Pte. Ross Nixon, former army infanteer turned Algonquin engineering student, was awarded the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (CPSM) on Jan. 20 for his participation overseas — nearly 10 years ago.
“Congratulations,” said Major Mathieu Primeau, Commandant of the School of Military Mapping, as he shook hands with Nixon and handed him the medal. The CPSM was created in support of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize that was awarded to the Canadian Forces.
“It really highlights and recognizes the many missions that Canada served in overseas,” said Nixon. “It made me feel proud to have received it. It sounds just like any other medal, but it’s not. It is vital, regardless of some of its flaws,” he said.
Nixon worked in collaboration with the United Nations in three separate peacekeeping missions. He was stationed in Croatia in 1994, Bosnia in 1998 and Kosovo in 2000. During his tours, he was either placed in the weapons detachment or second in command (2IC) of a section, which is usually composed of eight to 10 soldiers.
Soon after his return from Kosovo, Nixon left the military to spend more time with his family. He had taken part in three tours over a span of seven years, which left him with very little spare time. He rejoined in 2007 and eventually received the CPSM, which had temporarily been awarded to his unit.
Nixon, born in Sardinia, Italy, is currently studying geospatial information systems (GIS) here at the college. Combat engineers do their part in the military by constructing bridges, roads, obstacles, and by detecting and using explosives in the battlefield.
The GIS program is a specialty which furthers the abilities of standard combat engineers. Upon graduation, he will have elaborate mapping skills including analysis, reproduction, distribution, surveying and management.
After a total of nine years of service, he completed the basic courses and qualifications, then advanced himself with courses such as Basic Reconnaissance Patrolman, Junior Leadership, and Advanced Machine Gunner.
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