HMCS MONTREAL

Command Team

Captain

Commander Michael James (Jamie) Tennant


Credit:  DND

Cdr. M.J. Tennant

Commander Michael James (Jamie) Tennant was born in Brantford, Ontario.  He joined the Navy in 1985 under the Officer Cadet Training Plan.  After being commissioned in 1987, he was posted to HMCS ANNAPOLIS where he received his Bridge Watch Keeping Certificate in 1988.  Subsequently, he was posted to the Minesweeper Squadron where he served as Deck Officer of HMCS CHIGNECTO and HMCS MIRAMICHI.

He chose to specialize in ship-borne helicopter operations and completed the Anti-Submarine Air Controller’s course in 1990.  Commander Tennant then served as the Combat Information Officer on HMCS RESTIGOUCHE until 1992.  Following a shore posting as Staff Officer Administration and Training of the Naval Reserve unit HMCS STAR in Hamilton, Ontario he returned to sea as Deck Officer of HMCS TERRA NOVA in 1995.  In 1997, he completed the year long Operations Room Officer course and went on to serve as the Operations Officer and later as the Combat Officer of HMCS TORONTO.

In 1999, Commander Tennant was posted to Canadian Forces Naval Operations School (CFNOS) and led the team responsible for Halifax Class Weapons System Certification and Missile Readiness Inspections until 2002.  He returned to the waterfront at that time and served as the Sea Training Atlantic Combat Officer and as the Fleet Combat Officer to Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic.  Commander Tennant returned briefly to CFNOS in 2005 as the Tactics and Team Training Officer prior to leaving the east coast to attend the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in Toronto.  He graduated in 2007 as part of Joint Command and Staff Programme 33 whereupon he completed his tour as Executive Officer of HMCS ATHABASKAN. 

He was promoted to his current rank in July 2008, Commander Tennant deployed to Manama, Bahrain and served as staff to the Commander, Combined Maritime Forces as the Deputy Director Future Operations and the Canadian Senior National Representative.  On return to Canada, Commander Tennant served briefly as the Officer-in-Charge of the Maritime Forces Atlantic Personnel Support Unit before being posted to National Defence Headquarters in 2009.  It was there that he was employed within Chief of Maritime Staff’s Directorate of Maritime Strategy. 

Commander Tennant assumed his current post as Commanding Officer of HMCS MONTRÉAL on 8 July 2011.

Commander Tennant is married to Sophie (née Gudgeon).  They are the proud parents of four children named Matthew, Duncan, Abigail and Chloë and live in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.  When time permits Commander Tennant enjoys walking the family dogs, taking in a round of golf and cheering for his favourite NHL team.

Date modified:
7/1/2010