After almost 14 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, Cpl Eric Parsons, CD, will retire on 19 April 2022. RPOU(A) Halifax are planning a DWD celebration for multiple CAF members in spring or summer 2022, when COVID restrictions allow. Congratulatory messages and best wishes can be sent to WO D.A. Keirstead at David.Keirstead@forces.gc.ca.

Cpl Eric Parsons joined the Canadian Armed Forces in June 2008 at the age of 17, enlisting at CFRC Detachment Corner Brook, Newfoundland. He attended BMQ in July 2008 in Saint-Jean-surRichelieu and after graduation, was posted to CFB Gagetown to await further training. Cpl Parsons completed Electrical Generating Systems QL3 in July 2009 at CFSME and was then posted to CFB Gander, Newfoundland, to complete OJT.

While in Gander, Cpl Parsons was tasked to Inuvik, NWT, for three months as part of the three-person crew maintaining the arrestor gear for landing aircraft. Being the only EGS Tech in Inuvik at the time, he also maintained the stand-by generator for the barracks. Cpl Parsons was then chosen to accompany 42 Radar Squadron for two months in Florida, where the Squadron would set up their full remote Forward Observation Base (FOB). He led a recce vehicle during the 7-day convoy from CFB Cold Lake to Jacksonville. As the only EGS Tech once again, he set up and ran all power for the FOB, which included a 300-kilowatt generator.

Having made the most of his OJT in Gander, Cpl Parsons requested an occupational transfer to Electrical Distribution Technician. He was back at CFSME in January 2015, completing the ED Tech QL3 course by July 2015. He was then posted to Real Property Operations in Halifax to complete ED OJT. Having completed this OJT by 2018, Cpl Parsons was working in all areas of RPOU(A) Halifax, giving him a knowledge and understanding of naval and air force infrastructure.

Cpl Parsons was back at CFSME again in September 2019 for the ED Tech DP2, which he completed in March 2020. He also obtained his Interprovincial Red Seal as a Construction Electrician. Upon returning to RPOU(A) in Halifax, he began mentoring two ED Tech apprentices while still completing work requests.

Throughout his journey with the Canadian Armed Forces, Cpl Parsons has had the support of his wonderful spouse and two children. After almost 14 years of service, Cpl Parsons has accepted an electrician position with RPOU(A) working at the Halifax Naval Dockyard.