Familiar face takes over 3 Div Sergeant-Major position
September 16, 2021 - Tim Bryant, Western Sentinel
A new but familiar face has moved into the 3rd Canadian Division Sergeant-Major’s office.
On Sept. 2, Chief Warrant Officer Wayne Bantock assumed the role of 3rd Canadian Division Sergeant-Major, taking over from CWO Rene Kiens, who had occupied the role for the past three years.
CWO Bantock had previously served as the 3rd Canadian Division Support Group Sergeant-Major from 2018 to 2020, before spending the past year as the task force sergeant-major for the multinational force observers in Sinai in Egypt.
Although he said his time in Sinai was an “incredible opportunity,” CWO Bantock said it was an “incredible honour to be selected” to become the new 3rd Canadian Division Sergeant-Major.
“[This] really is my home,” he said of Edmonton and 3rd Canadian Division. “It’s great to come back to an area that I know, that I have worked in for so long, with so many people that I know. I’m really looking forward to the challenges of the job.”
Caption
The 3rd Canadian Division Sergeant-Major Change of Appointment signing ceremony took place at the Edmonton Garrison Officers’ Mess on Sept. 2. (L-R) Chief Warrant Officer Wayne Bantock, incoming Division Sergeant Major; Brigadier-General David Awalt, Deputy Commander 3rd Canadian Division and CWO Rene Kiens, outgoing Division Sergeant Major.
Photo by Robert Schwartz, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
Those challenges of the job can include long, busy days, which is something CWO Kiens said he’s looking forward to escaping as he heads into retirement.
“The last few years have been pretty high pace,” he said, adding he’s eager to take “a little time to enjoy a little bit more time with family and [take] a breather.”
CWO Kiens’ career comes to an end following more than 30 years of service since first joining the Reserves in 1982. Since those early days, he’s deployed to Iraq—“That was a very interesting time, for sure,” he said—and spent time in the Canadian Airborne Regiment.
He added that his time with 3rd Canadian Division was “outstanding,” and he enjoyed the opportunity to experience the size of the division and navigate the regional dynamics that come with such a large footprint.
Looking back on his career, he said it was the people and working with them that will stand out as memories.
“Camaraderie, friendship, teamwork, getting things done when you don’t expect it to actually get to that outcome, and everybody pulls together and makes it happen,” CWO Kiens said. “The pride you get out of watching people do a job well and doing the tough stuff behind the scenes that people don’t get to see but making sure it all gets done.”
With the busy days in the rear-view mirror, CWO Kiens said it hasn’t completely sunk in yet.
“It’s a little surreal,” he said.
However, no matter what the future holds, he has all he needs in Alberta.
“At the end of the day I’m fortunate enough all my family, all my kids through all our moves and postings, have all settled in Alberta for the time being,” he said.
CWO Bantock had good words to say about his predecessor.
“He’s always been a great mentor and a supporter for me,” he said. “My goal is to continue moving the yardstick as Rene has over the past years.”
Looking to his new task, the familiar territory is bolstered by a familiar workmate – CWO Bantock and 3rd Canadian Division Commander Brigadier-General William Fletcher worked together in their time at 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.
“I hope to do great things with him working together in the future,” CWO Bantock said.
The two men come into the partnership with differing professional backgrounds, CWO Bantock said – he has a technical background thanks to his time with the Canadian Army Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and BGen Fletcher came through the infantry ranks.
“We’re going to be a great yin and yang combination. We’re going to learn tremendously from each other,” CWO Bantock said.