After more than 39 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces with more than 33 years to the Canadian Military Engineers, WO Rodney Milburn retired from the CAF on 22 April 2020.  A Depart with Dignity event was held on 23 May 2020.

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After over 39 years of service to Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces, Warrant Officer Rodney Milburn will retire on 22 April 2020. WO Milburn was born in Peace River, Alberta on June 4th 1963 and moved frequently throughout Alberta and Ontario, eventually settling in Regina, Saskatchewan. WO Milburn enlisted as an Infantryman with the Royal Regina Rifles on 25 Jun 1980. After various courses and tasks, WO Milburn component transferred to the Regular Force on 21 May 1986 as a Field Engineer.

WO Milburn completed his basic training in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. He was posted to Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME) to complete his Qualification Level 3 (QL3) at CFB Chilliwack, BC from Aug-Dec 1986. After graduation, he was posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1CER), Chilliwack, BC where he completed various courses, including QL5A at CFSME. WO Milburn was promoted to Corporal May 1989 and posted July 1989 to 4 Combat Engineer Regiment (4CER) in Lahr, Germany.

WO Milburn was employed as a Troop section member, CP operator, Dispatch Rider, SHQ CP Operator Assistant, and SQMS and deployed to Croatia, Yugoslavia with the Regiment. WO Milburn was posted to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2CER) 1993- 2003 where he completed various courses including Combat Leaders Course and the QL6A Section Commander Course. He was promoted to Master Corporal Jun 1997 and then to Sergeant Jan 2003. In Jul 2003, he was posted to Range Control at CFB Petawawa as Range Control Patrol Commander and EOD IC. In Jul 2006, WO Milburn was posted back to 2 CER as the 28 Admin Trg Sgt where he started training with OMLT for deployment in Jan 2007. After returning from tour he completed his QL6B Troop WO Course and was posted to CFSME, CFB Gagetown in Jul 2008 as an instructor. During his tenure at the school, he taught various courses including Section Member, Sect 2IC, Basic Demolition, and finished as part of the Standard Cell. He was posted back to 2 CER as the 28 Admin Sqn Trg Sgt in Jul 2010. Jul 2012, WO Milburn was posted to 31 Brigade Group (31 CBG) HQ in London ON as the 31 CBG Battle School Ops Sgt and then as the 31 CBG HQ Tasker. WO Milburn was promoted to his current rank July 2013 and posted to 31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgins) as the Ops WO. During his time as the Ops WO, he was the Course 2IC for 3 summers at RETS, CFB Gagetown, and various Basic Demolitions courses with 31 CBG. WO Milburn was posted to CAFTC in London, Mar 2019 until his release.

WO Milburn deployed on OP Harmony Mar-Oct 1992, Op Cavalier Oct 1994-May 1995 and Op Archer Feb-Aug 2007. He also deployed on various domestic operations including the Red River Floods Mar-May 1997 and the Ice Storm Jan 1998.

Over the years WO Milburn has been a valued member of the community by teaching Karate in Petawawa, Oromocto and London. He plans on enjoying life by teaching Karate, travelling and spending time with family. He is married to Brenda Willsie who is a retired Supply Tech. They have 2 sons, Scott Donnally, 27, Daniel Milburn, 14, and recently became grandparents.

To commemorate his departure, there will be a retirement ceremony held at The Royal Canadian Legion, Col Talbot Branch 81, 211 John St N, Aylmer ON on 23 May, 2020 starting at 1300hrs. Friends and colleagues are encouraged to join Rod for a BBQ and offer their well wishes on his retirement. A small charge of $15 will be collected to cover some of the costs.

RSVPs are requested no later than 11 May, 2020 to Sgt Kathy Ferris at katherine.ferris@forces.gc.ca or 519-660-5275 x 5103. Congratulatory messages, humorous anecdotes, and well wishes are highly encouraged and can be forwarded to Sgt Ferris.