Après plus de 35+ années de bons et loyaux services au sein des Forces armées canadiennes et de la Branche du Génie militaire canadien, l’AdjuM Denis Patenaude, CD, prendra sa retraite le 9 Mars 2020. Une cérémonie de départ dans la dignité aura lieu le vendredi, 26 juillet 2019 au restaurent Lone Star sur Hunt Club à Ottawa, à 1300 hrs. Prière de confirmer votre présence au BPR, Mr. Pierre Marcotte, avant le 19 juillet 2019. Anecdotes et bons vœux de départ peuvent être expédiés à Pierre Marcotte (pierre.marcotte2@forces.gc.ca).

MWO Patenaude joined the military in January 1985 as a Reservist at 3 Field Engineer Regiment in Westmont, Quebec. He attended his Combat Engineer section member course (TQ3A) during that summer in Valcartier. He completed successfully his Combat Engineer section 2 IC course (TQ5A) in 1986, his Combat Leader Course (CLC) in 1988, and his Combat Engineer section commander and reconnaissance (recce) Sergeant (Sgt) course (TQ6A) in Chilliwack in 1989. MWO Patenaude deployed on his first mission, OP DECIMAL in Pakistan, in 1990, as a Master Corporal (MCpl), where he was teaching the Afghan refugees how to conduct demining operations.  In 1992, he was promoted to the rank of Sgt. MWO Patenaude deployed on a second mission in 1995, OP HARMONIE in Croatia, as Resource Troop Sgt.  Shortly after his return from the former Yugoslavia mission, he was employed as an instructor in the Mine Warfare and Demolition (MWD) cell, at Canadian Forces School Military Engineers (CFSME), then located in Chilliwack, for six months in 1996.    

In July of the same year, MWO Patenaude transferred to the Regular Forces, as the rank of Corporal, and was posted to 5ième Regiment Génie de Combat (5 RGC), as a section member with 51 Field Squadron (sqn).  He once again completed his Combat Leader course in 1996, in Valcartier, and was promoted to the rank of MCpl in 1998.  MWO Patenaude deployed abroad in 1999-2000, this time to the Former Yugoslavia, on the NATO mission Op Palladium.  He completed his Combat Engineer Section commander course in 2001 and was promoted to the rank of Sgt the same year. In 2001, MWO Patenaude completed successfully the course that would define his military career, namely the Advance Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) course in Florida. Upon return from his EOD course, he was employed as the Recce Sgt for 51 Field Sqn. In 2004, he deployed oversee as an EOD Section Commander on the Op Athena mission in Kabul, Afghanistan.  He went on to complete his Combat Engineer Troop Warrant Officer (WO) course, in Gagetown, in 2005. In the same year, he obtained another career defining qualification in completing the Improvised Explosive Devise Disposal (IEDD) course, held in CFB Borden. MWO Patenaude completed his Intermediate Leadership Qualification (ILQ) in 2006 and was promoted the same year. The following year, he was awarded the Command Commendation 1st award as a result of his leadership during the construction of a bridge at Valcartier over the Rivière aux Pin. Still in 2006, he was employed as the EOD Troop WO with 52 Field Sqn.  MWO Patenaude deployed on his final mission in 2008, with the Joint Task Force Afghanistan National Command Element in Kandahar, Afghanistan, as the EOD Troop WO.   

Following his return from mission, MWO Patenaude was posted to the Canadian Special Operation Regiment (CSOR) in Petawawa, as the Master Breacher. In 2009, he attended and completed successfully the NATO Advanced IEDD course, in the United Kingdom.  He was posted to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2 CER), in Petawawa in 2011, and was employed as the 25 Squadron Quarter Master (SQMS). Newly promoted to the rank of Master Warrant Officer (MWO) in 2012, he assisted in erecting the new 26 Counter IED Sqn, as it’s Sergeant-Major (SM), and took on the role of Regimental Headquarter SM in 2015.  He was posted to Ottawa under Director General Land Equipment Program Management (DGLEPM) in 2016 as the Life Cycle Material Manager (LCMM) for EOD equipment.   

MWO Patenaude and his common-law wife Karen have been together 10+ years, having five children between them; Roxane (28), Hilary (27), Francis (26), Zachary (deceased 2018 at the age of 24), Jacob (20), as well as two grandchildren, Emery (7) and Maïlie (3).  

MWO Patenaude will retire in Beachburg, Ontario, where he plans to enjoy a well-deserved retirement by camping at Black Bear Beach and adding a lot more mileage on the trike.