Depart with Dignity – Sgt Joseph David, CD
Westmount, Quebec – 13 October 2025: On Friday evening, members and friends of The Royal Montreal Regiment (RMR) gathered in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess on Friday, 10 October 2025, to honour Sergeant Joseph David, CD, as he concluded a distinguished fourteen-year career of loyal service to the Regiment and the Canadian Armed Forces.
Sgt David joined the RMR on 14 September 2011 and quickly became known for his professionalism, humour, and tireless commitment to his comrades. Over the years, he contributed to every corner of regimental life—serving as President of the Mess Committee for both the Junior Ranks Mess and the Warrant Officers’ & Sergeants’ Mess, mentoring junior members, and consistently setting a high standard of soldiering.
In 2015, his excellence was formally recognized when he received the McKean Trophy for Best Soldier of the Regiment, presented by His Worship Peter Trent, then Mayor of Westmount and Honorary Colonel of the RMR.
Sgt David’s career blended both full-time and part-time service, encompassing a wide range of qualifications including Helicopter Operations, Close Quarter Combat, and Cold Weather Operations. His technical expertise extended to operating more than 90% of all Standard Military Pattern vehicles, a skill that proved invaluable during countless field exercises and deployments.
He proudly represented the Regiment during the 2014 Nijmegen March in the Netherlands as part of the RMR’s Centennial celebrations, marching over 1,000 kilometres in training alone. His operational and domestic service includes Operation NUNALIVUT (2017) in Canada’s Arctic, Exercise FIGHTING WARRIOR (2019) in Virginia, and Operation LENTUS (2019) during the Quebec floods—where his leadership as Company Quartermaster earned him a Commander’s Coin from Colonel Christian Mercier, Commander of 34 Canadian Brigade Group.
Later serving full-time as Resource Sergeant at the 34 CBG Battle School, Sgt David became known for his “old-school” NCO ingenuity and unwavering reliability. In 2022, his dedication was recognized once again with the Canadian Army Command Team Coin, presented by CWO James Smith for his critical work establishing and supporting summer training camps that trained hundreds of reservists.
When reflecting on his time with the RMR, Sgt David simply stated, “The Regiment’s history, sense of family, and integrity.”
Outside the Army, Sgt David is a skilled entrepreneur and motorcycle builder, known for his craftsmanship and passion for fitness—often training alongside his partner, Nathalie.
The Regiment thanks Sgt David for his many years of exemplary service and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours. His legacy of professionalism and quiet leadership will endure within the RMR for years to come.
Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense
