1. AFTER 21 YEARS OF SERVICE, MAJOR BENNETT WILL RETIRE FROM THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES ON 13 AUGUST 2025.

2. MAJOR BENNETT BEGAN HIS MILITARY CAREER IN 2004 THROUGH A HIGH SCHOOL CO-OP PROGRAM, JOINING THE RESERVE FORCE AS AN INFANTRYMAN WITH THE ROYAL HAMILTON LIGHT INFANTRY. IN 2005, HE ENROLLED IN THE REGULAR OFFICER TRAINING PLAN AS A SIGNALS OFFICER AND, AFTER COMPLETING DP1 TRAINING IN 2009, WAS POSTED TO TORONTO. THERE, HE SERVED AS A 4 CDSG SIG TROOP COMMANDER BEFORE BEING POSTED TO PETAWAWA IN 2009.

3. IN PETAWAWA, MAJOR BENNETT HELD VARIOUS LINE AND STAFF POSITIONS WITHIN 2 CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP AND CANADIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES COMMAND. HIS ROLES INCLUDED SIGNAL PLATOON COMMANDER AND SIGNAL OFFICER FOR 1 RCR, ADJUTANT AT 2 SIGNAL SQUADRON, AND SEVERAL SIGNAL COMPANY OFFICER POSITIONS AT CSOR (PLATOON COMMANDER, COMPANY 2IC, AND COMPANY OPERATIONS OFFICER) WHERE HE SPENT HIS MOST FULFILLING TIME OF HIS CAREER, INCLUDING A DEPLOYMENT ON OP IMPACT IN IRAQ IN 2017.

4. PROMOTED TO MAJOR IN 2018 AFTER COMPLETING THE ARMY OFFICER COURSE, HE WAS POSTED TO OTTAWA, WHERE HE SERVED AT THE NATIONAL DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS (NDHQ) IN G6 OPERATIONS AND FUTURE CAPABILITY INTEGRATION, COORDINATING AND PLANNING THE CA’S LAND COMMAND SUPPORT SYSTEM (LCSS) UPGRADE TO CAPABILITY PACKAGE TOPAZ. HE LATER TRANSITIONED TO DIRECTOR INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SECURITY (DIM SECUR), CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE’S INDUSTRIAL CYBER SECURITY PORTFOLIO, WHERE HE INITIATED THE STANDUP OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CANADIAN PROGRAM FOR CYBER SECURITY CERTIFICATION (CP-CSC) ASSESSMENT CAPABILITY.

5. IN RETIREMENT, MAJOR BENNETT WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN MEDICAL AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, WHILE PRIORITIZING TIME WITH HIS WIFE, KATRINA, AND HIS CHILDREN, ROWAN, JAIME, AND WILLOW. HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS NEXT CHAPTER AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESET AND EXPLORE FUTURE POSSIBILITIES.

6. MAJOR BENNETT IS DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT AND CARE HE HAS RECEIVED IN OTTAWA. HE IS ALSO THANKFUL FOR THE FRIENDSHIPS AND EXPERIENCES HE HAS HAD THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER. HE REMAINS INSPIRED BY THE PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION OF EVERYONE ACROSS THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE. HE WISHES ALL THE BEST TO THOSE CONTINUING TO SERVE AND ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO KEEP SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER AND TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH.

7. FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND A LUNCHTIME DWD CEREMONY ON FRIDAY, 25 JULY 2025 AT 12PM AT THE BREW TABLE, 308 MOODIE DR. PROVIDE ATTENDANCE TO THE DWD COORDINATOR, WO BERT LABONTE (613-901-4008, [email protected]) NLT 22 JULY 2025.

8. MESSAGES AND WELL WISHES CAN BE SENT DIRECTLY TO [email protected] UNTIL 01 AUG 2025.