Duty Band | Guest of Honour

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Guest of Honour

Captain (Navy) Mark B. Watson

following family tradition, joined the Canadian Forces in 1983. However, unlike his father who was a proud “tank driver,” he decided to make the Navy his home. After attending Royal Roads Military College, he transferred to the Royal Military College (RMC), where he graduated in 1987. While undergoing logistics training in 1989, he was selected for early sea duty in HMCS HURON as the ship's Assistant Supply Officer. In HURON, he participated in a variety of operations and exercises that saw him not only sail the Pacific Ocean, but also transit both the Suez and Panama Canals, permitting him also to cruise the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Red and Arab Seas. While transiting the Straits of Hormuz in 1991, he was “fortuitously” promoted to Lieutenant(Navy) and recalled from the Middle East to become the Logistics Officer in the new frigate HMCS VANCOUVER. After two years sailing the Atlantic Ocean, he was landed to become a “shore stanchion” in the Comptroller Branch of Maritime Command Headquarters. Shortly thereafter, he was deployed to Grottaglie, Italy for OPERATION SHARP GUARD (embargo against Serbia), where he established NATO's first operational Forward Logistics Site.

In 1996, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander and became the Logistics Officer in HMCS ATHABASKAN. After two years at sea, followed by two years on the Maritime Staff in Ottawa, he attended the Canadian Forces College where he was promoted Commander. Upon graduation he became the Formation Administration Officer at Canadian Forces Base Halifax, where he oversaw support functions at the largest base in Canada.

In the summer of 2006, he decided to turn in his nice and neat navy white uniform for army combats and spend some time on the “beaches” in Central Africa. Accordingly, he deployed and became the senior Canadian and chief logistical adviser to the African Union's Mission in the Sudan supporting its 7,000-person mission in Darfur. Upon returning to Canada, he took over the role of J-4 at Canada Command, where he oversaw support services for Domestic Operations. In 2009, he assumed the position of Director of Maritime Materiel Operational Support, where he was responsible for all logistical policy and planning for the Navy. On 1 January 2009, he was promoted to his present rank.

In the summer of 2010, he took up his current position as Commandant of Canadian Forces Support Unit (Ottawa), where he oversees all administration and support for the nearly 20,000 military and civilian members of the Defence Team in the nation’s capital.

Capt(N) Watson is the Drum Major for the RCMP National Region Pipe Band (which allows him to continue his fascination with the heavenly music of the bagpipes). He has also penned numerous articles and has written one (and probably only) book, entitled “Sea Logistics – Keeping the Fleet Ready Aye Ready.” Capt(N) Watson’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History and Political Science (RMC); a Master of Arts in War Studies (RMC); a Master of Business Administration (St. Mary’s University); a Master Defence Studies (RMC), and he has just completed his Certified Management Accounting designation. Capt(N) Watson is married and has two children.