Cpl Strickland was born in Port-Aux Basques Newfoundland and enrolled into the CF at the age of 18 as a Naval Acoustic tech in Corner Brook, NL in September of 1988. He arrived at Cornwallis, N.S. on the 08 Sept 88 and continued on that winter to CFB Esquimalt BC for training. After his QL 3 course he was posted to HMCS Gatineau and HMCS Fraser in Halifax. After 5 years of many foreign ports he went on his Technician course and made the decision to sail onboard submarines.

Serving for 9 years at the Submarine Squadron in Halifax he had the privilege of sailing on all Oberon Class submarines and proceeded to England for 28 months to bring home HMCS Windsor. He decided it was time for a change in 2003 and remustered to Firefighter and proceeded to CFB Borden for another QL 3 course. Upon successful completion of his course, he was posted to CFB Greenwood in December 03.

Over the past 20 years Rob sailed on 2 NATO’s ,was involved in a SAR’s mission off N.S. and was deployed to help his fellow Canadians during the floods in Winnipeg. On 20 March 2009 Cpl Strickland will retire from the CF with 20 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Queen and Country. Rob placed his family first and has accepted a position in the public service as a Firefighter at CFB Gagetown. Rob, Maud, Didi and Jesse will be residing in the Fredericton area in the summer.

Congratulations, anecdotes, embarrassing stories and plain old best wishes can be forwarded to Sgt Francoeur at LAWRENCE.FRANCOEUR@forces.gc.ca or FAX to 902-765-1781