Chief Warrant Officer (Master Gunner) J.J.E. DeGready, CD
Regimental Sergeant Major

CWO (Mr Gnr) Etienne DeGready was born in 1963, in Rouyn-Noranda and he grew up in the region of St-Hyacinthe, Quebec. He enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1980 in Montreal.

Upon graduation from basic training, CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready was posted to 2e Battalion Royal 22e Regiment, at the Citadel of Quebec City and in Valcartier. After RV81 in Gagetown, N.B., he volunteered for overseas duties and was immediately posted to 1er Battalion, R22eR, in Lahr, West Germany, where he enjoyed all the advantages associated with European training environment. CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready returned to 2e R22eR, in 1984. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1986. CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready took part in numerous major exercises during that time such as “RV 85” in Suffield and Wainwright, and “Brave Lion” in Norway 1986.

In 1987, CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready took an occupational transfer to Air Defence Artillery and, after completing the required training, moved to CFB Chatham, NB., with 119 Air Defence Battery. He received training on the Boffin, Blowpipe, Javelin and 35mm Gun System. He took part in major exercises during that time such as “RV 89” in Suffield and as part of Allied Command Europe Mobile Force Land, (AMF (L)) in Norway. In 1989 he returned to Germany, as part of 129 Airfield Air Defence Battery, 4th Air Defence Regiment. Promoted to Warrant Officer in 1990, CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready returned to CFB Chatham to complete the Assistant Instructor in Gunnery (AIG) course and the ADATS course. CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready subsequently served the Air Defence Artillery School until CFB Chatham’s closure, in 1995, when he was posted to Directorate Military Career (D Mil C), in Ottawa, as Artillery Career Manager.

In 1997, CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready returned to 4th AD Regt, but this time in Gagetown, where he served as Support Troop Sergeant Major and, Gun Troop Sergeant Major with 128 AD Bty. He served with the regiment in St-John, N.B., during the 1998 Ice Storm, and in Peggy’s Cove, N.S., following the crash of Swissair flight 111. In 2001, CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready was instrumental in preparing Air Defence soldiers to serve as Infantryman; a dozen required to be qualified ERIX gunners, a dozen GRIZZLY drivers, a dozen machine gunners, and all of them needed infantry platoon level training necessary for the theatre of operation. All of which had to be completed prior to joining the 3e R22eR Battle Group in Valcartier for pre ROTO training. His platoon received a Battle Group Commendation for their outstanding performance during ROTO 9. Promoted to Master Warrant Officer in Bosnia, in 2001, CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready returned to 4 AD Regt regiment, in 2002, and moved his family to Moncton, N.B., to serve the regiment with 119 AD Bty as Battery Sergeant Major.

CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready was posted to Kingston, Ontario, in 2004, where he had the opportunity to attend the Army Technical Warrant Officer (ATWO) programme. After successful completion of the programme in 2005, and receiving the title of “Master Gunner”, he was posted to the Munitions Experimental Test Centre (METC) in Valcartier. During his term as Trial Director in METC, CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready was directly involved in multiples developmental trials for which METC received a commendation from the DM of Science and Technology for their contribution in enhancing vehicles protection against IED threats and improving the survivability of our soldiers in Afghanistan.

CWO (Mr. Gnr) DeGready was promoted to his present rank in July 2005. He is married to Marion Holt, since 1982, and they have a daughter, Natasha.