After more than 31 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, MWO Rodney Densmore, CD, will retire on 31 May 2021. To respect current health measures, there will be no Depart with Dignity ceremony at this time. Anecdotes, congratulatory messages, and pictures can be sent to WO R.P. Jones at Robert.Jones6@forces.gc.ca.
MWO Densmore joined 45 Field Engineer Squadron in Sydney, NS, in 1990. After four fun years as a reservist with six months of that attached to 4 CER in Lahr, Germany, he transferred to the Regular Force as a Combat Engineer. In 1994, he was posted to 2 CER in Petawawa, where he would spend the next nine years as a Sapper. Cpl Densmore quickly proved himself part of the team and progressed in his trade. Highlights during that time were earning his jump wings, followed by the honour of serving in a hard para position, instructing Combat Engineer QL3 students, two deployments to Bosnia, many domestic operations, and being promoted to Sgt, which was an expensive day!
By 2003, it was time for a change. Sgt Densmore accepted an occupational transfer to the RCAF as a Firefighter. After completing trades training in Borden in 2004, he was off to Shearwater. Cpl Densmore quickly completed his OJT and was sent back to Borden for QL5 training. In 2007, it was time for Cpl Densmore to see what the RCN was all about. Posted to HMCS ST. JOHN’S, he quickly learned his ship, the ways of the Navy, and that while underway, everyone is a sailor first. His first sea tour was a lot of fun. A highlight from that time is providing crash protection for three weeks of 24/7 helicopter operations during Op HESTIA, the hurricane relief efforts in Haiti.
In 2009, MCpl Densmore was attached posted to Edmonton to train for TF 3-09 and deployed to Afghanistan as the FOB Wilson Fire Chief. That tour was definitely different than Bosnia; very busy and very real with many experiences that will never be forgotten. In 2010, Sgt Densmore was posted to Greenwood as a Deputy Platoon Chief. While there, he deployed to Inuvik on Op NORTHERN DENIAL as the Detachment Commander in support of Canada’s commitment to NORAD.
In 2013, during his second Navy tour, he served on HMCS FREDERICTON, HALIFAX, IROQUIOS and CHARLOTTETOWN. He participated in four months of storm chasing for the Cyclone sea trials onboard HALIFAX. In 2015, Sgt Densmore deployed on HMCS FREDERICTON again for six months on Op REASSURANCE. This memorable cruise had 24 ports of call. As the Senior Firefighter on FREDERICTON, he received a Commander MARLANT commendation for his leadership. Sgt Densmore racked up 521 days at sea and collected five RCN ball caps - not too bad for a Firefighter.
In 2016, he was promoted WO and posted to Cold Lake, aka Cool Pool, to be employed as a Platoon Chief - the best job in the trade. WO Densmore ran many calls with his crew on, in his opinion, the busiest base in the RCAF for real firefighting events. “Nothing better than regular Two Bells right after shift change to set the tone for the entire shift.” In 2019, he was promoted to MWO and assumed the position of Deputy Fire Chief in Cold Lake. Again, he found it very rewarding to provide direction and guidance to each platoon and to watch each crew work as a team.
In 2020, MWO Densmore was posted back to Shearwater as the Wing Fire Chief to mentor firefighting operations but primarily to handle non-operational Fire Hall administration. MWO Densmore has decided it’s time to close this chapter, take care of his family and himself, and to move into retirement and future endeavours.