Squadron Sergeant Major
HQ Squadron
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
 MWO Tom C Holland was born in West Germany in Iserlohn at the British military hospital, 27 February 1965. His family was posted there as part of Canada’s NATO Brigade, his father serving with the PPCLI at that time. He spent the first year of his life living over a Gausthause, which would explain his predilection for fine ales. On return to Canada in 1966 he travelled with his family to many bases such as Edmonton, Winnipeg and Victoria, enjoying the true life of a base brat.
Looking to occupy his teen years he joined Air Cadets in 1981 and after several years was awarded a Gliding Scholarship, receiving his wings and licence in 1983. On a path to a full Air Force career, he spent a year in the militia as an infanteer in the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s). Then on, 25 July 1985, he enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) intent on a short career in the Army on his way to the Air Force. After basic training at CFB Cornwallis, he arrived at the Strathcona’s in October 1985. Once TQ3 was complete, he joined Reconnaissance Squadron working in the Echelon. He stayed with Recce until the Regiment’s deployment to Cyprus from September 1988 - February 1989, where he was employed as a driver in Regimental Recce Troop. In the fall of 1989, he was sent on his CLC course and appointed to the rank of Master Corporal in December of that year. In 1991 he was part of the stand up of C Squadron as it was brought back into the order of battle. That summer, he departed for a two year posting in Germany with the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s). With the close out of Germany he returned to the Regiment in 1993 to Assault Troop in Recce Squadron, which rerolled to call sign 60 for the Regimental deployment to Bosnia, May to September 1994. After returning from an overseas tour as a Crew Commander, he was tasked to Gagetown for his Crew Commander’s course in winter 1995. He was promoted Sergeant in Dec 96. In 1997 he completed another tour in Bosnia with the Regiment, this time as an Infantry Section Commander in B Company. Following this, he again deployed as a Patrol Commander in Recce Squadron to Kosovo, June to December 1999.
This time on return to Canada, the Armour Corps realised that Sgt Holland had thus far eluded the grasp of the School and so he was posted to the Armour School summer of 2000. While at the School he completed his 6B course and was promoted to Warrant Officer. His final year in Gagetown was concluded with second language training at the Base Language School. On return to the Regiment in 2005, he went to A Squadron as a Troop Warrant Officer, and then assumed the duties of B Squadron SQMS in the spring of 2006. That summer and fall, B Sqn ramped up and deployed to Afghanistan in tanks for the first time. On return he took over as the HQ Sqn SQMS and was a member of the Guidon party as well. He completed his DP4 SSM Course in fall 2008 and was assigned as SSM B Sqn for Task Force 3-09 that November. In Sep 09 he deployed with B Sqn to Afghanistan. On return from a successful tour he was appointed as HQ Sqn SSM in Aug 10.
MWO Holland and his wife Peggy have 4 children, Alma (11), Thomas (7), Richard (4) and Hayley (2). He studies boatbuilding on his own as an eventual retirement hobby. His interests are those of the children’s which change daily. The Air Force career is apparently still on hold.
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