TORONTO—Darryl Foster of Gore Bay, a Chief Warrant Officer in the Canadian Forces, was among 50 people recently awarded an Order of Military Merit for his distinctive merit and exceptional service displayed, his dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty to Canada and his selflessness attitude to service before self. The award was presented to Mr. Foster by the Governor General of Canada, his Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnson, in an investiture ceremony held in June at the Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
“I joined the CAF really to get away from going on to school and with a bit of a push from my parents, okay, a big push. I have enjoyed my 31 years in the military and would not change a thing,” said Mr. Foster. “I was once told when I first got in that for every hard time you have in the military you will have six good times and I couldn’t agree more. I am sure my ration was even better than 6:1.”
Mr. Foster explained, “not many people will get the chance to do what I have done, see the things I’ve seen or get to go to the places I’ve been; for this I owe the military. I thank my parents for the push and for their great mentorship and guidance prior to joining the military. I would also like to say thanks to my teachers for providing the guidance needed to get me through my adolescent years—you will all be happy to know that my education has never stopped over the last 31 years. Also a big thank you to my wife for allowing me to do my job and for having to be away from home for over five years due to training and tours.”
Mr. Foster is the son of Joyce and Tom Foster of Gore Bay, who were in attendance at the recent presentation. “Tom and I attended the ceremony at Rideau Hall and found it very interesting and exciting to see Darryl along with 49 others receiving this honourable award,” wrote Ms. Foster in an email to the Recorder. “Seeing them in their uniforms made one feel proud of them and proud to be Canadian. Unless we hear of one of them being killed, we tend to forget that they are there to serve and protect this great country. We are proud of Darryl and glad that we were able to attend and be a witness to this once in a lifetime achievement.”
David Johnston, the Governor General, stated in a letter, “as chancellor, it is an honour to mark the 40th anniversary of the Order of Military Merit and to pay tribute to the dedication and excellence of Canadian Forces members. Since 1972, the Order has served as a showcase of remarkable achievements and contributions from within our military, highlighting exemplary conduct for all to see.”
“In my role as commander-in-chief of Canada, I have the great privilege of meeting regularly with our men and women in uniform and of celebrating their service to Canada,” wrote Mr. Johnston. “I am often struck by the strength of the bond that unites the Canadian Forces. Each member plays a different role, but all are drawn together by a common purpose and set of values and by wonderful camaraderie. This close connection within the ranks is one reason why individual conduct is so significant, and why the Order is such a powerful symbol of excellence. The Canadian Forces is a unique family, and, as in any family, role models are important.”
“The Order of Military Merit exists to celebrate the individual actions that are the living spirit of Canadian military professionalism,” wrote Mr. Johnston. “This honour speaks to the price that peers, commanding officers and Canadians all have in our military. It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to express my own gratitude for the excellence and service of its recipients.”
Former Chief of Defence Staff General Walter John Natynczyk, and Principal Commander of the Order of Military Merit, stated in a letter, “the members of the Order of Military Merit are the finest representatives of the Canadian Forces. They have all demonstrated, over many years, the best qualities of our military tradition. Whether they demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovated, led operations at home and abroad or provided vital support, they serve as tremendous examples each in their own field.”
“The 40th anniversary of the creation of this signal honour is an appropriate time not only to reflect on the history of this distinguished institution, but more importantly to renew our recognition of those select few who have been admitted to the Order for their loyal and dedicated military service to Queen and country,” wrote Mr. Natynczyk. “Be proud to be a member of this august group, as only one in every thousand members of the Canadian Forces is admitted in any given year. The criteria are exacting and the selection processes rigorous. This speaks to the consistently high standard of members who have been appointed or promoted to the Order since 1972.”
Mr. Foster told the Recorder that to be eligible for the award, “someone nominates you. I’ve been with the military since 1983.” He has reached one of the highest levels of military ranks within the non-commissioned (NCM) members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The non-commissioned ranks arranged in order are, Private (Pte), Corporal (Cpl), Master Corporal (Mcpl), Sergeant (Sgt), Warrant Officer (WO), Master Warrant Officer (MSO) and Chief Warrant Officer (CWO). Only three percent of NCMs of the CAF will reach the CWO level.
Mr. Foster enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 1983 as an artilleryman (gunner) going directly to CFB Shilo, Manitoba on his recruit training and then into the 3rd Royal Canadian Horse Artillery regiment (3RCHA).
In 1989, he re-mustered to the Canadian Military Engineers, construction side of the house, as a plumber gas fitter, now known as plumbing and heating (PH) technician. Always a soldier first for Queen and country, his trade is considered as a secondary duty. He was then posted to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden for the next 10 years where he did a short tour to Canadian Forces Station Alert in 1991, completed a six month tour to the Golan Heights in 1993, a six month tour to Haiti in 1996, and did one last six month tour back to the Golan heights in 1999.
In 2000 he was posted to CFB Petawawa into the Area Construction Troop (ACT), 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2CER). During his six-year stay with 2CER, he completed a six month tour to Bosnia in 2001, a six month tour to Afghanistan in 2003, and then went back to Afghanistan for a two month TAV in 2005.
In 2006 Mr. Foster was posted to CFB Trenton for the next seven years and in 2007 he completed a six-month tour to Alert and then back to Alert for a second six month tour as the Station Warrant Officer (SWO). In 2013 he was posted to Garrison Toronto in Downsview, Ontario and appointed as the Regimental Sergeants Major (RSM) of the 4th Canadian Division Support Group (4CDSG) Engineer Services.
In his current job he forms part of a Command Team with his boss LCol Erik Crane, the Commanding Officer of the 4CDSG Engineer Services and Division Engineer. Under their command fall all engineering services within the Ontario region. Garrisons Petawawa, Toronto and 48 armouries are within the Ontario region where they are responsible to ensure that the infrastructure projects/upgrades/maintenance is kept up.
In a letter from Queen Elizabeth, she states, “it is with great pleasure that I noted that 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the institution of the Order of Military Merit. In this the 60th year of my reign as Queen of Canada, it is most gratifying for me to share an important anniversary year with so many outstanding members of the Canadian Forces who have been honoured through this Order over the past four decades.”
“My pride in approving the creation of this honour in 1972 is only exceeded by my pride in the men and women of the Canadian Forces who go about their onerous tasks on a daily basis with such diligence, fervour and commitment.”
