Master Warrant Officer B.E. Holmes

Squadron Sergeant Major HQ Sqn

Master Warrant Officer Holmes was born 6 April 1978 in Welland, Ontario. He enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces on the 10th of July 1998. After completing recruit training at CFLRS Saint-Jean and QL3 at CFB Wainwright, he was posted to Edmonton Alberta, and was assigned to the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) on the 19th November of 1998.

During his 21 plus years of service, MWO Holmes has served in every Squadron except B Sqn within Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre/Land Forces Western Area Training Centre (3rd CDTC/LFWA TC) and Reserve Support Staff at The South Alberta Light Horse (SALH).
 
MWO Holmes has deployed on three operational deployments overseas. In 2000, he deployed to Bosnia on Op PALLADIUM, as a Coyote Driver with A Sqn. In 2003, again deployed to Bosnia, on Op PALLADIUM as a Tp Leader’s Driver and also a Coyote Gunner/Surv Op within C Sqn. In 2007, MWO Holmes deployed to Afghanistan on Op ARCHER Task Force 3-07, as a Troop Leaders Loader within C Sqn. Currently, he is deployed to Latvia on his fourth tour, on Op REASSURANCE, as Company Sergeant Major - Combat Support Company. 

MWO Holmes has three domestic Operations. In 2002 he deployed to Resolute Bay, Nunavut in support of Sovereignty Operations. In 2013, he deployed on Op LENTUS to southern Alberta in support of flood relief measures as a Coyote Tp WO. In 2014, he once again deployed to Nunavut this time to Iqaluit on Op NANOOK as Acting Sergeant Major Recce Sqn. 

Throughout his career, he has been employed in many positions to include, Coyote Driver, Surveillance Operator, Gunner, Crew Commander, Patrol Commander and Troop Warrant, Leopard C2 Gunner and Loader, Leopard 2A6M Loader, LFWA TC SQ/PLQ Instructor, Sqn Admin Sgt, Sqn Ops WO, and Sqn Quatermaster, Regimental Transport WO and RSS Regimental Ops WO SALH. 

MWO Holmes was promoted to his current rank in July 2019 and assumed the role of Recce Squadron Sergeant Major which has been his greatest honour so far in his career and looks forward to soldiering on with the soldiers of the Regiment for years to come.
 
In 2014 MWO Holmes met his beautiful wife Amanda and they have been happily married since 2016. They have five very active children, an amazing son Jake and four wonderful daughters Aydea, Rory, Jada and Preston.