It is my pleasure to announce the retirement of MWO Jerry Childs. Jerry will be falling out of our engineer ranks on 20 Jan 2009, following 23 plus years of dedicated and loyal service to the Canadian Military Engineer Branch.

Master Warrant Officer Jerry Childs was born in Lark Harbour, NL and joined the military as a field engineer in Sep 1985. During his six years as a field engineer, Jerry has most memorable posting where he had to endure the difficult living conditions in Lahr Germany for four years of his life with ADR. On completion of this tour in Europe, Jerry re-mustered within the branch as a Water, Fuels and Environment Tech.

Since completing his basic training in Cornwallis 23 years ago, 11 postings have enabled MWO Childs to sample life at ten different units in Canada including 2 CER Petawawa, 22 Fd Sqn Gagetown, CFSME Chilliwack, CE Halifax, WCE Trenton, BCE Calgary, WCE Greenwood, CFSME Gagetown, 91 AEF Gander and his present posting at 1 ESU Moncton.

MWO Childs is no stranger to overseas deployments, and during his career has found himself in exotic locations that include the Golan Heights, Kosovo, two tours in Afghanistan and three separate vacations in Alert.

During these postings and tours, MWO Childs has had the opportunity to try his hand at numerous jobs. While the list is extensive, some of the notable ones include EOD technician, Assistant Base Environmental Officer for the closure of CFB Calgary, WFE Shop Supervisor – 14 Wing Greenwood, Flight Master Warrant Officer for 91 AEF, WCEO CFB Gander, Senior Project Manager with 1 SET at the KPRT and SSM 11 Eng Sqn 1 ESU.

While he considers the camaraderie and adventure of the military as a significant part of his life, MWO Childs admits that getting married to his wife Jennifer (who happens to be from the same hometown in Newfoundland as he) and then having two beautiful daughters, Morgan and Melissa, was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Jerry has always been one to know a good thing when it comes about and it is of great regret that we are announcing his departure from our ranks. We will be loosing a great sapper; however, Jerry is moving on to commence a second career with the public service as a Senior Project Manager with CORCAN in Amherst, NS.

There will be a gathering held in Jerry’s honour at the All Ranks Moncton Mess (ARMM) facility on the 15th of January 2009, at 12:00 for 12:30 hrs. Luncheon will be buffet style, cost per person is TBD. Anyone wishing to attend can RSVP no later than 7 January 09. Please forward any E-mails or anecdotes to CWO Ray McEachern at 1 ESU Moncton Raymond.McEachern@forces.gc.ca