After more than 18 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Cpl Mark Smith, CD, will retire on 22 April 2024. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to MCpl D.R. Coulombe at Daniel.Coulombe@forces.gc.ca.
Cpl Mark Smith joined the Canadian Armed Forces in March 2006 as a Combat Engineer. He achieved the rank of Sgt and later changed trades to Construction Technician in 2017.
During his career, Cpl Smith deployed to the Panjwai district of Kandahar in Afghanistan, in 2009, Haiti for earthquake relief in 2010, and Kuwait on Op IMPACT in 2022.
Cpl Smith has been posted to BFC Valcartier, RPOD Gagetown, and 8 Wing Trenton. While serving with 5 RGC at BFC Valcartier, he participated in the High-Risk Search Team Member course with the British Army in the UK (2007) and the Sapper Leader Course with the US Army in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In 2021, while serving with RPOD Gagetown, Cpl Smith earned the Red Seal in carpentry.
In addition, eighteen years as a Regular Force member, Cpl Smith volunteered as a snare drummer with various military bands, including the Toronto Scottish, 400 THS, 5 CDSB Gagetown and 8 Wing Pipes and Drums. He has performed at multiple military functions and participated in military tattoos across Canada.
Upon retirement from the CAF, Cpl Smith intends to pursue woodworking and spend quality time with his wife, Sabrina, son, Owen and daughter, Emerysn. He also aspires to be selected to represent Team Canada at The Invictus Games in 2025.