Mike enrolled in The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada in March 1970 and followed his basic courses, advanced trade courses and leadership courses at CFB Valcartier. He was promoted to Master Corporal in 1972, appointed Lance Sergeant in 1974, Sergeant in 1976, Warrant Officer in 1979 and Master Warrant Officer in 1984. Mike was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and appointed as Regimental Sergeant Major of The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada in September 1987.

Following his term as RSM, Mike transferred to the Eastern Area Battle School at CFB Valcartier as the School CWO from September 1990, until December 1991. In January 1992 he was transferred to Quebec District Number 1 Headquarters and appointed the District Chief Warrant Officer, which he held until the new 34 Canadian Brigade Group was stood up in April 1997, where he was subsequently employed as the school/standards CWO for the 34 Canadian Brigade Group School.

In January 1998, Mike was transferred to NDHQ where he reported to BGen. Quinn, Reserve Advisor to the Chief of the Land Staff. In this appointment, he was responsible for NCM training and related projects. In September 1999 he was transferred to Land Forces Doctrine and Training System HQ in Kingston and was responsible for issues relating to reserve NCM Career progression, individual training and course content with particular attention to leadership courses for reserves.

Mike was appointed the first Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer by the Chief of the Land Staff, LGen Leach on 1 July 2000, where he reported to BGen Herb Petras, Director General Land Reserve, regarding policies and related issues of concern for NCMs, in particular Class "A" reservists. Mike?s appointment as ARCWO saw him work on issues and concerns within Land Staff Headquarters in Ottawa as well as travelling across Canada to the four Land Force Areas. He was also a member of the Command Chief Warrant Officers group, which represents all formation CWO within the Canadian Army.

Mike answered the call to duty again and accepted an appointment as the Regimental Sergeant major of the Canadian Grenadier Guards in November 2004, serving until his retirement from the Canadian Forces in 2006.

Mike was married in Lahr Germany in 1976 to Patricia Houghton, and they have one child, Jamie Christopher Houghton Kelly.

In his spare time, Mike was involved with the Pointe Claire Amateur Soccer Association as a coach and manager for Jamie's house league team and the All-Star team. He also volunteered as a Scout Leader with the Valois United Group of Scouts Canada.

Tragically, Mike passed away on the morning of 16 August 2012 following a work-related accident.

Details to follow