Command Team of the Naval Reserve

Commodore P.J. Montgomery, OMM, CD

At Malahat, Commodore Montgomery served as the Deck Officer while completing his B.Sc. and M.Sc. at the University of Victoria. He obtained his Bridge Watchkeeper’s Certificate in 1989 and spent several summers serving in Porte Class gate vessels, PBs and “YAG” (Yard Auxiliary, General) training vessels. In 1993 he transferred to HMCS Nonsuch, Edmonton’s Naval Reserve Division, while continuing his postgraduate studies at the University of Alberta. While at Nonsuch, he served as the Operations Officer, and continued to go to sea at every opportunity, including as Executive Officer (XO) for the unit’s final Gate Vessel Weekend, which brought HMCS Porte Quebec alongside for the last time.

On completion of his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Commodore Montgomery moved to Prince George as faculty at the University of Northern British Columbia. While there, he maintained his part-time career with the Naval Reserve, and trained with Nonsuch whenever possible. After gaining knowledge on the new Kingston class, he was awarded his Minor Warship Command qualification in 2004, serving several periods as XO of HMCS Nanaimo during the summer months.

In 2008, after a tour as XO of HMCS Kingston, Commodore Montgomery moved to Victoria and assumed command of HMCS Edmonton followed by a hull transfer to HMCS Saskatoon. During nearly four years in command, he was involved in the full range of coastal operations, including Operation Podium, the CAF contribution to the Centennial of the Navy and Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics security efforts, Exercise RIMPAC 2012, and a variety of port visits from Juneau, Alaska to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. On completion of his sea posting, he moved ashore as the Mine Warfare Officer for Coastal Forces (Pacific), working towards growing our Navy’s capability in this important warfare area.

In 2015, Commodore Montgomery transitioned back to part-time service while joining the faculty at Camosun College in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. He served as the Naval Reserve Western Region Captain from 2015 to 2018, followed by a posting as Special Assistant to the Director General, Naval Strategic Readiness. Commodore Montgomery was promoted to his current rank and appointed Commander Naval Reserve in July of 2021. He currently resides in Victoria with his wonderfully supportive wife and enjoys spending time with his two sons, sailing the Gulf Islands, and playing tuba in the Greater Victoria Community Band.

Chief Petty Officer, 1st Class R.C. Campbell, CD

CPO 1 Campbell was born in Montréal, Que., and raised in Burlington, Ont. He joined the Naval Reserve at HMCS Star, Hamilton’s Naval Reserve Division, as an Ordinary Seaman Naval Combat Information Operator (NCI OP) in 1990. Upon acceptance into university, CPO 1 Campbell transferred to the Prevost Detachment of HMCS Star, prior to her recommissioning as HMCS Prevost, London’s Naval Reserve Division, on 29 September 1990.

From 1990 to 1995, CPO 1 Campbell completed his NCI OP training and spent the summers primarily in Halifax. He sailed in HMC Ships Skeena, Porte St. Jean, Moresby and Anticosti, and participated in numerous coastal defence exercises.

In the fall of 1995, CPO 1 Campbell was selected for the first official crew of Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel (MCDV) 03, HMCS Nanaimo. CPO 1 Campbell served as the Senior NCI OP in Nanaimo (1996–1998). Highlights of his time in Nanaimo included: accepting the ship from Halifax Shipyards, the coastal transfer to the West Coast, the ship’s commissioning in Nanaimo, B.C., Op Mandible (1997 waterborne security for the APEC Summit in Vancouver) and MARCOT 2-97.

CPO 1 Campbell returned to part time service in HMCS Malahat, Victoria’s Naval Reserve Division, in 1999. Between 1999 and 2005, he was employed in various departmental and divisional positions in Malahat and participated in Best Practices working groups at the Formation level. CPO 1 Campbell served as Coxswain of HMCS Malahat from 2005 to 2008.

CPO 1 Campbell has served in the following staff positions: NCI OP instructor at Canadian Forces Fleet School Esquimalt (1998), NCI OP training development at Canadian Forces Fleet School Québec (1999), Pacific and Northern Regional Chief Petty Officer (2010–2011), Naval Reserve NCI OP Occupation Advisor (2007–2012), the Naval Reserve Training Support Cell (NRTSC) Chief Petty Officer (2013–2015), Western Region Training Plans Chief Petty Officer (2014–2016), the Naval Reserve Chief Petty Officer’s Assistant (2016–2017), the Western Region Chief Petty Officer (2018–2021) and the Succession Planning Chief Petty Officer (2021–2023).

While on temporary duty assignment with his civilian employer in Halifax, N.S., between 2016 and 2017, CPO 1 Campbell volunteered at HMCS Scotian, Halifax’s Naval Reserve Division, and contributed to four strategic change management initiatives: the Naval Security Team (NST) concept development, the Regenerative Training Requirements (RTR) Manual Working Group, the Retention Working Group and the Risk Management Work Group. 

CPO 1 Campbell was promoted to his current rank on 13 May 2023; the same day he assumed his current role as the Naval Reserve Fleet Chief Petty Officer.

CPO 1 Campbell holds a B.Sc degree in Biology from the University of Western Ontario, a Certificate in the Application and Management of Information Technology from the University of Victoria and is a certified Project Management Professional. CPO 1 Campbell has over 23 years’ experience in the Defence Industry working on complex domestic and international Naval Programs. He is currently employed with Lockheed Martin Canada as the Senior Manager, Combat Systems Integration Programs responsible for portfolio performance of Design and Build (DAB) and Sustainment programs and responsible for growing Lockheed Martin Canada’s Combat Systems Integration portfolio with new and existing customers domestically and internationally. 

CPO 1 Campbell resides in Saanich, B.C., with his wife Pamela and their children Gabrielle and Jamieson.