User:Jimteakles

An Autobiography!

Jamie Dallas Lewellyn Teakles, (1959- Present) (Jim), Teakles B.Sc., MCIWD, MRT(R), C.D., NATO-FY/CPSM, Bosnia-Herzagovenia); was born in Chatham New Brunswick Canada, now called Maramachi, the combined Municipalities of Chatham and New Castle. Birth was at the D'ieu Hospital, (23rd December, 1959), and was outside of the Royal Canadian Air Force Base, that was active there during the 1950's. Son of James Hopping and Iris Christina Gaunce.

The Teakles surname was adopted from Robert Teakles. Robert was also a resident of East Saint John New Brunswick in childhood, but eventually settled and past away in Winnipeg, MB. Robert Teakles was a service member with the R.C.A.F.

Jamie's Grandmother was Jessie Iris Holiday, (Flewelling), who was a nurse during WWII, and practiced in Saint John New Brunswick, as well has through the New England States,(USA), and throughout Western Canada, (Vancouver). Grandfather was Aubrey Gaunce who resided in Ingleside, New Brunswick and had one son named James, and daughter, Iris. An adopted son Named Edward Freeman Gaunce, (Fitzpatrick).

Jamie's Sister, named Kim Marie, is presently residing in West Saint John New Brunswick. His Mother, Iris is also residing in Saint John New Brunswick as well.

Jamie grew up mostly in West Saint John, and graduated from one of the biggest High Schools during the 1970's. The name of the school was Millidgeville North High School. He graduated in 1979 with a combined College and General Academic Diploma. His strong suites were Science and Math. After graduation he attended The Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology for one year, working on a Technologist certificate in Architectural Technology. This was in Sault Ste Marie Ontario. Jamie finished his Architectural design and drawing in St. Andrews, New Brunswick in 1981. He also specialized in Mechanical and Graphics Arts Drawing as well. After graduation he obtained employment with Public Works Canada, as a Draftsman, in Saint John New Brunswick.

In the early 1980's, the recession hit the Atlantic Provinces very hard, and Jim was laid off from Public Works Canada. After a year of medial employment, Jim applied and joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983, with the YTEP Program, and enjoyed a 16 year career. His trade in the Armed Forces was initially as a Medical Assistant, (Medic). Eventually Jim became a Medical Imaging Technician and then a Registered Technologist with the CAMRT, (Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologist), in 1994. After retirement from the Armed Forces in Halifax, in 2000, Jim went back to school and earned a Masters Certificate in E-Commerce, Website Design and Maintenance in 9 months from IBM. Jamie moved to Vancouver, where he secured employment with Vancouver General Hospital as a Medical Imaging Technologist. During his stay here, he also earned a Bachelors Degree from Anglia Ruskin University, from the U.K. Jim continued working in the Vancouver area and Sea to Sky Corridor where he co-managed a department in Pemberton, British Columbia. This was North of Vancouver, twenty minutes North of Whistler, B.C. Jim also pursued interest in teaching Medical Imaging, CT Scanning, and Bone Mineral Density Testing.

Jim also served on the Board of Directors for the Provincial Association of Medical Imaging Technologist, (BC). Jim also has many hours of community service, and raising money for Prostate Cancer.

Jim did a tour in Bosnia-Herzagovenia in late 1996 and 1997, (6 Months). He was stationed in Coralici in the Northwest part of the country. Although fairly safe and self contained, the camp was also hosted by the PPCLI, (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry). He worked at a Medical Field Hospital and practiced Diagnostic Imaging. Later Jim was to write a article entitled, "Radiology in the Medical Field Environment". This article was published in the; "Nova Scotia Association of Medial Radiology Technologist's", journal. Other publications were also published in the British Columbia Association of Medical Radiation Technologist in later years.

During his tour in Bosnia, Jim also worked in a Hospital in a town called Bihac. Here he worked with the Department Radiologist, and helped the department get some equipment refurbished and running again. He offered technical assistance for the department and was greatly appreciated by the staff present in the department. This Hospital was approximately 1.5 hours from his base camp, through some areas that were still touchy for NATO soldiers present in the area. Jim received a NATO Medal of Service for his tour, (SFOR / NATO-FY), Later he was awarded another Medal for his tour of duty from the United Nations, (CPSM - Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal).

