Maj Steve Arthurs, CD will retire from the Canadian Armed Forces on 13 January, 2018, after more than 35 years of loyal and dedicated service to the CAF and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch (bio attached). A DwD ceremony and buffet luncheon will be held on Friday, 12 January 2018 at the Kingston Vimy Officers' Mess, 12:30 for 13:00 hrs (Cost: approximately $10 per person). For planning purposes, please confirm your attendance to WO Paula Hickey no later than 9 January 2018: Paula.Hickey@forces.gc.ca<mailto:Paula.Hickey@forces.gc.ca>, Tel: 613-541-5010 ext. 4457 / CSN: 271-4457 / Fax: 613-540-8568. Congratulatory messages and farewell wishes can also be forwarded to WO Paula Hickey.

On the 2nd of September 1982 Major Steve Arthurs was sworn into the Canadian Armed Forces and began an incredible 35 plus year career with the Royal Canadian Engineers, Canadian Military Engineer Branch and Canadian Army.

After completing his Basic Officer and Engineer CHIMO course in February 1984, Steve was posted to the Construction Engineers at CFB Gagetown. In 1987 he was given a choice of wearing Blue and going to Masset BC or Green/Tan and walking next door to 22 Field Squadron – the choice was simple when Carleen asked “Where is Masset?” So he walked the next door and became 1 Troop/Bridging Troop Commander.

In 1989, Steve was posted to the newly created 1st Canadian Engineer Group HQ/1st Canadian Division HQ where he experienced Divisional and Corps level CPXs and FTXs in Germany and participated on the last RENDEZVOUS exercise, RV 92, in the wilds of Wainwright. In December 1992, he was posted to Petawawa as 2IC Construction Engineers and on promotion to Major in 1995 Steve was posted to LFCA Engineers in Toronto, filling the positions of SO Infra and SO Engr Ops.

In 1997 Steve was posted to CFSME as Chief Stds O/OC Stds and helped move the School from Chilliwack to Gagetown. In 2000 he moved over to the newly relocated LFAA Engrs at CFB Gagetown. After two years and an e-mail to the Army G3, Steve was deployed as an UNMO to the United Nation Mission Ethiopia/Eritrea. On his return to Canada in November 2002 he was appointed as the Base Construction Engineering Officer for CFB Kingston.

In late 2005, the then Colonel Fred Lewis, called Steve and asked him if he wanted to be his TF Afghanistan Engineer. So in July 2006 he deployed to Kandahar and was double hatted for half the tour as both the Canadian Task Force Engineer and the Multi-National Brigade Engineer.

On his return to Canada Steve was posted to CANSOFCOM as OC Garrison for two quick years and was followed by a very short posting (2 months) to the CDA Leadership Institute as “eye-candy”, as he was sent back to Afghanistan in 2009/10. Following his last tour in Afghanistan he was posted to LFDTS HQ and appointed HQ CO. In 2012 he was then appointed G3 of LFDTS/CADTS until his posting to CFJOSG HQ in 2015.

Since his posting to CFJOSG Steve has been involved in numerous exercises and operations and had the opportunity that very few Canadians can ever enjoy, the far north – he led the Operational Support Component during Op NUNALIVUT in Resolute Bay (and it was a little chilly in February/March - brrrr). He also deployed on his last international operation to Beirut Lebanon for Op PROVISION.

So after 35 years it is time to hang up the beret. Steve and Carleen will be remaining in Kingston where Carleen will continue to work and Steve will try to provide the “home front” support; although made much easier as empty nesters with both their kids, Stefanie and Alexander married to wonderful spouses (Mathieu and Michelle) and with four magnificent grandchildren, Saige, Aria, Loic and Avery.

If you are in the Kingston area, come join Steve for his last day in uniform at a DwD on 12 January 2018, 12:30 for 1300 hrs, at the Vimy Officers’ Mess Kingston.

A DwD ceremony and buffet luncheon will be held on Friday, 12 January 2018 at the Kingston Vimy Officers' Mess, 12:30 for 13:00 hrs (Cost: approximately $10 per person). For planning purposes, please confirm your attendance to WO Paula Hickey no later than 9 January 2018: Paula.Hickey@forces.gc.ca, Tel: 613-541-5010 ext. 4457 / CSN: 271-4457 / Fax: 613-540-8568. Congratulatory messages and farewell wishes can also be forwarded to WO Paula Hickey