Honoured in Lockstep
November 23, 2022 - Defence Stories
By: 31 Canadian Brigade Group
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Chief Warrant Officer Roger Gonsalves and Chief Warrant Officer Jennifer Gonsalves were promoted to their new rank and appointed to Regimental Sergeant Major of their respective units, 31 Service Battalion and 23 Field Ambulance, on September 29, 2022.
Two impressive achievements were recognized in one very unique ceremony in Hamilton on September 29, 2022. The role of Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) was appointed to husband-and-wife tandem, Roger and Jennifer Gonsalves, along with their promotions to Chief Warrant Officers (CWO).
Their appointments to RSM of 31 Service Battalion and 23 Field Ambulance respectively, are indicative of their long-standing dedication to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and serves as a heart-warming reflection of how they’ve set out on this journey hand in hand.
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Then Cpl Roger Gonsalves on exercise with 23 Service Battalion in Fort Knox, Kentucky in March 1999.
Becoming a Chief Warrant Officer takes many skills, a substantial depth of character, time, experience and effort. To reach this level is an honour. Having two high-level ranks at the same time and being appointed to RSM in the same family is unique and worthy of many celebrations.
The journey to this destination began in 1994. As a high school student, Roger joined the CAF in Hamilton, 23 Service Battalion at the time, with the mere aspirations of gaining some summer employment. Advancement was hardly given a second thought, “I really hadn’t thought much about anything beyond the first couple months. But I really enjoyed the experience and the people I met. It quickly became something I looked forward to.” By 2017 Roger had been appointed a Company Sergeant Major in the Battalion and promoted to Master Warrant Officer.
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Then MCpl Jennifer Gonsalves training at the John Foote Armouries in Hamilton, ON on May 20, 2004.
While studying at the University of Western Ontario, Jennifer joined 22 Service Battalion and became a medical assistant. In 2004, Jennifer transferred to 23 Medical Company – now 23 Field Ambulance. After being promoted to Warrant Officer, she too was appointed Company Sergeant Major in 2018. “The opportunities I’ve had, the skills I’ve developed, and the people I’ve met through my years while serving really could not have happened anywhere else.”
Their story together began in the spring of 2000. It was then – as Corporal Gonsalves and Private Creber – that the two would meet during a brigade exercise in Kentucky. The two were married just a few years later in 2003, and are now the proud parents of Samantha, 17, Julian, 14, and Jackson, 12. “It's amazing to be married to someone who understands the military and is there to support the other, whether on deployment, on course or dealing with the many idiosyncrasies of the army.”
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The Commanding Officers of 31 Service Battalion and 23 Field Ambulance stand together with the Gonsalves family. From left to right: LCol Stephane Briand (CO, 31 Svc Bn), Julian, CWO Roger Gonsalves (RSM, 31 Svc Bn), CWO Jennifer Gonsalves (RSM, 23 Fd Amb), Samantha, Jackson, LCol Tom Ruggle (CO, 23 Fd Amb)
Their tenure in the CAF has offered invaluable experiences and lifelong friendships that have shaped who they are. Now CWO Gonsalves and CWO Gonsalves can proudly add the well-deserved honour of being appointed Regimental Sergeant Majors to the list. Together, they share this remarkable achievement as a family.
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