CWO Mike Smith, CD will be retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces on 4 July 2017 after more than 38 years of loyal and dedicated service to the CAF and the CME Branch (please see attached bio).
At the request of CWO Smith there will be an informal DWD ceremony at Ralph & Son’s in Ottawa on 5 May 17, by invitation only. Friends and colleagues are encouraged to send congratulatory msgs, anecdotes, best wishes, stories or pictures by email to CWO Gilles Caouette .
CWO Mike Smith will be retiring from the Canadian Forces on 04 Jul 2017 after more than 38 plus years of distinguished, loyal and dedicated service. Mike joined the CF on 16 May 1977 and was soon off to CFB Cornwallis for Basic Training before heading west for Wainwright and the joys of Battle School. After successfully completing his training in Wainwright young Pte Smith was on his way towards the bright lights and big city of Calgary in Dec of 1977 to serve among the ranks of 1 PPCLI. Mike remained in Calgary until Jun of 1980 where he decided to take a sabbatical from the military till his return Feb of 1982.
Upon his reentry he found himself posted to Victoria 3 PPCLI. Staying in Victoria till 1984 where he was send east to CFB Gagetown deployed at the Infantry school causing havoc with junior officers in all phases. Once his hitch was completed in New Brunswick he found himself posted back to 3 PPCLI and deployed to Cyprus. While deployed Cpl Smith learned of his impending remuster to Fire Fighter and proceeded on his QL3 course in Jan 1989.Once the QL3 were completed Mike was posted to CFB Edmonton. July of 1992 brought a sea tour and Mike could be found onboard the HMCS Provider, in 1995 once again he was posted to CFB Edmonton as a MCPL.
In 1999 he was promoted to Sgt. In Jul 2002 saw Sgt Smith headed back to CFB Esquimalt as the senior fire fighter onboard the HMCS Vancouver till 2006. A final posting to CFB Edmonton Fire Service followed his time at sea where he was promoted to WO and started training for a tour in Afghanistan. In August of 2008 Mike was selected to carry out the duties of Task Force Fire Marshall stationed in Kandahar, this was a very rewarding and successful deployment. In Jul 09 upon returning he was promoted to MWO and posted to Ottawa to DGME and attached to the Vancouver Olympics for 7 months as the Fire Marshal, once that was completed he was assigned to North Warning Systems carrying out inspections along the top of Canada at various Radar stations.
In Jul 2011 MWO Smith headed east this time to face the challenges associated with being the east coast senior fire fighter in Sea Training Atlantic. Jul 2016 following Sea Training Mike was promoted to CWO and posted to Ottawa as the Career Manager for Firefighters and Geo techs. Jul 2017 CWO Mike Smith finally called it a career and is retiring. Mike and his wife Sharon will be retiring in Halifax area where he intends to spend his time enjoying his life with his wife and days on the lake with his family. Mike will be commencing his retirement leave on 19 May 2017 with a release date of 04 Jul 2017.