WO Eric Critchley will retire from the Canadian Forces 26 April 2011 following 28 years of loyal and dedicated service to his country.
He enrolled in the Canadian Forces in Corner Brook NL as a Bosn on 14 Aug 1980. After having survived his Recruit Training Course, he was posted to CFB Halifax where he completed his Sea Environmental Training and Bosun Trade Level 3 training before being assigned to HMCS Huron. On Aug 26 1981, he released from the CF to further his education back home in NL.
On 19 April 1984 he returned once again to Corner Brook where he signed the Canadian Forces Oath of Allegiance and by 20 April he was in Petawawa at the RCR Battle School. On completion of his TQ3 Infantryman Course he was posted to 3BN Royal Canadian Regiment, Winnipeg MB. During his 4 years with the 3BN RCR he saw all the wonderful sites that the Prairie Provinces have to offer : Shilo, Dundurn, Suffield and wonderful Wainwright and he also completed one UN Tour, Cyprus 01 Mar – 01 Sep 1986.
In March 1988 he remustered to ED Tech, posted to CFB Chilliwack, completed the Electrical QL3 course on 06 Dec 1988 and he was posted to CFB Trenton 07 Dec 1988. While there, he completed his Electrician QL 5’s in Dec 1990, competed in his First Readiness Challenge and was tasked another UN tour, this time to Croatia, from 02 Nov 1992- 02 Feb 1993. In July 1994, WO Critchley was posted to CFB Cold Lake and was tasked another UN Tour, Port Au Prince, Haiti 22 Sep 1995 – 29 Mar 1996. While posted at Cold Lake, he competed in his second and third Readiness Challenges with the third one being the lucky charm as his team won the Bronze Medal. The Career Manager was the bearer of welcome news in 1997 as WO Critchley was back close to salt water after having been posted to CFB Halifax 09 July 1997. During his stay in Halifax, he was part of the relief efforts during the 1998 Ice Storm and Operation Persistence, the response to the crash of Swissair 111. While in Halifax, he also competed in his fourth and final Readiness Challenge and completed his Electrical Distribution Technician Supervisor Course Nov 2000. In July 2001, he was posted to 1 CEU / ESU in Moncton NB. During his 5 years with 1 CEU/ ESU, he was part of many taskings starting with TF SWA Camp Marriage 27 Dec 2001-19 May 2002, Moscow TAV 08 Mar – 03 Apr 2003, Cuba TAV June 2003, TF Kabul Camp Warehouse close out 29 Jul – 15 Sep 2004 and TF Kabul Camp Julien close out 29 Sep – 22 Nov 2005. Fortune smiled once again on WO Critchley in 2006 as he was posted to CFB Gander on 10 July. During his tenure in Gander, he completed both his Intermediate Leadership Qualification Course and his Construction Engineering Superintendent Course. Once again he was tasked and he answered the call, this time to Afghanistan for a 2 month TAV which turned into a 4 month tasking from Feb – Jun 2008.
With his feet planted firmly on the ground in Gander, and having no real desire to move from Newfoundland once again, WO Critchley will commence his retirement leave on the 17 Dec 2010 and start the next chapter of his life. Starting 04 Jan 2011, he will assume the duties of his new civilian job at 9 Wing WCE occupying the position of Electrical Designer.