After an extensive military training exercise, soldiers from the 31 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG), welcomed a new command team out in the field. On Friday afternoon (August 23rd, 2019), in the training grounds at Garrison Petawawa a change of command ceremony took place. 31 CBG has welcomed Colonel Joe Robinson as the new commanding officer. Robinson is taking over command for Colonel Chris Poole who has served in the role for the last three years. Robinson says 31 CBG is made up of roughly 2,300 regular force and reserve soldiers based in southwestern Ontario. Colonel Robinson says the Canadian Armed Forces looking to strengthen the army reserve core and adds it’s a great opportunity for men and women to join the military.
The new commanding officer of 31 CBG says he spent most of his military career in the reserves and came out of the regular force with the 2nd Royal Canadian Regiment in Gagetown, New Brunswick. In his civilian life, Robinson says he’s a high school history teacher and football coach at London South Secondary. As a part of the change of command ceremony that took place last week in Petawawa, Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Mark Delabrosbil was handed the Sergeant Major’s stick from CWO Rob Talach. Delabrosbil has 35 years of service (25-years in the regular force) and has spent time in Gagetown, North Bay, Petawawa, Sault Ste Marie and London, Ontario. Delabrosbil is now the Regimental Sergeant Major for 31 CBG.
CWO Rob Talach hands the Sergeant Major’s stick to CWO Mark Delarosbil. (photo credit: Garrison Garrison Petawawa Base Imaging)
Brigadier-General C.J.J. Mialkowski, Commander, 4th Canadian Division, talking with soldiers of 31 CBG during the change of command ceremony (photo credit: Garrison Garrison Petawawa Base Imaging)