Bob Allen

Biography

I was a prairie boy. I joined the Navy in 1967, likely because the other logical choice — the RCMP — trained only a few blocks from my house. The other possible reason was that I refused to believe there was a body of water I couldn’t jump across. Early on, I promised myself that if the Navy ever stopped being fun, I would quit and do something else. I suppose it turned out to be fun because I eventually retired — to Victoria — 36 years later.

Fortunately, the human brain is wired to forget the bad things and embellish the good ones. For that reason, I remember my Milcol years fondly. I made some great friends, many of whom I still have today; I got to do things I never would have dreamed of otherwise; and while having a rewarding and enjoyable time, the Queen paid me $90 a month!

I divided my career almost equally between the West Coast, the East Coast, Ottawa, and foreign postings. After graduation, I convinced the Navy to send me for post-graduate studies in the UK. Highlights of my West Coast service included being XO of GATINEAU and the last commander of Maritime Operations Group Two. I was also equerry to HRH The Prince of Wales and Princess Diana during a major Canadian tour. In Halifax, I was honoured to serve as CO of GATINEAU, the absolute pinnacle of my career. With the CPFs not yet operational, a few “steamers” carried the full load of taskings, including enforcing UN-mandated embargoes off the former Yugoslavia and off Haiti.

At NDHQ, I completed several tours, all in policy positions, usually Asia-Pacific-focused. I was also closely involved in policy aspects of the First Gulf War.

I ended my service in the United States — three years as Deputy COS to COMSTRIKFLEETLANT and two years at SACLANT HQ. I enjoyed my Navy time immensely. It was always challenging and rewarding.