1. AFTER 28 YEARS OF SERVICE, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WALTER GAMBLIN WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES ON 2 JULY 2021.
2. EVENTUALLY GRADUATING FROM THE ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE OF CANADA IN 1999, HE STARTED THE NEW MILLENNIUM WITH AN OCCUPATION TRANSFER FROM THE INFANTRY TO SIGNALS, MOSTLY IN THE HOPES OF HAVING A MORE UNPREDICTABLE MILITARY CAREER PATH AND ALSO BECAUSE HE REALLY LIKED KINGSTON, ON. HIS FORMATIVE TIME AS A JUNIOR OFFICER, WHEN HE KNEW EVERYTHING, WAS SPENT WITH 2 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP HEADQUARTERS AND SIGNAL SQUADRON, 2001-2005, 3RD BATTALION, THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT, 2004-2005, AND CANADIAN FORCES SUPPORT TRAINING GROUP STANDARDS DETACHMENT – KINGSTON, 2005-2007.
3. ON PROMOTION TO MAJOR IN 2007, HE MANAGED TO REMAIN IN KINGSTON BY SERVING WITH THE LAND FORCE DOCTRINE AND TRAINING SYSTEM HEADQUARTERS IN THE DIRECTORATE OF ARMY TRAINING, 2007-2009, AND THE CANADIAN FORCES JOINT SIGNAL REGIMENT, 2009-2012, BUT AFTER YEARS OF SAYING THAT HE WOULD GO ANYWHERE AND THEN ASKING TO STAY IN-PLACE, HE DID HIS FIRST AND ONLY REAL STINT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION WITH CANADIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS DIRECTORATE OF LAND REQUIREMENTS, 2012-2013.
4. PROMOTED TO LCOL ON COMPLETION OF THE JOINT COMMAND AND STAFF PROGRAMME IN 2014, HE WAS FINALLY DISLODGED FROM KINGSTON BY WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF HIS CAREER, SPENDING THREE YEARS WITH THE NATO JOINT WARFARE CENTRE BASED IN STAVANGER, NORWAY, 2014-2017. WHILE THE MOVE AWAY FROM SCANDINAVIA WAS DIFFICULT, IT EVENTUALLY LED TO HIS MOST MEANINGFUL APPOINTMENT AS THE CANADIAN FORCES SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS AND HOME STATION COMMANDANT, WHILE ALSO SERVING AS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN CORPS OF SIGNALS, 2019-2021.
5. NEVER GOOD AT HANDOVERS AS HE RARELY TAKES THE TIME TO READ STUFF, HE HAS ONLY DEPLOYED ON MISSION OPENINGS OR FIRST ROTATIONS, NOTABLY OPERATION ATHENA ROTO 0 WITH THE KABUL MULTINATIONAL BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, 2003-2004, OPERATION MOBILE THEATRE ACTIVATION WITH THE CANADIAN NATIONAL COORDINATION AND SUPPORT ELEMENT, 2011, AND OPERATION IMPACT WITH NATO MISSION IRAQ ROTO 0 AS THE EMBEDDED TRAINING AND ADVISORY TEAM LEAD AT THE IRAQI SCHOOL OF MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS, 2019.
6. LCOL GAMBLIN WILL CHERISH HIS EXPERIENCES IN SERVICE TO CANADA, HOLD IN HIGHEST REGARD THE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE HE HAS BEEN PRIVILEGED TO SERVE WITH, AND FOREVER BE THANKFUL TO THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO HAVE SUPPORTED HIM ALONG THE WAY. ON COMPLETION OF CANADIAN MILITARY SERVICE, WALTER AND HIS PERFECT PARTNER STEFANIE WILL BE STARTING A NEW ADVENTURE AT THE NATO COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ACADEMY IN OEIRAS, PORTUGAL.
7. NOTWITHSTANDING THAT MOST OF US SHOULD BE JABBED WITH OUR VACCINES IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, THERE WILL NOT BE A FORMAL DEPART WITH DIGNITY AS STEFANIE AND WALTER HAVE OPTED TO HOST “MICRO-DWDS” ONCE SET-UP IN PORTUGAL, FOR AS LONG AS THEY CAN KEEP THEIR WINE CELLAR AND GIN CABINET STOCKED. CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES, WELL WISHES, AND PORT TASTING ADVICE MAY BE EMAILED TO MAJOR GINA DECARIE AT [email protected].
YOURS IN SIGNALS … VELOX VERSUTUS VIGILIANS
Hey Congrats Walter!
Although we were never posted in the same unit, our paths crossed a few times through acquaintances, sporting and social events, and most recently during a short stint of mine at CFSCE as an augmentee instructor.
You are a class act Walter, someone I hold in high regard and am grateful to have seen in action (both on the basketball court and in command!).
I wish you and Stephanie all the best in Portugal. Sounds like it’s going to be pretty amazing!
But bro… we gotta work on that high-five of yours! 😉
Congratulations Walter on an amazing career! Stay in touch while on your second European adventure/career!
Walter, I am very sorry to see you transition out of the Branch and CAF, but you have had a superb run in the CAF over the past 28 years. Thanks for putting your heart and soul and leadership into each and everything that you tackled and championed. You will be greatly missed, but I also note the next big adventure that awaits you and Stefanie over in Portugal. Congratulations on returning to NATO and wish you a very smooth transition. Very best Paul
I cannot recall having met you, as it looks like our paths have not crossed.
But – you have had a most interesting career and a “most excellent” and entertaining retirement message. Thank you for your service to country, and best wishes for your next career with NATO.
Congrats Walter. Best of luck on this new adventure, and thank you for your service. I have always enjoyed our chats and NATO will be well served by having you as part of the team.
The Corps is losing an amazing officer, but it’s good to know you have a future supporting us through the Alliance. Best wishes!
Sir it’s been a pleasure to work with you. Thank you so much recognizing contractors as an important part of the team. I enjoyed our chats about dogs. I hope you and your wife enjoy all the new adventures ahead!! We will miss your leadership!
Congratulations Sir Walter of Gamblin!! Ya done good brother! All the best in retirement.
Congratulations Walter on retiring with such impressive service to Canada and our branch in particular. Best wishes in this next exciting chapter.
Mary
Sir, Was totally my pleasure to serve with you. I remember when I first meet you during a board in Gagetown for the then ASP course. You were rattling off references from the top of your head from SILO. I remember thinking, Lord I hope I wont be able to do that when I leave here. Again Walter. Was my prime ledge
Walter, good luck on the next phase. It was a pleasure working with and for you over the years. Don’t drink and eat too much as you will eventually start to put on weight.