After more than 37 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), CWO Andre Provost, CD, will retire 21 June 2019. Everyone is welcome to attend his DWD ceremony for lunch, which will take place on 21 June 2019, at 1100 hrs at the Juno Beach Mess in CFB Borden. Please confirm your participation to the OPI before 24 May 19, the cost for the lunch is $20 per person. Anecdotes or retirement wishes may be sent to the OPI by e-mail. OPI:  WO Yves Lacasse, email at Yves.La casse@forces.gc.ca or by phone at 705-424-7772.

Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) André Provost was born in Montréal PQ and enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in September 1981 as an infantryman.

Completing his BMQ in St-Jean and initial trade training (DP1 infantry course) in Valcartier, he was posted to the 2^nd Battalion, Royal 22^nd Regiment in La Citadelle, Québec. At the Regiment, he participated in several training exercises and perfected his craftsmanship as an infantryman by completing numerous courses. He was also a member of the “La garde en rouge”. In July1984, he was posted to Lahr, Germany with the 1^st Battalion, Royal 22^nd Regiment. In October1985, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

During his 4 years in Germany (1984-1988), CWO Provost continued to partake in multiple training exercises throughout Europe while pursuing opportunities for self-development i.e. trade & career courses. In July 1988, he decided it was time for a change, he remustered to Firefighter. He was posted to CFB Uplands in Ottawa as he waited for his QL3. In Aug 1988, he attended Firefighter QL3 in Borden and was officially posted to CFB Uplands. During his time in Ottawa, CWO Provost completed his QL4, Journeyman course (QL5) and a number of trade courses. He was also a member of the Extrication Team for three years representing the Base throughout the province of Ontario.

In 1994, he was posted to MARPAC HQ Manning List in Esquimalt, BC to experience the “Navy life”. He sailed and served on numerous ships such as HMCS Annapolis, Algonquin and Calgary and in 1996 was posted to HMCS Calgary. In 1997 after serving with the Navy for three years, it was time for another move to “La belle province” 3 Wing Bagotville. In 2001, he was promoted to MCpl and assumed the position of Crew Chief. In June 2002, he was posted for a second time with the Navy on the HMCS Toronto in Halifax, NS. After a short period on board the HMCS Toronto, he was posted to the HMCS Ville de Québec. In 2003, CWO Provost was promoted to the rank of Sgt and remained on the HMCS Ville de Québec as the Senior Firefighter.

In Nov 2003, he was posted to 12 Wing Shearwater as a Platoon Chief. With only a short time on crew, in July 2004 he moved to the position of Chief Fire Inspector. In 2005, it was time to move again and he was posted to 8 Wing Trenton as Deputy Platoon Chief. From October 2005 to April 2006, he completed a tour at CFS Alert as Station Fire Chief. In June 2006, he was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer assuming the position of Platoon Chief. In March 2008, he was posted to CFFCA, CFB Borden as a Flight Warrant. In Dec 2010, he was promoted the rank of MWO and assumed the position of Squadron MWO in Apr 2011. In June 2014, he was promoted to his current rank of Chief Warrant Officer and posted to DGMC in Ottawa assuming the position of Career Manager for Firefighter & Geo Tech. In 2016, he was selected and back at CFFCA as the Canadian Forces and Fire CBRN Academy Chief Warrant Officer.

CWO Provost has 2 daughters, Brittany and Sabrynna who resides in Ottawa. He looks forward to his retirement in the Ottawa/Gatineau area and what the future holds down the road and spending time with companion Marie-Pascale Rousseau. His interests include outdoor sports and travelling.  ^zkrp