Another notable achievement during his Military Career, was his involvement with the Halifax, (Peggy's Cove), Swissair 111 disaster. Because of his involvement and contribution for aiding the RCMP and Transport Canada, with passenger identification, he received a Letter of Accommodation from the CAMRT, in 1999. Medical Imaging was used as a valuable tool in this area.

Jim was also a member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron No. 161, which was based in West Saint John, but now has moved to Grand Bay. During his tenor with the Squadron he earned his Gliding and Private Pilot Wings. He left the Squadron has a Flight Sargent.

Canadian Armed Forces

Jamie joined the CAF in 1983, and signed up, on the day of his mother's birthday in 1983, (Saint John, N.B.). Jamie passed all the pre-selection tests and was only 2 points from becoming an officer. He avoided eye glasses by memorizing the eye test chart. Jamie received his joining instructions and was to make way for the Canadian Forces Recruiting Station Cornwallis, N.S. After a journey across the Bay of Fundy, via the Digby Ferry, on a bright sunny day in August, and caught the bus to the Station. Most memorable thought was as everyone made their way through the gates with out hesitation, and ambition, Jamie stood there and viewed the whole base. He was on a hill and could see the whole base layout. A panorama view of white buildings, luscious green trees and flag poles. The distant yelling of NCO's conducting drill and other training exercises. His thought of coarse was of one, and only one; It is not too late to not go through the gate, and change your mind, why am I here, fear and ignorance of the unknown.

After a few minutes and being the only one left behind, Jamie decided to pass through the gates and enter a career that would embark him on personal growth, physical exercise and military education.

Jamie found his way to a long one store white building where all the new recruits were collecting. He was quickly told to join the others who were standing in ranks. Told no talking. After about an hour, of standing around and doing nothing, military mentality started with yelling and instructional direction. this is it, your in the army now.

Training for Jamie was pretty much second nature, just go with the flow, stay out of the way. In 10 weeks Jamie put on 20 lbs on a once scrawny frame. Muscular and aerobically ft now, full of energy and ambition. The next stage of training was to CFB Bordon, Ontario to the Canadian Forces Medical Services School. Here for the next 3 months, Jamie would learn all there is about being a Medical Assistant in the CAF. There was Hospital training as well as Field Medical Training. Jamie passed and was then sent to CFB Winnipeg, where he was stationed at the Base Hospital. Now, has a youngster and how fate would play in this, Jamie often would walk pass this base hospital, on his way to the local Canex, or shopping center. Jamie would stop and look at the building many times, and wonder about what was going on inside. CFB Winnipeg was an Air Force base as well.

Jamie did well here, how ever we must remember that he was on Canada's YTEP program. The one year program that was created to increase recruiting for the Armed Forces, because of the recession. Often recruiting was from the East Coast because of this. After a few months in Winnipeg, MB, Jamie was posted to CFB Calgary. (1984) Here he would join the 1st Field Ambulance, which was part of 1 Combat Brigade Group. From CFB Calgary Jamie was recruited to be a Lab Technician, and was sent to Ottawa's NDMC, (National Defence Medical Centre), After the course, Jamie decided not to do this trade, so was sent to CFB Petawawa, to the 2 Combat Brigade Group, and the regiment known as 2RCHA, (2nd Royal Canadian Horse Artillary). (1988) Jamie served in the Regiment for 1 year, and was then posted to CFMED, (Canadian Forces Medical Equipment Depot). Here Jamie learned all there was to know about medical equipment storage, receiving and shipping. The Gulf War was in full swing as well, although he volunteered for active duty and a tour, he was denied because he was married at the time.

Jamie continued his education and upgraded all his High School Mathematics, and finished with High Honors for Math 11 & 12, Physics 11 & 12, and Chemistry 12. His new goal was to become an Medical Radiation Technologist with the CAF. After a 1 year postponed start, in 1994 Jamie was back at NDMC, training to become a X-Ray Technician. After a 1 year theory study of theory courses, he was sent to CFH Halifax, (1995), for phase 2 of his training.