After more than 24 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MCpl Kevin Bailey, CD ( bio attached), will retire 26 Jan 2016. A Depart with Dignity Ceremony will take place at the WOs & Sgts Mess, Sydney Garrison, on 12 Dec 2015. Attendees are requested to advise the OPI of their planned attendance NLT 3 Dec 2015. Anecdotes or retirement wishes may be sent to the OPI by e-mail. OPI: WO Chad Gale, email at Chad.Gale@forces.gc.ca or by phone at 902-563-7100 x7184.

On 26 January 2016, after more than 24 years of dedicated service to the Canadian Forces, MCpl Kevin Bailey will retire.

MCpl Bailey joined 45 Field Engineer Squadron, Sydney, Nova Scotia in June 1991. He completed basic training in that summer and graduated high school as an Electrical apprentice in 1992. In 1992, he completed his QL3 Field Engineer and began work-up training with 2 PPCLI for deployment to Bosnia (as a rifleman). The highlight of that year was his first company live fire in the U.S. MCpl Bailey completed his QL5 and driver wheeled courses in 1993. As a Reservist, MCpl Bailey found himself without employment for the summer of 1994. With this situation, he gladly accepted another trip to Chilliwack, BC, to attend his QL5 for a second time. The winter of 1994 found him attending his pre-Combat Leaders Course at Camp Aldershot, Nova Scotia. It was during this time that he received and accepted his off to transfer to the Regular Force.

Upon accepting his offer to component transfer, MCpl Bailey was posted to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, CFB Petawawa, in April 1995. He deployed to Bosnia(OP Alliance) in 1996 with 2Tp. After serving in 2 Tp he moved on to Regimental Transport until his Heavy Equipment Operator Course in 1998. MCpl Bailey was then posted to 25 Support Squadron as Heavy Equipment Operator. He deployed to the Ice Storm in 1998 and completed his Combat Leaders Course in 1999.

MCpl Bailey was posted to 4 Engineer Support Regiment, CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick in January 2001. Promoted to MCpl in 2006, MCpl Bailey attended EROC training in Fort Leonardwood in May 2008. He deployed to Afghanistan as a section 2i/c for EROC in April 2009. In November 2010 he became a driver instructor examiner.

MCpl Bailey was posted to 45 Engineer Squadron in Sydney as the Squadron Transport NCO in October 2011. In addition to his TPT duties, he was employed as the light equipment section comd in Sp Tp. With the stand-up of 36 Combat Engineer Regiment in 2012, MCpl Bailey assumed the duties of Regimental Transport.

Kevin married Kim in July 1996, they have 2 sons and currently reside in Sydney Mines. He is currently attending a civilian crane course and plans to pursue civilian employment as a heavy equipment operator.

A DWD ceremony will take place at the Sgt’s and WO’s Mess, Sydney Garrison, Saturday 12 Dec ’15.