After more than 21 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Cpl R.D. Poitras, CD, will retire on 3 March 2025. A DwD reception will be held later in April. For details, please contact to WO A.J. Martin at: anson.martin@forces.gc.ca. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person.

After 21+ years of loyal, dedicated service to the Country as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Cpl Poitras has decided to retire. Well, not really as he intends on continuing work in a new field, just wearing boots and fatigues.

Cpl Poitras joined the Military in 2003 and became a part of the Canadian Joint Signals Regiment. CFB Kingston was his first posting where he remained until 2013. During that time he completed QL5 Signal Operator, and PLQ courses obtaining professional competence. After the decade long posting to JSR, he was posted to CFB Petawawa with 1 RCR. One years later, he made the best career decision and remastered into the Canadian Engineers Branch to commence training as an Electrical Distribution Tech. After working as an OJE electrical tradesperson awaiting training, he completed QL3 ED Tech training at CFSME CFB Gagetown. Afterwards he was posted to RPOU (O) Det Petawawa where he remained and worked in the Electrical, Line, and Ops and Trg Sections until his retirement on March the 3^rd, 2025.

Throughout his career, Cpl Poitras was involved with many Training Exercises, Operations, and a variety of taskings. Some highlights of his career included 2007, TF Afghanistan roto 4, again in 2010, TF Afghanistan roto 10 where he held positions with a Central Command. He has worked with the Military all throughout Canada but has found to call CFB Petawawa home. Cpl Poitras has proven to be a dedicated and loyal soldier taking on any challenge with an enduring professional attitude.
After military life, he plans to continue working somewhere in the Cyber Technology field. Cpl Poitras’s time will continue to be filled as he coaches hockey and is involved in other community activities. Thanks to Cpl Poitras for his service and best wishes on his future endeavours. He plans on the enjoyment of spending more time with his spouse Miranda and beautiful family.