37 Service Battalion

AMALGAMATION OF 37 CBG SERVICE BATTALIONS

BACKGROUND

Effective April 1, 2010 as part of the Army's transformation,
each Reserve Brigade has one Reserve Service Battalion.
For 37 Canadian Brigade Group, this means that both 31 (Saint John)
Service Battalion and 36 (Nfld) Service Battalion have amalgamated into
37 Service Battalion. The stand-up of 37 Service Battalion was held April 10th.

Combat Service Support plays a vital role in supporting the Army. It is the
Service Battalion's mission to provide Combat Service Support (CSS) relating
to supply, transport and maintenance services to Land Force Units of Atlantic
Canada and to provide individual augmentation to Regular Force units. The
Battalion is also tasked to provide a CSS Platoon on short notice in response
to any Domestic Operation requirement.

STAND DOWN PARADE

St. John’s, NL - A stand-down parade for 36 (Nfld) Service Battalion was conducted at Canadian Forces Station St. John’s on Saturday 27 March 2010.

Effective 1 April 2010, as part of the Army’s transformation, each Reserve Brigade will have only one Reserve Service Battalion. For 37 Canadian Brigade Group, this means that both 31 (Saint John) Service Battalion and 36 (Nfld) Service Battalion will amalgamate into 37 Service Battalion.

The formation of 36 (Nfld) Service Battalion was authorized in June 1970 by Canadian Forces Operations Order (CFOO) 70/18. The order authorized the unit to commence recruiting and training in September 1970, and initially designated the unit as the Newfoundland Militia Service Battalion. The first members of the unit were members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who were selected and recruited to join the unit in various Combat Service Support trades. The number 36 was assigned to the unit in August 1975 and the first Commanding Officer was Lieutenant-Colonel Alex Cowan who rose to be the Commander of the Newfoundland Militia District. Mr. Cowan was the last serving Honorary Colonel of 36 (Nfld) Service Battalion.

The unit headquarters was initially located on the upper floor, south wing of Bldg 312 in Fort Pepperrell. The first location for the Transport, Maintenance and Supply Company operations was in the compound of Building 907, on the south east corner of Fort Pepperrell. The Administrative Company of 36 (Nfld) Service Battalion was located in Central and Western NFLD with personnel and equipment in Grand Falls, Corner Brook and Stephenville; co-located in the armouries, with the three companies of The Second Battalion of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

The Reviewing Officer for the parade was Colonel Greg MacCallum, Commander 37 Canadian Brigade Group, based out of Moncton, NB, with both Honorary Colonel Alex Cowan and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Kathy LeGrow in attendance.
Lieutenant-Colonel Meulenkamp, the last serving Commanding Officer of 36 (Nfld) Service Battalion used the opportunity to present several parting gifts to the first Commanding Officer, and last serving Honorary Colonel of 36 (Nfld) Service Battalion, the legendary Honorary Colonel Alex Cowan. Honorary Colonel Cowan received letters from the Prime Minister of Canada, the Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador, the Mayor of St. John’s, and was presented with a framed 36 (Nfld) Service Battalion Pennant.
In addition, Lieutenant-Colonel Meulenkamp presented Commanding Officer commendations to both Corporal Michael King and Corporal Janis Dwyer in recognition of their dedication and unending support to both their unit and brigade when they unselfishly assisted medical personnel during a severe vehicle accident and assisted in recovery action. Their courage and prompt action was duly recognized and greatly appreciated.

The final presentation was conducted by Colonel MacCallum who presented a certificate of service to MCpl Darren Reardon for his 14 years of service to his country. MCpl Reardon joined the Primary Reserve in 1995 and voluntarily released in December 2009 to focus on his family and his teaching career. He is currently completing a Masters in Leadership Education at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, and is working full time as a Grade 6 teacher at St. Theresa’s School in St. John’s. Mr. Reardon currently resides in Torbay with his wife Charlene and two young sons, Kalem and Jayden.


The photo of the script signing was taken by OCdt Christopher Furey of 36 (Nfld) Service Battalion and the photo of Honorary Colonel Cowan was taken by Robert Young.