Interview with Commander Robert (Bob) Klein
Narrator: Commander Robert (Bob) Klein Interviewer: John Thomson Interview Date and Location: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 - Porters Lake, Nova Scotia via ZOOM Synopsis of the Interview: Born in Windsor, Ontario to Austrian parents who emigrated following World War II. Graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Windsor and then decided to enter the military because he had heard many stories about his father, who had been conscripted into the German Army near the end of the war, and because he didn’t want a career sitting behind a desk. Initial Officer Training involved learning basic military skills and culture for thirteen weeks at CFB Chilliwack, B.C. Klein always wanted to be a diver, especially a Clearance Diver because he loved being underwater and because it was a challenging profession. The Clearance Diver pre- screening course was difficult and exhausting. Qualified Clearance Divers basically manage diving operations. Everyday tasks consist of professional development, budgeting, and a lot of paperwork involving planning, career evaluations, and projects. Clearance Divers assist other branches of the CAF based upon need including EOD in Afghanistan. Klein completed an exchange with the U.S. military at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for IED training. He underwent a potentially life-threatening malfunction of his diving gear while on exchange with the Royal Navy and he was involved with the Swiss Air 111 disaster off of Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia as an advisor to the Admiral. Interview Time Log: 00:55 – 06:04 – Life before joining the military. 06:05 – 08:25 – Initial Training. 08:27 – 09:30 – Inspiration for becoming a Maritime Surface/Sub-surface Officer (MARS). 09:31 – 12:19 – Motivation for becoming a Clearance Diver. 12:23 – 16:35 – Arduous Pre-Screening Course. 16:40 – 18:00 – Responsibilities of a qualified Clearance Diver. 18:01 – 22:36 – Routine, everyday tasks of a Clearance Diver. 22:38 – 26:23 – How Clearance Divers assist other branches of the CAF. 26:29 – 28:33 – Exchange to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. 28:38 – 36:58 – Dive that went badly while on exchange with the Royal Navy. 37:13 – 40:35 – Involvement with Swiss Air 111 disaster, Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. 40:39 – 48:16 – Highlights of a twenty-eight-year career as a Clearance Diver. Significant Stand Outs in the Interview: Initial Training at CFB Chilliwack, B.C. Pre-screening course before entering Clearance Diver Training. Routine, everyday tasks of a Clearance Diver. How Clearance Divers assist other branches of the CAF. Exchange with the U.S. military, Eglin Air Force Base, for IED training. Involvement with the Swiss Air 111 disaster, Peggy’s Cove, N.S. Career Highlights.
- In Collection:
- Interview #SC141_KR_923
- 00:49:26
- A Brief History of Royal Canadian Navy Clearance Divers
- 45.00015, -62.99865
- 33, 66
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Accession Number: 2025-002; Series 7; Item: 923
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2024. Recorded in digital format by interviewer. Keywords supplied by interviewer. Metadata by KD.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI