On June 30 2008, WO Glen Poppe will be retiring after 22+ years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Forces.

WO Poppe enrolled in the CF at Vancouver, BC on March 6, 1986, departing for CFRC Cornwallis immediately. On May 30, 1986, Pte Poppe departed Cornwallis for the PPCLI Battle School in Wainwright, AB. Upon graduation, Pte Poppe was posted to 1PPCLI in Calgary, AB, transferring to 2PPCLI in Baden-Soellingen, Germany in August, 1987. He returned to Winnipeg, MB with the unit in June, 1988 and between December, 1988 – March 1989 and March – August 1990, Pte Poppe served in Cyprus with 2PPCLI and received promotion to Corporal on March 6, 1990.

On December 21, 1992, Cpl Poppe saw the light and joined the CME family by remustering to the Electrician trade, graduating his QL3 on July 20, 1993. He was posted back to Calgary, AB. On July 3, 1996, Cpl Poppe was posted to 1ACT 4ESR Edmonton. While there Cpl Poppe participated in the UNPROFOR mission while based at Coralici, Bosnia-Herzegovina from January 11 – July 17, 1997. He also participated in the UNMIBH mission at Visoko, Bosnia-Herzegovina from February 21 – September 6, 2000. On March 7, 2000, while on the UNMIBH mission, he was promoted to MCpl.

On March 30, 2001, MCpl Poppe finally joined the Air Force and returned to his BC roots with a posting to CFB Comox. While there, he participated in a number of deployments. December 2001 – July 2002, MCpl Poppe served with the SWASM mission in the Middle East. On January 1st, 2003 he was promoted to Sergeant. Following this was a tour in CFS Alert from June 15, 2004 – February 26, 2005. Shortly after his return from Alert, Sgt Poppe participated in a 29 day Theatre Support Element task in Kabul, Afghanistan from May 15 – June 13, 2005. On January 1st, 2006 Mr. Poppe was promoted to Warrant Officer, and immediately participated in another 52 day Theatre Support Element tasking in Kandahar, Afghanistan from January 4 – February 25, 2006.

In July 2006, WO Poppe was posted to CFB Esquimalt where he has served with exceptional dedication and exhibited commensurate skill in positions of responsibility well in excess of his rank of Warrant Officer. WO Poppe is releasing to accept a position in the public service as the senior CE representative at CFB Esquimalt’s detachment in Nanoose Bay. He shall be resuming residence with his family in the Comox area with an easy daily commute to work.

Anecdotes, well wishes and congratulatory messages and e-mails can be sent to the Branch Chief, CWO Earl Warbis, at Warbis.KE@forces.gc.ca. Or, they can be sent to Sgt Trent Miller, at Miller.TR@forces.gc.ca. All replies will be presented during a ceremony on a date to be determined at CFB Esquimalt.