MWO René joined the Canadian Armed Forces in April 1984. He was first posted CFB North Bay, ON, following QL-3 firefighter training and was promoted from private to corporal. Immediately after QL-5 graduation, he was posted to Canadian Forces Fire Academy, CFB Borden, ON, in 1988. He was promoted master-corporal in 1989 and graduated from QL-6a shortly before his next posting to Canadian Forces Recruit School in 1994. After transforming several civilians into proud military members, he was posted to HMCS ATHABASKAN, Halifax NS, in 1999. He was promoted Sgt in 2000 and deployed in the Persian Gulf under OP APPOLO in 2001. Posted to the fire department of CFB Edmonton, AB, in 2001, he was promoted WO in 2003 and employed as platoon chief. He was posted to 3 Wing, Bagotville, QC, in 2004 and deployed on OP ATHENA to Kabul Afghanistan in 2006. Following QL-6b graduation, he was recognized as a chief of operation by the national defence fire service. Promoted MWO in 2008 and posted to 8 Wing, Trenton, ON, he was employed as deputy fire chief until 2016, joining 2 Wing, 2 AES as acting Squadron CWO. He was reassigned to 8 ACCS at 8 Wing as an Administration Officer in January 2017. He accepted the National Firefighting Standard Officer position in Ottawa as a public servant for the CAF Fire Marshall’s office. MWO René will retire from the CAF on 12 May 17 with a meaningful career over a span of 34 years of service.