Combat Engineer CWO Alain Guimond appointed Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer

The Canadian Army recently appointed a new Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer (CFCWO). In 2017, this position will be filled by Army Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Alain Guimond.

Guimond, a native of Sainte-Blandine, QC, joined the Canadian Army at the age of 17 in 1983. He served in all rank levels at various Combat Engineer Regiments and taught as an instructor at both the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, BC and at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec.

Guimond has also served on four deployments to Bosnia between 1992 and 2002 and additionally served in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2009 as Engineer Sergeant Major and Regimental Sergeant Major for Canadian Personnel Headquarters.

Guimond is also a qualified Combat Diver and Basic Parachutist.

In 2015, Guimond was appointed as Army Sergeant Major. His primary duty in this position has been to explain and reinforce the Army Commander’s directives to the troops. He also takes part in decision-making in the areas of dress, discipline, and deportment.

“I am a very proud Senior Non-commissioned Officer, and I see them [NCOs] as the backbone of the Army,” CWO Guimond said at the time of his appointment as ASM. “I see them as the translators between the officers and the troops to give orders and get things done and would like to reaffirm the importance of that role.” 

His job as the new CFCWO will be to act as senior advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Department of National Defence on issues relating to Non-Commissioned Members (NCMs).

“I wish to thank CWO West for his dedication to the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces and for his significant contribution to our institution. I would also like to congratulate CWO Guimond on his appointment as the 13th CFCWO,” said Chief of the Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance. 

Canadian Army Commander LGen. Paul Wynnyk also congratulated Guimond.

“I want to sincerely congratulate CWO Guimond on his forthcoming appointment,” stated Wynnyk.

Guimond will be taking over the new post from outgoing CFCWO Chief Warrant Officer Kevin West who has been in the position since 2013.