Article By: Capt Kyle Ho

As the posting season approaches, transitions mark the arrival of new faces and the departure of seasoned veterans within Real Property Operations Unit (West) (RPOU-W). This year's posting season brings a wave of change, with notable arrivals like Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Craig Watts, Lieutenant Sebastien Morin, Captain Benjamin Campbell and Major Duncan Cornish.

CWO Craig Watts joined the CAF in July 2001 as an electrical distribution technician. After DP1 training, they served with 4 Engineer Support Regiment (4 ESR), deploying to Pakistan in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2007. Posted to CE 8 Wing Cold Lake in 2008, CWO Watts advanced to Master Corporal and supported the 2010 Olympics. In 2010, they took a year-long language course in Valcartier and became a Sergeant and project manager. CWO Watts later served as an ED instructor at CFSME. In 2015, they were promoted to Warrant Officer (WO) and employed as the Construction Engineering Training Squadron Utilities Flight WO. In 2016, they were transferred to the Construction Engineering Management Squadron and were employed as an instructor and Operations WO. They were posted to 4 ESR as the Construction Troop WO and Humanitarian Assistance Reconnaissance Team (HART) WO and assisted in facilitating the design of the new 4 ESR building. In 2019, they were promoted to Master Warrant Officer and posted to RPOU-W Det Wainwright. In 2021, they became a construction engineer officer in Germany. In 2024, they were promoted to Unit Chief Warrant Officer at RPOU-W. CWO Watts is married to Carrie and has two sons, Dustin and Ethan.

Lieutenant Morin is a French Canadian born in Chilliwack, B.C. He served the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for 23 years. He received his commission from the ranks (CFR) on 04 Jul 24 from the rank of Warrant Officer. Lieutenant Morin's first posting was with the 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2 CER), Petawawa, Ontario, after completing his QL3. He spent nine years with 2 CER and deployed to Afghanistan before being posted to the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineers (CFSME) in Gagetown, NB, as an instructor for three years. After the posting in CFSME, Lieutenant Morin returned to 2 CER to complete his (I’m not sure what baseline is referencing?) for a year and was then posted to 3rd Canadian Division Support Base (3 CDSB) Edmonton Detachment Wainwright. In his short three years as the I.C. Accommodations, he introduced an innovative idea for a complete makeover in accommodations, generating millions in income for CFB Wainwright. Upon graduation, he pursued self-development by completing a Defence and Security Certificate from Algonquin College with a Grade Point Average of 4.0. In 2016, he was posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER), where he was employed as Operations NCO, Recce Sergeant, Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant, and Troop Warrant. Lieutenant Morin was then posted to 1 Service Battalion as the Facility Manager for the tank barn in 2023. He will be posted to Real Property Operations Detachment (RPOD) Wainwright this summer as the Operations Officer. Lieutenant Morin has been devoted to community service with the cadet program for over a decade. His selfless contributions to the community won him the Sovereign Medal for Volunteers and Queens Platinum Jubilee in 2023. Lieutenant Morin has five kids with ages ranging from 4 – 14 years. Lieutenant Morin is working on a military and science diploma at Algonquin College and a Bachelor of Military Arts and Sciences at Royal Military College.

Captain Benjamin Campbell was born in Vancouver, B.C., and joined the Regular Officer Training Program (ROTP) in 2015. He completed his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering in 2019. He was employed by 4 Engineer Support Regiment (4 ESR) and deployed on Op Lentus as the Operations Officer. Soon after completing his Basic Engineer Officer Course (BEOC), he was posted to 1 CER as the Armour Troop Commander in 2021, where he deployed with the 17 Armoured Squadron to support the Combat Team Commander Course (CTCC). During this time (?) Capt Campbell also deployed on two Op Lentus’ supporting the fight against floods and fires.  After his time as Troop Commander, Captain Campbell was deployed on Op Unifier to support efforts in Ukraine. After returning from the deployment, Captain Campbell was employed as a Squadron Operations Officer and the Regimental Adjutant. Captain Campbell is a renowned rock climber, and he enjoys his free time conquering many peaks with his elite climbing skills. He will be posted to RPOU-W HQ as the Operations Officer this summer. He looks forward to working and learning the infrastructure stream.

Major Duncan Cornish was born in Vancouver, B.C., and joined the ROTP in 2005. He completed his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the Royal Military College in 2010. Upon completing his BEOC, Major Cornish was posted to 4 ESR and employed as the EROC Troop Commander, Squadron Operations Officer and Regimental Training Officer. In 2013, Major Cornish was posted to 5 CDSB as the 2IC for infrastructure maintenance before returning to 4 ESR as the Squadron 2IC and regimental adjutant in 2016. He was deployed on Op Reassurance in 2018 before he was posted to RPOD Shilo as the detachment O.C. in 2019. In 2022, he was posted to 3 CDSB as the Range and Training Area Maintenance Officer, working closely with RPOU-W HQ. He will be the incoming Deputy Commanding Officer for RPOU-W HQ this summer.