Greg Tanner, an emerging author, has made his mark in the literary world with his first autobiography, First in; Last Out. Born in Brockville, Ontario, Greg’s early life took him across Canada, with significant time spent in Montreal and Halifax. After completing his high school education in Halifax, Greg started his military career, enlisting in the Canadian Army’s Engineering Branch. His service spanned 23 years, with postings all over Canada and beyond, including a four-year tour in Germany and multiple UN/NATO missions overseas. After leaving the regular forces, Greg joined the Canadian Air Force Reserves, where he completed 34 years of dedicated service, and received the prestigious Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Beyond his military career, Greg developed a deep love for adventure. He spent over 20 years teaching scuba diving before transitioning to boating in the late 1990s, a hobby that brought him new friendships and fresh experiences. He actively contributed to the Canadian Power Squadron, where he taught boating courses, and served in various leadership roles, which included Commodore of the CFB Trenton Yacht Club.
After his retirement, Greg and his wife Margret traveled extensively, exploring Australia, the Maritimes, and Florida, while spending their summers aboard their Mainship trawler, Tapped Out, with their beloved Shih Tzu, Zoey, by their side. Despite the joys of retirement, Greg’s post-military life wasn’t without its struggles. His autobiography sheds light on the challenges he faced after his release from service, particularly his battles with pain, depression, and PTSD.
The turning point in Greg’s life came in November 2022, when he was paired with Barrett, a Labrador retriever service dog, through the Paws Fur Thought organization. This partnership led to two years of positive reintegration into civilian life. However, their progress was nearly derailed by a traumatic dog attack that severely impacted Greg’s mental health, pushing him to the brink once again. His memoir First in; Last Out documents this rollercoaster journey, and focuses on the strength needed to rebuild his life after service.
When asked why he chose to write about his experiences, Greg explained that what began as a personal journal evolved into something more. He shared, “This is more for me, my journal, thought collecting and writing in a format that will, if it makes sense to me, might for others.” Greg’s story aims to resonate with fellow veterans and anyone who has faced unexpected life challenges, offering hope and a voice to those navigating similar struggles.”
Through First in; Last Out, Greg Tanner emerges as a military veteran and a storyteller determined to share his journey with the world. The book is available now for purchase on Amazon.
