Carter James CJ Thiessen

Southwest Asia Campaign Star

Combat Engineer

Afghanistan

Carter (CJ) was born 26 October 1990 in Morden, Manitoba to Andy and Tami Thiessen, brother to Brodie. CJ loved all things social. Even as a kindergarten student, he would walk into the classroom and you could hear a collective “CJ’s here!” He was involved in various sports throughout his childhood, but his favorite was hockey and remains a sport he enjoys playing to this day. As a child he often talked about joining the army, but it wasn’t until his last couple of years of high school that it became his purpose. At that time his father, Andy, was the Fire Chief in Morden. Carter was met with reservations from his parents about his future in the Army. He explained that, like his father becoming a firefighter in order to help people, that’s what joining the army meant to him.

Carter applied to the Canadian Armed Forces in the spring of 2008 and shortly after was offered a position to train as a Combat Engineer. He left home immediately following his high school graduation at the young age of 17. It wasn’t until 2 years later that he even needed to shave.

Carter did not come from a family with a military background so this was a difficult transition for his parents and grandparents. However, after the initial shock wore off, the pride took over. What helped immensely was the support of their local church family and the many friends and relatives that prayed continuously for CJ’s safety. This became very important once he was chosen to serve in Afghanistan. Before CJ left for basic training, he got a tattoo on his arm with his favorite and most meaningful bible verse …” I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

Carter joined the Canadian Armed Forces in July 2008. He did his basic training in St. Jean, Quebec and was then stationed in Gagetown, New Brunswick. He immediately started training as a Combat Engineer and within 2 years was chosen to serve in Afghanistan as part of Canada’s last combat rotation in the Middle East. Carter was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2010, to join the Royal 22nd Regiment (Van Doos) Battlegroup in the provinces Panjwaii District. The regiment was known for its offensive fighting tactics and taking Taliban strongholds. Carter’s primary role as a Combat Engineer was to allow friendly troops to live, move and fight on the battlefield and deny that to the enemy. This involved clearing paths and roadways of IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices) in Taliban territory to allow the Battlegroup to advance freely and safely along the battlefield. Engineers, first in and last out of any combat situation.

When Carter returned from Afghanistan, he continued his education with the military and went on to achieve the position of Combat Diver, after completing a 2-week gruelling selection process. He finished his 5-year military career working as a Diver and EOD Operator II at the rank of Corporal.

Carter has since gone on to follow in his father’s footsteps and has become a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Brandon Emergency Services (EMS).