Captain T.U. Lauterbacher

Strathcona Mounted Troop Leader

Captain Tom Lauterbacher grew up on a farm in Winfield, BC and is one of two brothers to join the CAF. Upon enrollment in the CAF in 2013, he initially enrolled as an Armoured NCM and conducted his training in St. Jean, Gagetown and Edmonton, prior to being posted to LdSH(RC) in 2015.

On posting to the Regiment, he took part in several major exercises as a Leopard 2 Driver, Gunner and Loader. He also completed his 25mm Gunnery course on the Coyote platform. Outside of training he joined the Strathcona Hockey team as a goalie, playing in EX STRONG CONTENDER 2016-2018. During the summer he also took part in the Strathcona Golf Team and competed in EXERCISE MOUNTAIN RAM for 3 consecutive years from 2015-2017. In 2018 he was selected for the Regimental Nijmegen team and completed the ‘4 days march’ in The Netherlands. During his off time, he completed university courses and was accepted to the UTPNCM program in late 2018.

From 2018-2022 he attended MacEwan University in Edmonton Alberta, where he excelled in the Bachelor of Arts – History and Classics program. He achieved the highest GPA in classics as well as acceptance to the Golden Key society. During summer months, he completed military training and received Top Candidate on his BMOQ-A course in CFB Edmonton/Wainwright. On graduation from university, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant and tasked to the British Columbia Dragoons for 3 months as the Operations/Planning Officer. There he aided in the planning of several regimental exercises, ranges and fitness events within the community. In January of 2023 he was loaded on to his LAV 6 Crew commander Gunnery and Armoured Troop Leader course in Gagetown, NB. On completion of his Armoured Officer courses, he was posted back to the Regiment in early 2023.

On arrival back to the Regiment he was placed in D Squadron and sent immediately on IRU to the Fox Creek fires as a platoon commander. Drawing on skills he had obtained prior military service; he immediately had a large impact on IRU, integrating his platoon within the fire fighters on scene. During the IRU his prior skills proved vital as he was required to co-ordinate the usage of helicopter water drops, air tanker, dozers and excavators to halt a large break in the fire line.

Post IRU, he was promoted to Lieutenant and tasked as the Course Officer for Leopard 2 Gunnery, Loader, and Crew Commander Gunnery. This aided in the conversion of D Squadron to C Squadron and commenced the work up training for deployment. As the C Squadron First Troop Leader, he completed EXERCISE STEELE SABRE and conducted Squadron level training at Fort Cavazos, Texas. He was promoted to Captain in May of 2024.

In June 2024, he deployed as First Troop Leader C Sqn on OP REASSURANCE to Latvia. During his deployment his troop excelled during all major exercises. He was periodically tasked to take on the role of Battle Captain during several exercises and conducted various multi-national live fire ranges. During his down time in Latvia, he played as the starting goalie for a combined nation hockey team. There he integrated himself with his Latvian counterparts and took part in COMREL hockey tournaments and a competitive hockey league where his team took bronze.

On return to Canada in late 2024, he was immediately moved to SMT to take on the role of Mounted Troop Leader for the upcoming 2025 ride season. With his prior experience with horses and growing up on a farm in the Okanagan, Captain Lauterbacher is looking forward to the busy 125 celebration year for the Regiment, which will include the United Kingdom King’s Guard tasking in mid-July.