Capt Joachim Nnanna (inset) held outdoor Sunday services during the pandemic. Now Maj Nnanna is leaving 1RCHA following his promotion, taking on the role of Wing Chaplain at CFB Trenton. Photos Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag.

Jules Xavier
Shilo Stag

Capt Joachim Nnanna won’t soon forget his time serving alongside 1RCHA soldiers, especially in the RTA during his first exposure to Ex FROZEN GUNNER.

In fact, the 51-year-old’s four years on this Base are filled with memories he will carry with him as he heads east this month. Promoted and now Maj Nnanna, his next role in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is as Wing Chaplain at CFB Trenton, Ont.

“What will I miss? Probably being part of a family when I was hard posted to a unit like 1RCHA,” he offered. “That was a first for me, and I welcomed being part of the unit and doing everything with those soldiers. Going out in the field with them, that’s when I earned my credibility. I did everything with them and it was a cold winter — being out there in -38 Celsius those soldiers around me were convinced their padre wants to be part of their unit.”

Arriving here four years ago, Maj Nnanna brought more than two decades of experience when he stood at the front of St. Barbara’s Church during one of his many Sunday services.

This includes take the church and its flock outdoors during the COVID pandemic, using the grassy and treelined area east of the Faith Centre. Capt Euikyun Chang replaces Maj Nnanna as chaplain at 1RCHA.

When he started his residency at CFB Shilo in August 2018, his job priorities were advocating for members, offering spiritual support for the community, providing moral and ethical advice to the Chain of Command, acting as a “triage” for professional counselling and adding a “calming presence.”

“I think we as human beings underestimate the power we have, we underestimate how resilient we can be,” he said during a 2018 Stag interview. “I believe there is more in each of us and we can tap into that in times of adversity.”

Today, he’s preparing for the move to Ontario, and its traffic headaches he experienced on his House Hunting Trip (HHT).

“Driving on the prairies is no problem,” he offered.

“Wow, the driving conditions I experienced coming out of Toronto on Hwy 401 will require learning patience because of the heavy traffic when you are in the GTA.”

Ordained in Nigeria more than two decades ago, Capt Nnanna started his life in the faith lane in Rome, Italy before being transferred to Peterborough, Ont. through a ministry exchange program. After working 13 years as a “civilian priest,” the Padre said he knew he wanted a change.

“I felt I wasn’t being challenged enough — we call this ‘ministry on the edge’,” he said with a laugh. “One of the challenges is that in the civilian life, people came to us — now as chaplains, we go to the people.”

Army chaplains have a long list responsibilities but one of the biggest pieces for Maj Nnanna is the “ministry of presence” meaning simply working alongside Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and being a silent  reminder he is available for those who need to talk despite their religious beliefs.

“For the past several years I have met a lot of young people who may not be religious per se but are spiritual,” he said. “Now I’m ministering to people of different backgrounds and the flock is much wider.”

Initially wanting the opportunity to work with a more diverse group and the younger generation, he compared his days of civilian ministry of knowing what his work day was going to look like, to his days now of always learning new things and working with people from all different faith backgrounds or no faith backgrounds at all.

“I don’t want to use the word ‘retraining’ but adapting — before I knew what to expect … I have learned so much from other Chaplains from different faith backgrounds,” he said. “I have a greater appreciation for the [diversity].”

With his previous posting at CFB Esquimalt on Vancouver Island, Maj Nnanna has enjoyed the challenge he has brought into his life since joining the CAF chaplaincy, and has enjoyed his nearly four years on this Base.

He reports to CFB Trenton July 20.

“I took the same approach on my first posting to BC, where he made sure if there was a ship going out to sea, he would be on board. Likewise, at CFB Trenton, if there’s an opportunity to go for a ride on a Hercules he will be lined up at the transport plane’s open door. I was offered a lot of artillery experiences with 1RCHA,” he recalled. “I fired the M777 twice. I did a crash course in driving the LAV, so went out with an experienced crew to observe what they do. From my interactions on exercises, I had lots of hands-on experiences with different artillery gadgets.”

While he never experienced a ride on a submarine or on HMCS Regina, he did sail plenty at CFB Esquimalt.

He was on Op PROTECTION which took the major to Japan, South Korea and South China area.

He also made the ceremonial plunge into the ocean, but with a twist, as per Navy traditions when crossing a meridian like the equator.

“I can’t swim,” he said.

“So, they lowered a ladder into the ocean so I was able to touch the water. I wore a life jacket. I wanted to experience what others were experiencing, so I climbed down the ladder and plunged in …

I floundered around a bit.”

While leaving Manitoba will be bittersweet for Maj Nnanna, he’s excited about the new challenges ahead working with a team of seven padres in Quinte West (formerly Trenton).

“I’m looking forward to mentoring younger captains by drawing on my past 11 years,” he said. “I know I have lots to learn as Wing Chaplain. I have a new rank, new job and new home — I will be doing lots of learning.”

He’s fortunate his handover will last until next February when the current Wing Chaplain retires. Besides being the next Faith Community co-ordinator, Maj Nnanna will hold services at CFB Trenton’s catholic church.

“I’m here for the military members. I believe people are the same, whether they are civilian or military. They all need care no matter the [CAF] element they are in.”

He added, “No matter my rank, I’m still a priest and will be attached to the church, and be part of the ministry.”

Next year will see a few milestones for Maj Nnanna. Besides marking a quarter century since he was ordained, he will also receive his CD after serving a dozen years in the CAF. “It will be a memorable year for me in 2023, and I look forward to it. I have new challenges ahead for me, but I look forward to this next chapter in my military career.”

Looking back at his time at CFB Shilo, Maj Nnanna counts two events as memorable for different reasons. He was able to do a sermon during the annual 9/11 service at Peace Memorial Gardens on the Manitoba/North Dakota border.

And he officiated the funeral for former 1RCHA RSM CWO Stephen Rice, who died suddenly while posted to CFB Kingston. He did the ceremony both on the Base and the graveside ceremony in the
military section of the Brandon Cemetery.

“This has been a rewarding adventure for me here at CFB Shilo,” he said. “This is the first place I felt I belonged to the military family, thanks to being part of 1RCHA. Artillery history is a fascinating life, and I will always have an affinity to it.”