Return to Afghanistan

In 2009, after he demonstrated his ability to accomplish his tasks as an infantry officer, he was promoted to captain and joined the Task Force Kandahar Headquarters as a Brigade staff in preparation for deployment. When his return to Afghanistan was announced in September 2009, it grabbed media attention and Mailloux as a known injured soldier returning to the battlefield made an appearance on the talk show Canada AM, the Quebec show Dumont 360, the cover of Le Soleil newspaper, CBC Newsworld,^[12] the Los Angeles Times.^[13] Mailloux is also quoted in General Rick Hillier's book, A Soldier First, as a "young wounded lieutenant that asked if he could return with his comrades". Mailloux was heralded by a Winnipeg Free Press editorial as an example that a serious injury is not stopping a soldier from serving its country and that more place should be made for them.^[14]

The decision by the Canadian Armed Forces to send Mailloux back in Afghanistan was controversial, and while a positive sign of acceptance, a second injury or death would have been difficult for the Army. On 9 November 2009, shortly before departing for his tour, Mailloux was among the 46 first recipients of the Sacrifice Medal awarded at Rideau Hall by the Governor General of Canada.^[15] His deployment coincided with the surge in American troops ordered by President Obama to try to accomplish the same objective than in Iraq in suppressing the insurgency. Mailloux completed his deployment after nine months, but was followed by other injured soldiers in Canada and from other NATO countries.^[16]

Post-Afghanistan years

Upon his return from Afghanistan, he attended the University of Glasgow for a year before returning to Ottawa to work as a staff with the Counter-IED Task Force and help prevent further injuries like his.^[17] On 6 February 2012, Mailloux among other deserving Canadians was awarded one of the first 60 diamond jubilee medal recognizing "his leadership within the Canadian Forces and his efforts to help the soldiers injured during the war in Afghanistan"^[18] which were given by the Governor General and the Prime Minister of Canada. Mailloux participated in the 2012 Army Run taking place in Ottawa, Canada and won first place of the 5 km run in the Amputee category. The prize was awarded by Peter Devlin, Commander of the Canadian Army.^[19]

In 2013 he was sent back to Quebec city to serve in the 1st battalion Royal 22e Régiment as a company second in command. The Prime Minister of Canada announced a National Day of Honour to be held across Canada on the 9 May 2014. This celebration was to mark the end of the mission in Afghanistan and the ceremony on Parliament Hill, presented live on all major news channels, was to be Emceed by Rick Hansen, Honorary Colonel, and a representative from the Canadian Forces. On 6 May 2014, the Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Mailloux would be the second emcee for this national event. Harper mentioned that "Captain Mailloux’s unwavering commitment to duty, country and fellow Canadian Armed Forces Veterans has earned him tremendous respect and admiration among military personnel and across Canada. His true grit, strength, sacrifice and dedication are inspirational and serve to remind us all of the fortitude required to serve as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces."^[20]

Invictus Games and continuing career

Over the following years, Mailloux filled different positions in the battalion until he was promoted to major in 2017 and assumed command of A Company 1st battalion Royal 22e Régiment.^[3] In October 2016, Mailloux was presented as co-captain for Team Canada for the 2017 [Invictus Games] to be held in Toronto, Canada, in September 2017.^[21] The [Invictus Games] were launched by HRH Prince Harry in 2014 as the only international adaptive sporting event for wounded, ill, and injured active duty and veteran service members. In parallel to his company command, Mailloux led with co-captain Natasha Dupuis a team of 90 Canadian athletes from across Canada and lit the torch during the opening ceremony for the Games at the Air Canada centre accompanied by his family and Dupuis.

Lighting of the torch to open the 2017 Invictus Games

Mailloux had been competing in the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida and at that time, he commented that Prince Harry's contribution was particularly meaningful because of his service. "For us, he's the best patron," he said. "He's also a brother in arms. He's been there with us. He understands what we've been through."^[22] In 2018, Mailloux capped a year-long training with exercise maple resolve which are manoeuvres where "the Van Doos were put through their paces in order to successfully achieve ‘high readiness’ status, enabling them to deploy anywhere in the world at a moment's notice."^[23] Mailloux subsequently deployed to Ukraine under operation Unifier which aimed to train and help the Ukrainian Armed Forces to confront separatist forces supported by Russia.^[24]

While he left the battalion with a completed tour where he received a commendation from the Commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command,^[25] in 2019 Mailloux was sent to the Canadian Forces College in Toronto to complete the Joint Command and Staff Programme.^[26] He accomplished different staff appointments before being promoted to lieutenant-colonel in 2021. He is currently employed as an action officer with the Joint Staff in Washington D.C.^[25]