33 Combat Engineer Regiment

Graphic: Joanna Gajdicar

33 Combat Engineer Regiment (33 CER) is a reserve unit in Ottawa that trains combat engineers in specialized skills. Located at The Major E.J.G. Holland VC Armoury, the Regiment is a part of 33 Canadian Brigade Group, a Primary Reserve formation of the Canadian Forces.

Combat engineers are important members of the Canadian Forces. They are soldiers trained to use specialized tools that allow them to support friendly forces while denying mobility and advantage to the enemy. Using mechanical, manual, hydraulic, electric, and gas powered tools, combat engineers can build bridges, observations posts, roads, and various military structures.

Combat engineers support Canadian Forces’ operations by mapping locations for friendly movement, by assessing suitability of various terrain for construction, and by denying enemy mobility through the use of obstacles and demolitions. Whether simply using trees to block enemy road movement or using concertina wire and steel pickets to create barricades, combat engineers must be resourceful and take advantage of any available materials to complete the task required.

Undertaking explosive calculations and charge placement is a serious responsibility. Combat engineers are the highly trained soldiers who use explosives to destroy things such as enemy ammunition caches, bridges and roads.

When you join our unit, you will receive competitive pay for your part time or full time work as well as be eligible for on the job training that could benefit you in civilian life. Also, there are medical, dental and educational benefits available to Army Reservists.

Here are all the details:

• Serve part time in the CAF
• Competitive pay
• On the job training
• Medical and dental benefits
• Paid education

• Commander: Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Kelly, CD
• Sergeant Major: Chief Warrant Officer G. Hunter, CD