After more than 6 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Cpl I. Karassev, (00339) will be released on 12 February 2025. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to Capt Ho at: Kyle.Ho@forces.gc.ca

Cpl Ilya Karassev was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Growing up hearing stories about his great grandfather serving in the armed forces, Ilya was deeply influenced by his dedication and commitment to the country. Inspired by his example, he aspired to follow in his great grandfather’s footsteps and serve his nation.

After graduating from high school, Ilya enrolled in the army as a Combat Engineer on January 30, 2019. His career began with challenges, but he faced them with resilience and determination. After completing his training, he was posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) on February 10, 2020. Unfortunately, soon after, Ilya sustained a career-ending injury that prohibited him from running.

Despite this setback, Ilya pursued his goal of becoming an Armoured Engineer Operator. Although he was medically removed halfway through the course, he did not let this discourage him. Instead, he continued to contribute significantly to the 1 CER by taking on the role of Central Registry Clerk. In this position, he quickly adapted to complex administrative procedures and assisted the Chief Clerk in managing the high administrative demands.

After a couple of years in the Central Registry Office, Cpl Karassev was employed as the Regimental Training NCM, where he assisted the Operations Warrant Officer with scheduling and booking training for the Squadrons. His adaptability and dedication were evident in every role he undertook.

One of Cpl Karassev's notable contributions was his involvement in establishing the 1 CER grappling team after the COVID-19 pandemic. As the head coach, he prepared the team for competitions, leading them to success and earning the Coach of the Year Award from the PSP in 2023.

After six years of dedicated service, Cpl Karassev earned the respect and admiration of his peers and chain of command. He will be release on February 12, 2025, and return to Saskatoon. Looking ahead, Ilya enrolls in the fall for industrial mechanics and embark on a new career in the industrial industry.

Thank you for your service, Cpl Karassev. Your dedication and resilience have left a lasting impact on the 1 Combat Engineer Regiment and the broader military community.