After 7 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, Cpl Matthew Baxter will release on 01 November 2023. Congratulatory messages, well wishes, and anecdotes can be sent to Cpl M.M. Schurko at Michael.Schurko@forces.gc.ca.

Cpl Baxter enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve in 2016 as a Maritime Surface and Subsurface Officer at HMCS Brunswicker in Saint John, NB. During his time in the Royal Canadian Navy, he completed his first career course and participated in numerous small boat exercises and training sails on the east and west coasts.

In 2018, Cpl Baxter transferred components to the Regular Force as a Drafting and Survey Technician during the establishment of the trade. After completing QL5 at CFSME, he was posted to 1 ESU where he completed QL4 through a variety of projects and exercises as well as additional training.
 
Cpl Baxter continued to develop his skills on courses such as Winter Warfare and through trade-related professional development. In 2020, he became a First Aid Instructor and subsequently instructed at 1 ESU and assisted at various units across CFB Kingston.

Cpl Baxter was tasked on numerous exercises and operations including Ex NIHILO SAPPER, Op LASER, and Ex MAPLE RESOLVE as well as providing technical support to other operations across the world. Last year, he was selected to support the National Canadian Support Element for RIMPAC ’22 in Honolulu, HI.

Upon release, Cpl Baxter and his wife will return to his home province of New Brunswick where he will work in the field of geomatics and civil engineering. He is very much looking forward to the next chapter in life and the challenges that come with it.