Biography of Brigadier-General Darrell M. Dean CD
Colonel of the Regiment 2009 - Present
Colonel of the Regiment 2009 - Present
Brigadier-General Dean was born in Vancouver, BC., on 8 September 1941. He completed his elementary and secondary schooling in BC. During this time he served five years with the Irish Fusiliers [The Vancouver Regiment] cadets and two years in the militia. He enroled in the regular force under the Officer Candidate Plan in 1960.
In 1961 upon receiving his commission, he joined his second regiment, Lord Strathcona’s Horse [Royal Canadians] in Calgary. Here he was employed as a troop leader, which included a one year tour with the United Nations Emergency Force in Palestine. In 1964 he was posted to the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps School in Camp Borden Ontario, where he was employed as a tactics instructor. He returned to his regiment in 1965 and served in Iserlohn,West Germany, for five years. He was employed as a liaison officer, battle captain, operations officer and adjutant.
In 1970-71 he attended the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College at Kingston, Ontario. From the staff college, he was posted to Headquarters 2 Combat Group in Petawawa Ontario, as an operations officer and subsequently to National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. He returned to Europe in 1974 and was employed as a staff officer in the headquarters at Canadian Forces Europe, Lahr West Germany. In 1975 he was re badged and posted to the Royal Canadian Dragoons, serving in Canada’s NATO Brigade. While serving with his third regiment he commanded Headquarters Squadron, B Squadron [tank] and Reconnaissance Squadron. In 1977 he was posted to Headquarters 4 Mechanized Brigade Group [4 CMBG] as the Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General. Following his tour at 4CMBG he returned to Canada and was employed as a staff officer in the Personnel Branch at National Defence Headquarters.
In 1982 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and again returned to Lahr West Germany to command his regiment, the Royal Canadian Dragoons. In 1984 he was promoted to Colonel and posted to the National Defence College. In 1985 he was posted to National Defence Headquarters as the Director of Armour/Director Land Combat Development. In 1988 he was posted to the Canadian Forces Language School and was promoted to his present rank. At this time he was also inducted into the Canadian Forces Sports Honor Roll for his achievements in Judo. He was the 4 CMBG champion, 2nd British Division champion, British Army of the Rhine and British Army champion. He holds a 5th degree black belt.
In 1961 upon receiving his commission, he joined his second regiment, Lord Strathcona’s Horse [Royal Canadians] in Calgary. Here he was employed as a troop leader, which included a one year tour with the United Nations Emergency Force in Palestine. In 1964 he was posted to the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps School in Camp Borden Ontario, where he was employed as a tactics instructor. He returned to his regiment in 1965 and served in Iserlohn,West Germany, for five years. He was employed as a liaison officer, battle captain, operations officer and adjutant.
In 1970-71 he attended the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College at Kingston, Ontario. From the staff college, he was posted to Headquarters 2 Combat Group in Petawawa Ontario, as an operations officer and subsequently to National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. He returned to Europe in 1974 and was employed as a staff officer in the headquarters at Canadian Forces Europe, Lahr West Germany. In 1975 he was re badged and posted to the Royal Canadian Dragoons, serving in Canada’s NATO Brigade. While serving with his third regiment he commanded Headquarters Squadron, B Squadron [tank] and Reconnaissance Squadron. In 1977 he was posted to Headquarters 4 Mechanized Brigade Group [4 CMBG] as the Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General. Following his tour at 4CMBG he returned to Canada and was employed as a staff officer in the Personnel Branch at National Defence Headquarters.
In 1982 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and again returned to Lahr West Germany to command his regiment, the Royal Canadian Dragoons. In 1984 he was promoted to Colonel and posted to the National Defence College. In 1985 he was posted to National Defence Headquarters as the Director of Armour/Director Land Combat Development. In 1988 he was posted to the Canadian Forces Language School and was promoted to his present rank. At this time he was also inducted into the Canadian Forces Sports Honor Roll for his achievements in Judo. He was the 4 CMBG champion, 2nd British Division champion, British Army of the Rhine and British Army champion. He holds a 5th degree black belt.
Copyright 2010 Royal Canadian Dragoons, All Rights Reserved