My civilian career spanned the years between 1970 and 1998 and as you know, a lot of changes took place in marine communications during that time. I won't even attempt to list the name changes that were applied to my position(s) over the years, in fact I can't remember a lot of them!
 
1969: Completed 8 years in Royal Canadian Navy in the Communications Research Branch both as a Radio Operator (1961-67) and a Radio Technician (1967-69).

1970: Was a successful candidate in a competition for a position at Marine Info Ontario (MIO), Ministry of Transport, Marine Services, Marine Hydraulics Division, located in Port Weller, Ontario

1973: MIO transferred to Sarnia, Ontario,  renamed "Coast Guard Traffic Centre Sarnia".  I eventually became a Watch Supervisor.

1988: Successful in a competition for Regional Standards and Training Officer, VTS, Central Region.  Worked with other CG Regions  to establish a national training program for VTS marine traffic regulators in addition to Regional duties.

Between 1988 and my retirement, VTS and RO amalgamated to become MCTS, Marine Communications and Traffic Services, and it became part of Fisheries and Oceans rather than Transport.  My position was renamed "Operations Specialist" in the new MCTS branch but I remained active in training, particularly in the cross-training which taught VTS personnel how to be radio operators, and vice versa.

1998: Retired in March.

Gord Walker

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