserve list and joining the JTFN Officer’s Mess, as an associate member.
In keeping with his wishes, Maj Manson’s departure function will consist of a luncheon with friends and colleagues at a local Yellowknife restaurant (TBD) beginning at 1130 hrs on 2 Aug 2011. Cost for attendees will be as per the menu of the day.
RSVP for the luncheon as well as congratulatory messages, anecdotes, photos and best wishes for inclusion in a presentation book are to be forwarded to Capt Wayne Shields by FAX at 867-766-2510, CSN 766-6789, commercial 867-873-0700, ext 6789 or by email to wayne.shields@forces.gc.ca NLT 18 Jul 2011.