Lieutenant Colonel Michael Owens, CD

Lieutenant-Colonel Owens was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He joined the Reserves while still in high school in January, 1990. Later that year he graduated from Strathmore High School in rural Alberta.

As a young Corporal he deployed to Croatia for OP HARMONY Rotation 2 in 1993 with 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Upon his return to Canada, Corporal Owens completed his Infantry Section Commanders Course and numerous trade courses while working on his University degree. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Military History and International Affairs from the University of Calgary.

As a Master Corporal he took the option to become an officer in 1996 and completed his officer training as an Infantry Platoon Commander. Since that time Lieutenant-Colonel Owens has occupied all the normal positions for an infantry officer including Platoon Commander, Company Second in Command, Officer Commanding "A" Company, Unit Training Officer, Operations Officer, and Deputy Commanding Officer. He has completed the Militia Command and Staff Course, Infantry Dismounted Company Commanders Course, Army Operations Course, and Command Team Course.  Lieutenant Colonel Owens took command of The Calgary Highlanders on 6 November 2010.

In civilian life, Lieutenant-Colonel Owens started his own company, Blatant Media Corporation in 2002 that designs and deploys e-learning.

Lieutenant-Colonel Owens is married to Sybil Cynthia Owens and has three sons, Callum, Macallister, and Harrison.

In May 2005, Major Palmer was selected for employment in Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) on Op ARCHER Roto 1. Over the pre-deployment period, Major Palmer completed the U.S. Army PSYOPS Officer Qualification Course at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Centre and School in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, graduating as the Distinguished Allied Honour Graduate. Major Palmer deployed to Afghanistan on Op ARCHER from February to August 2006 with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group as the PSYOPS Officer in the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team.

In April 2007, Major Palmer commenced training for deployment on Task Force 1-08. Over the pre-deployment training period, he completed the Army Tactical Operations Course (ATOC) and the Information Operations Officer Course. From February to September 2008, Major Palmer deployed to Afghanistan on Op ATHENA with the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group, as the S7 (Information Operations).

From November 2008 to May 2011, Major Palmer was employed as Production Officer and Military Career Counselor at Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre Calgary. Over this period, he continued to support the Calgary Highlanders, initially as Second-in-Command A Company, and subsequently as the Operations Officer. In July 2009, he completed the Infantry Dismounted Company Commander’s Course, and in July 2010, he completed the Army Operations Course. In May 2011, Major Palmer deployed on Ex WESTERN DEFENDER as Officer Commanding C Company, Task Force WARRIOR.

In civilian life Major Palmer is employed as a Project Manager at a Blatant Media, a company that deploys e-learning solutions. He is a fan of reading, hiking and cross country skiing.