After more than 42 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Maj Peter McRae, CD, will retire on 17 January 2024. No DwD ceremony will be held. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent directly to Maj P.A. McRae at Peter.McRae@forces.gc.ca or buddymcfella@gmail.com.
Major Peter McRae joined the Primary Reserves in Saint John New Brunswick in 1981 as a non-commissioned Military Police member of 31 Service Battalion. In 1985, the Youth Training and Employment Program (YTEP) brought him to the Royal Canadian Navy as a Naval Electronics Technician-Acoustic after which he transferred to the Regular Force in the same trade.
Having tasted some of what the world had to offer as a sailor while serving on HMCS IROQUOIS, HMCS RESTIGOUCHE, NCSM ALGONQUIN, and some shore postings, MS McRae took advantage of the University Training Plan for Non- Commissioned Members (UTPNCM) to become a Civil
Engineer in 1999 and joined the esteemed ranks of the Military Engineers.
The joy of training in both Chilliwack and Gagetown and serving at CFSME and 4 ESR was an excellent start, but the road less travelled beckoned. After completing a Master of Engineering (Geomatics) in 2006, Capt McRae joined the ranks of Geo Officers at MCE and its higher staff in D GEOINT. After a brief return to CFSME, Maj McRae returned to MCE. He then moved on to positions in Chief of Defence Intelligence/Director General Intelligence Policy and Partnerships/ GEOINT Policy and Partnerships where he will end his uniformed career on 17 Jan 2024 as an Acting While So Employed LCol.
Following the Engineer creed of command at every level, Peter was Troop Commander twice and Squadron Commander three times as an Engineer. During his career, he has been some places, seen some things, and done some stuff.
He has been loved and buoyed along by his very supportive family, who all maintained busy and complete lives of their own. His spouse, Laurie, and children, Megan and Lexi, were crucial in Peter’s ability to follow his passions without being absolutely crushed by latent frustrations and disenchantments. Everyone hopes he will be less grumpy after retirement from the CAF.
After more than 42 years of uniformed service where he served in the Primary Reserve and Regular Force, and in the RCN and CA, Peter will complete the circle of service (double trifecta) by assuming a Public Servant role with the RCAF.