MWO Brian Highfield, CD, will retire on 06 August 2021 after more than 35 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch. If Covid-19 restrictions allow, there will be a DWD on Friday, 25 June at 13:30. It will take place at the Collins Bay Legion located at 4034 Bath Road, Kingston, ON. Dress is civilian casual. Congratulatory messages and anecdotes can be sent to Sgt C.C. Campbell at: Chad.Campbell@forces.gc.ca

Master Warrant Officer Brian Tallgrass Highfield will be retiring from the CAF on 06 August 2021 after more than 34 years of loyal and dedicated service to Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Engineers.

Brian was born into a military family in North Bay, ON, on 17 December, 1967. He enrolled in London, ON, on 01 April 1986 as a Combat Engineer. He completed basic training in Cornwallis, NS, followed by his QL3s in Chilliwack, BC.

In August 1986, Brian’s got his first posting - across the road to 1 CER at CFB Chilliwack. Brian remained there until June 1988 when he was posted to 4 CER in Germany.

The years in Germany were split between 4 CER Lahr and later to the Airfield Engineer Sqn at
CFB Baden–Soellingen. While in Germany, Brian remustered to Heavy Equipment Operator (042). While overseas, the Cold War ended. Brian was sent on a number of UN and NATO tours, the first of which was to the former Yugoslavia in March 1992. 

In 1993, then Cpl Highfield was posted to 25 Sp Sqn, 2CER, where he continued to deploy overseas as a Hvy Eqpt Cpl and later as a MCpl. In 2003, then Sgt Tallgrass Highfield was deployed to the Golan Heights. During a short break from being overseas in 2005, Brian was posted to Range & Training Area Development (RTAD) with ASU Petawawa. Three years later in 2008, Brian would deploy out of country once again.

In 2010, now WO Tallgrass found himself in Afghanistan working as a member of a Specialized Engineer Team known as the Franken SET. WO Highfield had one more tour left in him and that was with Task Force Engineer 5-10.

In 2012, Brian came back to Canada and shortly thereafter, was posted to the Royal Military Collage (RMC) as a Divisional WO. While at RMC, Brian took over the Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year (ALOY) program.

As an MWO, Tallgrass was posted to CFSME in 2017 where he worked with Mr. Greg James in the Doctrine & Training Cell. In 2018, Brian was back in Kingston once again and this is where his more than 34 years of service would come to an end.

There were many highlights during Brian’s career and he has great memories of the units to which he was posted. However, his most cherished memories are of the incredible people he worked alongside and whom he is honoured to call friends. CHIMO!

Brian and his wife, Laura, will be staying in Kingston, ON, enjoying whatever the new life of retirement brings.

If Covid-19 restrictions allow, there will be a DWD on Friday, 25 June at 13:30. It will take place at the Collins Bay Legion located at 4034 Bath Road, Kingston, ON. Dress is civilian casual. Congratulatory messages and anecdotes can be sent to Sgt Chad Campbell, Chad.Campbell@forces.gc.ca