People of Georgian: Flying forward – Geoff Wall helps Military-Connected students take off

Nov. 10, 2025

People of Georgian is a storytelling series that highlights the inspiring students, staff, and faculty who make up our college community. With Remembrance Day approaching, I sat down with Geoff Wall, Georgian’s Military Connected coordinator, to talk about his decades-long aviation career, his time in military service, and how he’s now supporting others with military ties as they begin their own journeys at Georgian.

Here’s Geoff’s story, in his own words.

I’ve always wanted to fly.

Growing up in Barrie, I started flying at the Barrie Flying Club while I was still in high school. I earned my private pilot’s licence before graduation, and when it came time to choose a path, I applied both to university and the military. The military accepted me into the Officer Cadet Training Program, straight out of high school and into service.

They told me I’d be flying fighter jets before long, and that was all the motivation I needed to sign up.

After basic training, French language courses and survival training, I began flight school in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. I trained there and later in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, eventually earning my wings in the summer of 1990 as a helicopter pilot. My first posting brought me back to Moose Jaw with Base Rescue Flight, a small search and rescue unit responsible for responding to on-base emergencies during flight training.

I was fortunate to experience a lot during those years. We worked closely with Cold Lake, Alberta, supplementing their rescue squadron when they needed extra pilots. That gave me the chance to fly in an F-18, an F-5 and even a T-33, not as the pilot in command, but as a very excited passenger.

After three years, I was posted to Halifax to fly Sea Kings off the backs of Navy ships, four years of operations at sea followed by another year instructing the next generation of Sea King pilots. By then, I felt ready to take on a new challenge and explore the next chapter in my life.

A new horizon

That next chapter started in 1998, when Air Canada hired me as a pilot. I still remember thinking there was no way I’d get the job, but I took the chance and it led to a 25-year career. I flew DC-9s, Airbus 320s, Embraers, 767s, 787s and retired off the Boeing 777.

While I loved flying, I also got deeply involved in union work. I’ve always believed in helping people navigate systems that can feel overwhelming, and in many ways that work was about connection and trust. I like to say I became a “conduit,” someone who might not have all the answers but knows who does, and makes sure people get the support they need.

When I finally decided to retire after 35 years of flying, I didn’t expect to find myself at Georgian College. I was browsing job postings and came across a position supporting military-connected students. It immediately caught my attention. Over the years, I’d seen friends and their families navigate the transition from military life to postsecondary education, and I realized how valuable strong support could be during that time.

Becoming part of Team Georgian

That’s how I ended up here. I started in the summer of 2025, and right away Georgian felt like family. The staff have been incredibly supportive, and I’ve already had the chance to connect with students who share that unique bond of military service.

The military-connected community at Georgian exists for anyone who’s part of Canada’s military family. That includes active members, veterans, and their spouses and children. My role is to help make their transition to college life as smooth as possible, whether that’s answering questions about applications, connecting them to services, or just being someone to talk to who understands where they’re coming from.

I’m also passionate about helping former service members receive proper recognition for the experience and skills they’ve gained in the military. It should be easier for them to transfer that knowledge into college credits; these are skilled, disciplined individuals with a lot to contribute, and I want to help make that process more accessible.

With Remembrance Day here, it’s hard not to think about the people and moments that shaped my journey. I was fortunate to have an incredible experience in the military and to work alongside dedicated, talented people who made a lasting impact on my life.

Coming to college as a mature student can be intimidating, especially after years in a system where learning is structured and precise. Here, learning is self-directed and open-ended. Both demand discipline, just in different ways.

That’s why my door is always open. I’m in the office Monday to Thursday, and anyone – students, staff or even prospective students with military backgrounds – can stop by if they’re uncertain, need help or just want to talk. We can exchange contact info and keep in touch anytime. Support is the backbone of success, and no one should have to navigate the transition alone.

I never imagined I’d end up working at Georgian College, but it feels like I’ve landed exactly where I’m meant to be. After years of flying around the world, it’s good to be grounded in a place where I can help others take off in their own way.

If you’d like to reach out to Geoff, you can reach him at Geoff.wall@georgiancollege.ca or at militaryconnected@georgiancollege.ca.

To learn more about and show support for the Canadian Armed Forces:

• Visit the CAF website.

• Build your understanding of how to support military-connected students and colleagues, by checking out this fantastic list of resources and knowledge modules.