VETERAN FEATURE: Rocky Mountain Rangers Capt. Max Birkner

“I had been through a lot of experiences that some people would consider frightening, and I just didn’t feel like I was afraid of anything anymore,” he explains. “For a while, that led me to take certain risks that I certainly wouldn’t take now. That was a really interesting adjustment for me.”

In the wake of that first overseas tour, Birkner took some time off from the military.

“I think it’s really important to point out how lucky I am. You know, there were many people who deployed to Afghanistan that were not so lucky — who were injured or killed.”

Birkner’s most recent deployment was in 2021, with Operation IMPACT in Kuwait as a project coordinator. Now, Birkner serves as a Captain with the Rocky Mountain Rangers in Kamloops. The storied history surrounding the Rangers is part of what made him join in 2012.

“They’ve been in and around the southern Interior of B.C. since about 1908,” he notes. “They’re a very proud regiment and when I moved to Kamloops from Vancouver to go to school, I thought, ‘What an excellent opportunity to get to join and serve with such an excellent regiment.'”

Part of the appeal of this work is overseeing younger members and helping them foster that same desire to serve their country.

“I’m excited that there are people who are willing to join the military for the right reasons, and that those people are going to be there for us when there is a need,” adds Birkner.

Over the years, Birkner has also worked in a civilian capacity with the B.C. Wildfire Service and the provincial transportation ministry. Today, he has a family and has worked out a balance between home life, work and service with the Rangers.

As for whether he’ll step forward to take on a future deployment, Birkner says he’s open to the idea.

“I know for myself, that if for some reason there was a need to take up arms in the defense of Canada, then I would be willing to do that today, and in the future at any time when it’s needed.”

On Remembrance Day, Birkner says what he thinks of most are the people who were killed in Afghanistan and other areas of conflict.

“I’m talking about, first of all, the Canadians, but also the people of other nationalities who were killed there serving and doing something that they believed was right — including the Afghan soldiers and the Afghan police,” he explains. “I will also think about all the people that were injured there.”

Overall, Birkner is grateful for the life he has. And feels it is crucial to make sure younger generations understand those sacrifices made in the past are just as relevant to Canada’s future.

“I think it’s important to keep Remembrance Day fresh in our minds because veterans, many of them have passed away and many of them died on the battlefield, but there are many veterans who walk among us, and we don’t necessarily know that they’re there.”

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If you or a loved one are a veteran in need of free, confidential mental health support, the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Assistance Service can be accessed on a 24/7 basis at 1-800-268-7708.

by Dylana Kneeshaw

VETERAN FEATURE: Rocky Mountain Rangers Capt. Max Birkner

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