Cpl C.J. "Chad" French, will retire from the Canadian Armed forces on 01 July 2017 after 8 plus years of loyal and dedicated service to the CAF, RCR and CME Branch, as an NCM (please see attached bio). A DWD will take place on 16 June 2017.  Congratulatory messages, anecdotes, photos and farewell wishes can be forwarded to Cpl Ripley, Thomas.Ripley@forces.gc.ca   Please send NLT Friday 02 June 2017.

Cpl French enrolled into the CAF in St. John’s NL on the 3rd of November 2008 as an infantryman.  In May 2009, he was posted to 2 RCR in Gagetown, NB on completion of basic training and QL3 training at the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) Battle School in Meaford, ON.  Where he served for 4 ½ years enrolled in various rifle company positions within Golf Company.

The highlight of Cpl French’s Short stay in 2 RCR was when he attended Operation RIMPAC in 2010.  A large global naval exercise employing various elements of militaries around the world. He spent 6 weeks on the island of Oahu Hawaii training with the marines and spent 2 weeks aboard the USS Bonne Homme Richard.  He understood swiftly that he would never join the navy.  Cpl French ultimately decided he would like to learn a new trade in the CAF and took the opportunity in the Special Voluntary Occupation Transfer Program and applied to be a Construction Technician in 2011.

Cpl French attended his QL3 Construction Technician course at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering from Sept 2012 – June 2013. His only posting as a Construction Engineer was to CFB Halifax as a Carpenter with the Naval Construction Troop.  Shortly after the creation of Real Property Operations Units across the country, the former Halifax NCT troop were dispersed to the various CE shops around CFB Halifax.  In November of 2015 Cpl French successfully attended and completed his QL5 Construction Technician Journeyman’s Course.

During the Christmas of 2016, Cpl French was offered an opportunity to become an Air Traffic Controller with NAV Canada in his hometown of Gander Newfoundland. He decided this was the right path for him and put in his release in January of 2017. Cpl French will continue to serve with the CAF with 91 CEF Construction Troop in Gander Newfoundland, alongside pursuing some entrepreneurship ideas.