Colonel Ian Macintyre began his military career in 1954 with The Royal Canadian Army Cadets. Two years later, he enlisted as a Private with 2nd Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders and was subsequently promoted to Corporal, serving until 1960. During 1960-61, he served with the Canadian Officers Training Corps and rejoinined the Highlanders in 1966 as a Second-Lieutenant. During the next few years, he served as Platoon Commander, Adjutant and Officer Commanding “A” and “C” Companies. He was promoted to Major in 1974 and, in September, 1976, was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and appointed Commanding Officer of his Battalion.
In 1979, Colonel Macintyre was promoted to Colonel and appointed Commander of The Cape Breton Militia District. In June, 1984, he completed his tour as District Commander and was enrolled in Maritime Command’s, Regional Operations Reserve as Cape Breton Zone Liaison Officer. On June 15, 1986, Colonel Macintyre was re-appointed Commander of the Cape Breton Militia District and served in that capacity until 1990. In 1997, he was appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 35 (Sydney) Service Battalion and served in that capacity until 2005.
Colonel Macintyre was appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 2nd Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton) and served in that capacity until 2009. He was appointed Honorary Colonel of The Nova Scotia Highlanders and served until 2013. With the re-naming of The Cape Breton Highlanders on January 16, 2011, he served as its Honorary Colonel until 2014.
Colonel Macintyre is married to Mia LeGresley Macintyre and lives in Sydney River, NS. The Macintyres have three children: Ian, Colin and Chantal.