After 16 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, MCpl Brad Mielke, CD, will retire on 11 January 2022. Congratulatory messages and best wishes can be sent to Sgt K.R. Dewald at Kyle.Dewald@forces.gc.ca.

MCpl Mielke grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan. He joined the Reserves in May 2004 and completed basic training in Borden, Ontario. Soon after, he joined the Regular Force and was sent to Shilo, Manitoba, to complete the Soldier Qualification and Basic Infantry Course. Upon successful completion of these courses, he was posted to 2 PPCLI as a Rifleman in June 2006. While employed with 2 Battalion, he deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as part of TF 1-08 Battle Group and to OP PODIUM as part of the security force for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. During his time in Shilo, he was employed as a Rifleman, LAV-3 Driver, Weapons Det Comd,Section 2I/C, CQ 2I/C, and Section Commander.

In 2012, Sgt Mielke requested an occupational transfer to the Engineer Branch as a Construction Technician. He began training in September 2013 and successfully completed the 10-month course, receiving the Top Candidate award. He was subsequently posted to 19 MSS with 191 Construction Engineering Flight in Comox, British Columbia. During his time in Comox, he completed his carpentry apprenticeship, DP2, and Journeyman support courses as well as successfully challenging the Provincial Red Seal in Carpentry. He deployed to OP IMPACT inKuwait in April 2016 and then to OP IMPACT in Erbil, Iraq, in Feb 2019.

Upon returning to Canada from Iraq, he was promoted to MCpl and posted to 17 MSS as the Architectural Shop Supervisor. While in Winnipeg, MCpl Mielke deployed to Egypt as the Remote Site Supervisor for Op CALUMET. He was promoted to Sgt for the duration of the deployment and received the Force Sergeant Major award for distinguished service.

In January 2022, MCpl Mielke will reach the end of his contract, having completed sixteen years of service in the CAF. He plans to apply for a position with RP Ops in Winnipeg. He, his wife, Delphine, and their three kids, Auceanne (14), Luc (9), and Sebastian (7) enjoy travelling, camping, and keeping themselves busy with various sports and activities within the community.