Major Corneliu Chisu has recently announced his retirement from the Canadian Regular Force effective February 13, 2009. After a public service career spanning thirty six years, including nearly 19 years with the Canadian Military, Major Chisu has requested a transfer to the Cadet Instructor Cadre in Toronto where he will continue to reside with his wife Cecilia.

Major Chisu began his military career in 1972, as an Air Defence Radar Operations officer in Romania. Corneliu joined the Canadian Forces as a reservist in May 1990. Enrolled initially as a Private with 2 Field Engineer Regiment, he received his commission as a Field Engineer officer in April 1991. As a member of 2 FER, Corneliu commanded at the troop and squadron level and held a number of other staff positions within the unit. He was recognised by the unit as a respected mentor to new soldiers as he always enjoyed sharing his knowledge and experience with others. His superior performance on many career courses was no doubt facilitated by his uncanny familiarity with GENFORCE equipment and tactics.

In 2003, at the age of fifty-four, at a time of life when most others begin thinking of retirement, Corneliu began planning an extended career. His dedication and perseverance eventually led to a component transfer to the Regular Force in September 2003. In his five short years since that transfer; Corneliu has been extremely active having served 15 months on overseas deployments and endured three career postings. These postings have included positions as the 32 CBG G3 Plans, LFCATC Meaford Construction Engineering Officer and finally as 2 ASG Engineer in Petawawa. He deployed to Bosnia in 2004 where he assumed key roles as the Multinational Task Force (NorthWest) Task Force Engineer and later as the Technical Authority and Maintenance Engineer. Working within those multinational forces, his personal determination, technical expertise and knowledge of seven languages proved invaluable to mission success numerous times. In 2007, he deployed to Afghanistan as the ESU Requirements Officer providing infrastructure management support. He was promoted to his current rank in May 2008.

In addition to his military career, his public service has included positions as Senior Trade Analyst with the Italian Trade Commission and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Moldova. He was appointed by the Province of Ontario as a member of the Building Materials Evaluation Commission (BMEC) and of the College of Medical Radiation Technologists Ontario (CMRTO). He presently serves as the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) Councillor elect for the East Central Region.

In recognition of nearly 19 years of distinguished and dedicated service to the Canadian Forces, 2 ASG HQ and LFCAHQ are proud to host a retirement luncheon for Maj Corneliu Chisu at the Denison officer mess in ASU Toronto at 1200 hrs, 12 Feb 09. Dress for the occasion will be dress of the day or casual. Anyone seeking further information, wishing to forward anecdotes or best wishes or would like to attend this memorable event should contact Maj Peter Beck at 416-633-6200 ext 5803 or by email at peter.beck@forces.gc.ca