Colonel O'Brien is a retired officer of the Canadian Forces who served in Germany, the Middle East and across Canada. He has served as Chairman of the Board for the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping, consulting for numerous directors, chapter presidents and national presidents. He has represented Veterans and their families at ceremonies and meetings with the Department of National Defence, Veterans Affairs Canada and other Veterans associations. Mr. O'Brien has been the primary Peacekeeping representative at national ceremonies and celebrations in Ottawa. In 2006, he managed a project for the United Nations Association of Canada, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of peacekeeping forces. Mr. O'Brien was instrumental in arranging for the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping to adopt the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre as its charity of choice.