Herb Petras

Who is Herb Petras?

Major-General Herb Petras, CMM, CD, began his military career at the age of 16 when he joined the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He attained the rank of Warrant Officer. On graduation from university he transferred to the infantry, where he commanded the Second Battalion, Irish Regiment and Northern Ontario Militia District.

In 1980, he was selected to attend the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia, USA. This was followed by a tour as a DS on the Militia Officer Staff Course in Kingston.

On relinquishing command General Petras was posted to Land Force Central Area Headquarters, where he served in strategic planning, the Director of the Militia Officer Training School, responsible for all officer staff training, Deputy Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of Land Force Central Area.

In August 1999, he was posted to Chief of Land Staff, to do Language and Senior Leadership training. The following year, Major-General Petras was appointed Director General Land Reserves. During his tour as DGLRes he played a major role in implementing Phases I and II of Land Force Reserve Restructure.