After more than 32 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MWO Eric
Rousseau, CD will retire on 18 August 2017 (See bio attached). A Depart with Dignity Ceremony will take place on the 8 Sep 2017 at building A-4 Base
Gagetown from 1400hrs - 1600hrs. Attendees are requested to advise the OPI MWO Bill Lovely of their planned attendance NLT 30 July 2017. Anecdotes or retirement wishes may be sent to the OPI by email - William.Lovely@forces.gc.ca<
Master Warrant Officer Rousseau joined le Regiment du Saguenay in Chicoutimi, Quebec as an Infantryman the 4th of February 1985. He completed seven years with the reserves and completed many courses such as: Paratrooper, Jump-Master, Airborne Indoctrination course, and 81mm Mortar. During his time with the reserves, he deployed on two domestic operational tours in Goose Bay Labrador in 1990 and 1991. Master Warrant Officer Rousseau transferred to the Regular Force as a Combat Engineer in April of 1993.
Upon completion of his QL3 in September of 1993, Master Warrant Officer Rousseau was posted to 4 Engineer Support Regiment (4ESR) at CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick (NB) where he was employed for nine years. He was promoted the rank of Corporal in December 1995 and to Master Corporal in July of 1999. During his time with 4ESR he completed a variety of courses including Combat Diver and was employed in a wide variety of roles including mechanized and light engineer operations as a section member and as a section 2IC with the Field Troop and with the Resources Troop.
In July of 2001 he was posted to the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME) at CFB Gagetown NB where he worked with the Field Engineer Training Squadron as an Instructor with the Bridging Cell, Mine Warfare and Demolition Cell, and the Combat Training Section Cell. Master Warrant Officer Rousseau was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in July 2004 and was awarded the Cmdt’s Commendation for leadership and dedication. Following the promotion, he was employed as the Demolition Chief Instructor with Mine Warfare and Demolition Cell.
In July 2007 he was posted back to 4 ESR and was employed as 21 Field Troop Recce Sergeant. Promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer in July 2008, he assumed the Troop Warrant’s position in the same troop within 42 Field Squadron.
In July 2010 he was posted to the Combat Training Center’s Tactics School and was employed with the Counter Improvised Explosive Device Cell as an instructor on the Tactical Exploiter course.
Promoted to his present rank in July 2012, Master Warrant Officer Rousseau was posted to 5RGC in Valcartier Quebec and was employed as 51 Field Squadron Sergeant Major and 53 Light Specialist Squadron Sergeant Major.
In May 2014, he was posted back to CFSME and until today has been employed as the Assistant Explosives Technical Officer within Mine Warfare and Demolition Troop.
Over the course of his career Master Warrant Officer Rousseau has served on several domestic operations like the Red River flood in Manitoba in 1997, the Quebec ice storm in 1998 and the St John River flood in New Brunswick in 2008. He also completed four operational tours including Croatia in 1994, Bosnia in 1999, Eritrea in 2001 and Afghanistan in 2009. Master Warrant Officer Rousseau received the Chief of Defence Staff’s Commendation award for his outstanding professionalism as a mentor for the Afghan Engineers, and also received the Joint Task Force Afghanistan Commander’s Commendation award for outstanding engineer competency.
Master Warrant Officer Rousseau is retiring from the Canadian Forces after 32 years (combined) of loyal and dedicated service. He will remain in the area and take the time to care for his lovely and patient wife, Iona, of 26 years; his son Sebastien, and his daughter-in-law, Amy, who he is extremely proud of.