Regimental Sergeant-Major, 
1 Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Chief Warrant Officer R. (René) Kiens began his career in the reserve force with the Queens Own Rifles of Canada in 1982 in Toronto, Ontario. He joined the regular force in 1985 and his first posting was to the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) in Esquimalt, British Columbia in B Company Headquarters Weapons Detachment.

During his career, CWO Kiens has completed the Infantry Section Commander Course, Infantry Platoon Commander Course and Infantry Company Sergeant-Major Course. He is qualified LAV III Gunner, Crew Commander and every parachute course available in the Canadian Forces to date. Most memorable courses are Parachute Instructor, Mountain Operation Instructor and Combat Survival Instructor with the SAS.

CWO Kiens has spent most of his career in the field force with the Canadian Airborne Regiment, 3 PPCLI and 1 PPCLI. He was promoted from Private to Sergeant while serving in 2 Commando and Pathfinder Platoon. CWO Kiens was promoted to Warrant Officer in 2001 during his employment with the Canadian Parachute Centre, were his was employed as a Course Warrant Officer and Standards Officer.  CWO Kiens was promoted to Master Warrant Officer in 2006 and in June 2011, CWO Kiens was promoted to his current rank.

CWO Kiens' operational experience includes deployments to Somalia 1993 with the Pathfinder Platoon of the Canadian Airborne Regiment, NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia in 1997 with 3 PPCLI and in 2000 with

3 PPCLI Parachute Company.  In 2008, he deployed to Afghanistan as Bravo Company Sergeant-Major for Task Force 1-08 as part of Force Protection Provincial Reconstruction Team and was awarded Mention in Dispatch. CWO Kiens was the Quarter Master Sergeant Instructor for 1 PPCLI and the Administration Company CSM during deployment to Afghanistan for the Battle Group Task Force 3-09.

He would like to especially note that the strength of his family has aided him throughout his career and is a contributing factor in his success.