After more than 34 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, WO Wade Schriner, CD, will retire on 04 June 2024. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to Sgt M.K.J Galbiati-Bourassa at Michael.Galbiati-Bourassa@forces.gc.ca.

A DwD function for WO Schriner will be held on 03 June 2024 from 12:00 to 14:00 hrs at the “Smoke ‘n’ Barrel” restaurant, 627 Fortune Crescent, Kingston, ON.

WO Wade Schriner, CD Joined the CAF in May 1989 in North Bay, Ontario, as a Reserve Airframe tech and completed basic training at CFS Penhold, Alberta. Upon completion of basic training, he began working with 400/411 Tactical Helicopter squadrons in Downsview, Ontario. In 1991, he took an OT to the Military Police reserve, serving with 25 MPPL, while studying Architecture at Humber College in Toronto. In May of 1995, he joined the Regular Force and served with 2 RCHA until September 1999, which included a deployment to the former Yugoslavia with 3 RCR as part of Roto 3 SFOR.

In September 1999, he began a new trade and was one of the first of five Reg Force Construction Techs selected for the alternative service delivery for the QL3 course at Nova Scotia Community College in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. From there, his first posting as a Construction Tech was to 19 Airfield Engineering Flight in Comox. Working with both the Flight and CE Carpenter shop, he developed the skills to be sent on the QL5 course in less than two years. In November 2004, he deployed for the first time as an Engineer to Op DANACA Roto 82 in the Golan Heights.

After returning from his deployment in May 2005, he was posted to the Pacific Naval Construction troop at CFB Esquimalt. In 2007, he deployed again, this time to Op ATHENA Roto 3 in Afghanistan with 5 Regiment du Genie de Combat out of CFB Valcartier and filled the role of camp carpenter for the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team.

2009 brought another posting, this time to 9 Wing Construction Engineering (CE), where he took on the role of Contracts Officer. During times when the WCEO was absent, he would step into the role of A/WCEO. Over his five-year posting, he managed several million dollars of infrastructure upgrade projects. In September 2013, he received the Certified Engineering Technician designation from the Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Newfoundland and Labrador. WO Schriner also volunteered his time with the town of Gander as both a volunteer firefighter and a Scout leader.

In August 2014, he was posted to 2 Specialist Engineering Team for 1 Engineering Support Unit (1 ESU). While at 1 ESU, he worked on many projects such as Ex NIHLO SAPPER and completed the tactical recce and camp design for the Canadian contingent in Lviv, Ukraine. Since the summer of 2016, he has been with Real Properties Operations Unit (Ontario), detachment Kingston, as the Compliance NCO. During this time, he deployed on Ex NIHLO SAPPER 2018 as a camp SSM. His role at RPOU(O) has gradually evolved to include USS (Unit Security Supervisor), ISSO (Information Systems Security Officer), UAR (Unit Ammunition Representative) and Unit Training Coordinator. He also organized the 50th Annual Pigspiel, a curling bonspiel, which raised over $2500 for the SoldierOn charity despite being cancelled due to COVID.

In April 2018, WO Schriner became a civilian volunteer with 224 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, where he helps teach discipline, pride in self, and marksmanship. In December 2022, he was promoted to the rank of WO and in February 2023, he became the A/DSM for RPOU(O). In August 2023, he relinquished the role of DSM and was posted to RPOU(O), detachment Toronto, but working for Det Kingston as their Compliance Officer. On 4 June 2024, WO Schriner will transfer from the Regular Force to the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS). During the next phase of life, he will enrol in the Energy Systems Engineering Technology program at St. Lawrence College in September 2024 under the VRPSM.