Sgt Power will be retiring from the CAF on the 15th of February, 2017 after 27+ years of loyal and dedicated service to Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers.
Maurice Joseph Power (AKA Moe), was born in Gander Newfoundland on Dec 30th 1957. He is the 12th of 14 children and is married to his High School sweetheart Donna. They have 2 sons Eddie and Justin.
In 1982 Moe joined the Canadian Armed Forces and conducted his Basic Training in Cornwallis, NS and upon completion of his course was awarded the Commandants Shield Top Student. His next level of training was conducted at CFB Shilo, MB at the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) Battle School for his TQ3 Artillery Training. Upon completion of this course he was awarded Top Student and the Best Gun Layer award. It was the first time in the RCA Battle School’s history that a recruit had won both awards. His first posting was with 3 RCHA, J Bty in CFB Shilo, MB where he worked various positions from, the Gun Line, Command Post Tech and Observation Post Tech. In 1984 he completed a 13 week Combat Leaders Course and was promoted to MBdr, he was then sent back to the Gun Line as the 2IC of the M109 Howitzer.
In 1985 MBdr Power was posted to Germany 1 RCHA, Z Bty as 2IC of the M109 Howitzer. While in Germany he transferred to the Air Defence Troop as a Blowpipe Detachment Commander. In 1987 he was posted to Chatham, NB, where he completed his QL6A. While in Chatham, he tried to remuster to Construction Engineer but the trade was closed at that time, so he decided to submit his release and started working construction in Gander, NL.
In 1995 he joined the Airfield Engineering Flight Reserve Unit in Gander, NL. During his 5 years with the unit he completed numerous ANG deployments from 1998-2000 and completed tours in Yugoslavia, Africa, and Alert.
In 2001 he accepted a component transfer to the Regular Forces and was posted to Esquimalt, BC to the Pacific Naval Construction Troop. While there he completed numerous projects and was also a member of the Urban Search and Rescue Team.
In 2004 he was posted to Greenwood, NS. Wing Construction Engineer Troop, during his time in Greenwood he completed 6A, deployment to Camp Mirage and was promoted to MCpl. In 2008 was posted to CFSME for 4 years as a Construction Tech Instructor and in 2009 he was promoted to Sgt.
In 2012 Sgt Power was posted to Base Construction Engineering in Halifax, NS as the Naval Construction Troop Sgt. In 2014 he was assigned to Contracts as a Contracts Inspector.
Sgt Power has completed 27+ years of service within the Canadian Armed Forces and after moving his wife and 2 sons from one side of the country to the other; he intends on letting his wife Donna decide where they will end up but for the time being, they plan on remaining in Eastern Passage until they decide to move on again.
Sgt Power's official Depart with Dignity will take place at a later date and location.
All anecdotes and best wishes can be sent to: MCpl Wade Lawrence at wade.lawrence@forces.gc.ca