Raised in Kamloops , British Columbia Captain (Capt.) Michael Allen (alias Padre) is a Free Methodist chaplain in the Canadian Forces (CF). He is the son of Dave and Sylvia Allen and is currently deployed as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). The road to Kandahar began back in April 2005 when Capt. Allen currently posted to Canadian Forces Base Edmonton began training for the deployment to Afghanistan .
Capt. Allen and 250 other CF personnel arrived in Kandahar in July and are presently serving on a six-month long mission known as Operation Archer.
Serving the Canadian Forces for the past 10 years, Capt. Allen is a minister based out of 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI), located in Edmonton, Alberta. He is currently employed as the protestant padre with the Provincial Reconstruction Team. His primary job is to provide ecumenical services to his fellow deployed soldiers and provide spiritual advice to the commanding officers.
“I’m very proud to be serving my country on my this deployment, and Canadians should count their blessings every day. Afghans have suffered greatly over the past years and I am happy to say that Canadian soldiers are making a difference in the lives of ordinary Afghans.”
The Provincial Reconstruction Team is composed of about 250 soldiers mainly from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI), located in Edmonton Alberta . The PRT brings together Canadian military personnel, civilian police, diplomats, and aid workers in an integrated Canadian effort to reinforce the authority of the Afghan government in, and around, Kandahar and to assist in the stabilization of the region. In order to do so, the PRT conducts security patrols, assists local reconstruction efforts, supports local governance institutions and facilitates reforms to the security sector.
Capt. Allen would like to take this opportunity to say hello to his friends and relatives back in Kamloops and Edmonton .
“Take a moment to reflect on a lot of the things we take for granted in Canada . I look forward to seeing you all again and may the Lord watch over you and keep you safe.” Capt. Poehlmann is a Public Affairs Officer with the Canadian Forces currently serving in Kandahar as a member of the Provincial Reconstruction Team.
Capt. Poehlmann is a Public Affairs Officer with the Canadian Forces currently serving in Kandahar as a member of the Provincial Reconstruction Team.
