MWO Mike McInnis joined the Canadian Armed Forces on 9 Sept 1983 in Sydney, NS, under the Youth Training Employment Program (YTEP). After successfully completing Basic Training at CFRS Cornwallis in Nov 1983, Mike was sent to 2 CER for OJT trg. In January of 1984, then Pte McInnis attended his QL3 training at CFB Chilliwack and on successful completion he was shipped off to 2 CER Petawawa and assigned to 2 Troop Para where he was quickly loaded on his Jump Course at CABC Edmonton.

In 1986 Pte McInnis was posted to 4 CER Lahr, Germany as part of the force build-up, adding the 3rd field troop to the Unit. During his three and a half year stay in 4 CER, Mike was promoted to Cpl and employed as a member of 1 Troop, 3 Troop, RHQ and as Brigade HQ Chief of Staff driver. In 1989 Cpl McInnis returned to Canada and was posted to 22 Field Squadron where he was employed in EET. In January of 1990 Mike was promoted to MCpl and along with that promotion came a posting to the Canadian Forces School Of Military Engineers (CFSME) in Chilliwack, BC where he met his wife Carol.

While at CFSME, MCpl McInnis was employed in RAWA as an instructor and supervisor of Area 8 for two years and then spent one year as an MWD instructor. In July of 1993 Mike was promoted to Sgt and posted to 1 CER as a Section Commander in 3 Troop. Sgt McInnis moved with the Regiment in 1996 to Garrison Edmonton and was employed as the SQ for 48 Admn Sqn. In Dec of 1997 Sgt McInnis moved to 4 Troop and was employed as the Troop Recce Sgt. APS 1998 saw Sgt McInnis posted once again to CFSME at its new home in Gagetown, NB. In December of 1998 Mike was promoted to WO and during his stay at CFSME he was employed in BRWR as the Bridging Cell Supervisor for four years and then he moved into the newly created FETS Ops WO position where he helped establish the implementation plan that saw the merging of the 041 and 042 trades in the newly formed Combat Engineer 043 MOC. In Aug of 2003 WO McInnis was posted to 4 ESR as the Admn Sqn Ops WO. In May of 2004 Mike was promoted to MWO and assumed his final duties as Squadron Sergeant Major of 41 Sqn.

MWO McInnis will retire on 7 January 2008 after twenty-four and a half years of loyal and dedicated service. During his career he served a tour in Bosnia, was a participant in the Airborne Tattoo held at the Ottawa Civic Centre in 1984, was involved in the Quebec Ice Storm relief and assisted in the Winnipeg Floods. Other career highlights for MWO McInnis include an LFAA Commander’s Accommodation, Top Student QL6B 9701, CME Centennial Champion recipient, Section 2 i/c of the Canadian Contingent for the International Bridge Building competition held at Ft Lennonwood Missouri in 1990, winner of the CLC Patrol competition and Small Party Tasks competition on his CLC as Section Commander, and winner of two Sapper Stakes engineer competitions as the Section Commander. MWO McInnis’ most cherished career accomplishment was when he acted as the Atlantic Area OPI for the Bridges for Canada CME 2003 program. He was responsible for the construction and refurbishment of twenty-three bridges totalling well over one kilometre of bridgework, more than any other Unit or group in Canada combined. Another noteworthy achievement of MWO McInnis was the procurement of the new Army CF Life Jacket where he initiated the process and helped design, test and distribute the new life jacket to better the safety of all troops.

Mike’s short term plans are to remain in Oromocto with his wife Carol and two children Stephen and Madison while Carol receives treatment for a life threatening illness. Eventually Mike hopes to retire in Cape Breton where he and Carol have bought land in Georges River. As Mike retires from the Engineer Family he will maintain a strong link with the Engineer Branch, as his son Matthew is a Sapper currently serving with 4 ESR.

A retirement ceremony will be held 25 Jan 08 at 1100 hours in the Oromocto Branch 93 Legion. If you wish to attend this luncheon please make this known to the OPI NLT 22 Jan 08.

Anecdotes and messages of congratulation may be sent to the OPI, MWO Phil West, by Fax 506 422-1245 or e-mail West.PC@ forces.gc.ca. or WO Pete McDonough at Fax 506-422-1220 or Email at McDonough.PW@forces.gc.ca. If you would like to make a presentation please indicate what you are presenting and weather you will be presenting it in person or would like it present on your behalf. The OPI can be reached at CSN 432-2433 (MWO West) and CSN 432-4050 (WO McDonough) if you have any questions.