After more than 10 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Cpl D.D. Walsh will retire on 14 August 2026. Departure with Dignity (DWD) In keeping with the member's wishes, no formal DWD reception details will be shared. Those wishing to convey their congratulations, well wishes, or anecdotes may forward them to MWO J.T. Haire at: jeffrey.haire@forces.gc.ca. CHIMO!
Corporal Don Walsh has built a career defined by hard work, adaptability, and service to Canada. Don began his professional journey as a chef, spending 12 years in the culinary industry where he developed the discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills that would become the foundation of his future success. Seeking new opportunities and challenges, he transitioned into the marine manufacturing sector and worked for 10 years as an aluminum welder with MetalCraft Marine in Kingston, Ontario. During his time at MetalCraft Marine, Don contributed to the construction of specialized vessels including fire boats, military patrol craft, and high-speed boats for elite military organizations such as Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) and the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS). His work demanded exceptional craftsmanship, precision, and dedication to quality. At the age of 37, Don answered the call to serve his country and enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 2016 as a Combat Engineer. Throughout his military career, he participated in numerous domestic and international operations. He supported wildfire relief efforts in British Columbia, helping Canadians during a period of significant natural disaster. He later deployed to Latvia as part of Canada's NATO commitment, contributing to security operations supporting the development of NATO infrastructure and enhancing allied readiness in Eastern Europe. Driven by a desire to continue learning and expanding his skills, Don later transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Construction Technician. In this role, he applied his extensive trade experience to the maintenance, repair, and construction of military infrastructure, supporting operational readiness across the Canadian Armed Forces. Throughout his military service, Don earned a reputation as a dedicated tradesman, dependable teammate, and mentor to junior members. His diverse background in culinary arts, welding, engineering, and construction provided a unique perspective and a strong commitment to mission success. As he concludes his military career, Don is preparing to begin a new chapter as a civilian chef with the Department of National Defence. This transition brings his career full circle, allowing him to combine his passion for cooking with his continued support of the military community he proudly served.
Don's journey reflects a lifetime of commitment to excellence, whether in the kitchen, the shipyard, or while serving in uniform. His story is one of resilience, service, and dedication, and he looks forward to continuing to contribute to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces family in a civilian capacity.
************************************************ Après plus de 10 ans de service loyal et dévoué aux Forces armées canadiennes et à la Branche du Génie militaire canadien, le Cpl D.D. Walsh (00306) prendra sa retraite le 14 août 2026. Départ dans la dignité (DDD) Conformément aux souhaits du membre, les détails de la réception du DDD ne seront pas communiqués. Les personnes qui désirent transmettre leurs félicitations, leurs vœux ou des anecdotes sont invitées à les faire parvenir à l’Adjum J.T. Haire à l’adresse suivante : jeffrey.haire@forces.gc.ca. CHIMO!