Master Warrant Officer Phil Hinchey enrolled in the Canadian Forces in March 1980 in Saint John, New Brunswick. While on his basic recruit training, he participated in the performance oriented electronics training and was reassigned to the trade of Field Engineer due to his limited colour vision.
Following completion of his Qualification Level 3 training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Master Warrant Officer Hinchey was posted to 22 Field Squadron in Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. He was employed within the field squadron for some time following which he was employed within the heavy equipment troop, where received his qualification as a heavy equipment operator.
Throughout his career, Master Warrant Officer Hinchey completed a variety of courses including second language training, the Tractor Operator Course, the Grader Operator Course, the Crane Operator Course, the Excavator Operator Course, the Presiding Officer Certification Training, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Course, and the Unit Environmental Officer Course to name a few.
Master Warrant Officer Hinchey served in a variety of combat engineering and instructional positions including positions with 22 Field Squadron in Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, 5e Regiment du combat in Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, 6 Field Engineer Regiment in Vancouver, 33 Field Squadron in Calgary, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Canadian Forces Base Petawawa., 4 Engineer Support Regiment in Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, Area Support Unit Gagetown, 1 Engineer Support Unit in Moncton, and the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.
Master Warrant Officer Hinchey deployed twice to Canadian Forces Station Alert and twice to Bosnia. As a member of 1 Engineer Support Unit in Moncton he also completed a technical assistance visit in Afghanistan. In 1997 he deployed to the Manitoba floods, and in 1998 he deployed to the Quebec ice storms.
Master Warrant Officer Hinchey will be retiring on 1 December 2008 from the Regular Forces after 28 years of service. He will however be remaining with the Engineer Family as he has accepted a Class B Reserve position with the Canadian Forces Trials and Evaluation Unit at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.
Master Warrant Officer Hinchey, his wife Lori and their daughter Katie will be staying in the Oromocto Area with no plans of moving anytime soon.