Chief Warrant Officer C.R. Ells, CD

Regimental Sergeant Major, 2003-2006

Chief Warrant Officer Russ Ells was born in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, March 1961. He enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in July 1980 in Toronto and undertook his Armoured training at Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) in Calgary, Alberta. On completion of his trades training in January 1981, he was taken on to Regimental strength.

CWO Ells served in a number of positions within the Regiment including tank driver, gunner and crew commander. He completed his Combat Leaders Course at the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle School, in Wainwright, Alberta and was promoted MCpl in 1982. CWO Ells completed the Advanced Armoured Gunnery Course in 1983, at the Armoured School, Combat Training Centre, in Gagetown, New Brunswick. The following year he completed his Trade Qualification 6A and was promoted Sergeant. CWO Ells remained with the Regiment employed as a tank crew commander, Troop Warrant Officer and Reconnaissance Patrol Commander. He also completed the Advanced Mine Warfare course in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

In 1987, he was posted to the Armoured School where he completed his third advanced course; the Combat Arms Advanced Driver, as well as his Trade Qualification 6B. CWO Ells was employed as an instructor in Tactics Squadron and as a gunnery instructor until posted in 1990, to CFB Shearwater, Nova Scotia to attend the Continuous French Language Course.

CWO Ells was promoted Warrant Officer and was posted back to the Strathcona’s in 1991. Upon his return he was employed as the Regimental Gunnery Warrant Officer. In 1993 he returned to Gagetown to complete his Trade Qualification 7. In 1994, CWO Ells served as the Battle Group Operations Warrant for OP CAVALIER, in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. Upon the Regiments return to Canada he became the Squadron Quarter-Master Stores of Reconnaissance Squadron. He was promoted MWO in 1996.

In 1997, as the Squadron Sergeant Major of Reconnaissance Squadron he re-rolled as Infantry to become the Company Sergeant Major of B Coy, LdSH(RC) for OP PALLADIUM Roto 1. Having completed his second tour in Bosnia, CWO Ells was appointed the SSM of A Sqn, the Armoured Cavalry Squadron. After assuming the duties of Squadron Sergeant Major Headquarters Squadron in 1999, CWO Ells was promoted to his current rank and posted to the Armour School as the Standards CWO in 2001.

CWO Ells has been happily married for twenty-two years to Angela Celeste (nee Arias Blanco of Valencia, Venezuela). They have two beautiful daughters, Sofia Celeste and Shannon Briana.