Lt.Col.-Dr. John A. English retired from the Canadian army with 37 years service in 1993. He first joined the
King’s Own Calgary Regiment and from 1962 served in the
Queen's Own Rifles of Canada until 1970 when he rebadged to
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Educated at
Royal Roads (1958–60) and the
Royal Military College (1960–62), he went on leave without pay to attain an MA in history from
Duke University in 1963-64. He passed final promotion exams in 1966 and graduated from
Canadian Forces Staff College in 1972. In 1980 he attained an MA in war studies from RMC, and, in 1989, a Ph.D. from
Queen's University while still in uniform. During his career he saw service with Canadian and British regiments in England, Germany, Denmark, Cyprus, Canada, and Alaska. English also served as a NATO war plans officer, Chief of Tactics of the
Combat Training Centre, instructor at the
Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, and curriculum director of the National Defence College.