RETIREMENT – BGEN MARTIN GIRARD, OMM, MSM, CD – 00341 SIGS

by | Aug 16, 2020 | News, Retirements | 9 comments

1. BGEN MARTIN GIRARD WILL RETIRE FROM THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES AND THE C&E BRANCH ON 4TH OF SEPTEMBER 2020 AFTER SERVING MORE THAN 39 YEARS OF LOYAL AND DEDICATED SERVICE.

2. BGEN MARTIN GIRARD JOINED THE CANADIAN FORCES IN JUNE 1981 AND STARTED AT COLLEGE MILITAIRE ROYAL DE ST-JEAN ON 15 AUGUST 1981. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE OF CANADA IN KINGSTON IN 1982 WHERE HE GRADUATED WITH A BACHELOR IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING IN MAY 1986. HIS FIRST POSTING WAS B TEL O FOR CFB GAGETOWN FROM 1987-1989.

3. HE HAS SERVED IN NUMEROUS OPERATIONAL, STAFF AND PROJECT APPOINTMENTS AT NDHQ AND THE OPERATIONAL COMMANDS SUCH AS CHIEF ENGINEER DWAN, EA ADM IM, CF DEPUTY J6, CEFCOM J6, CANOSCOM OS J3 AND COS.

4. BGEN GIRARD ALSO SERVED IN THREE OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENTS: FIRST GULF WAR (1990-1991) AS SECOND IN COMMAND OF 1 PTARMIGAN SQUADRON OF 1ST (UK) ARMOURED DIVISION HQ AND SIGNAL REGIMENT; BOSNIA (2002-2003) AS THE SFOR COMMANDER SIGNAL SUPPORT GROUP; AND HAITI (2008-2009) AS TASK FORCE COMMANDER PORT AU PRINCE AND CHIEF OF STAFF MINUSTAH FOR WHICH HE RECEIVED A MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL IN NOVEMBER 2010.

5. BGEN GIRARD HAS COMMANDED AND RELUCTANTLY RELINQUISHED COMMAND AT CFS LEITRIM (2000-2002), CFSCE (2003-2005) AND CFSSG (2012-2014).

6. HE IS A GRADUATE FROM CANADIAN LAND FORCES COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGE (1993), ADVANCED SIGNAL OFFICER COURSE, CANADIAN FORCES COLLEGE (1998), NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMME (2012) AND CAPSTONE (2015). HE ALSO RECEIVED A MASTERS DEGREE IN TELECOMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT AT THE ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE OF CANADA (1996). BGEN GIRARD HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS AN OFFICER TO THE ORDER OF MILITARY MERIT ON THE 25TH OF OCTOBER 2011.

7. PROMOTED TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL ON 29 MAY 2014, HE WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR GENERAL MILITARY SIGNAL INTELLIGENCE AND DEPUTY COMMANDER CANADIAN FORCES INTELLIGENCE COMMAND UNTIL 4 APRIL 2016 WHEN HE MOVED TO NEW YORK TO BECOME MILITARY ADVISOR TO THE PERMANENT MISSION OF CANADA TO THE UNITED NATIONS.

8. BGEN GIRARD AND GYL DO NOT HAVE PLANS YET, BUT THERE WILL BE AT LEAST ONE YEAR OF REST, SPENDING AS MUCH TIME AS THEY CAN WITH BOTH THEIR DAUGHTERS, TANYA AND KATRINA, AFTER 2 WEEKS OF QUARANTINE IN BROMONT.

9. A DEPARTURE WITH DIGNITY WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE WHEN RESTRICTIONS ARE SUFFICIENTLY RELAXED TO ALLOW FOR AN APPROPRIATE CEREMONY AT CFS LEITRIM. BEST WISHES, ANECDOTES AND CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES CAN BE EMAILED TO COL S. ROY, [email protected].

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Brad Lowe
3 years ago

Martin,
Just noticed this post as I was surfing the net. Congrats on your well-deserved retirement and I hope that it’s an enjoyable one! It was great to have had the opportunity to photograph you throughout much of your career. Have a great time my friend!!

Brad Lowe

Don Sutherland, Capt (Ret'd)
3 years ago

So does your retirement home going to have a pool? I do believe that was a similar question I asked you 19 years ago in Leitrim. Whether it was the joke of being traded for cash considerations and players to be named later when I was posted Leitrim (and on tour to Bosina) or when you played the spoons at the grad Mess dinner in 2006, you always connected with your subordinates and always kept a great sense or humour regardless of the situation or stresses involved – an absolute pleasure to work for you. Hope your retirement full of joy and relaxation.

Kash Bagal
3 years ago

Sir,
It was an absolute pleasure to work for you – luckily I had the opportunity several times. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to go on my one tour (to Kosovo) – it was the highlight of my career. You always looked after your troops, and it was a pleasure to know you as a caring leader. I hope the best for you and your family in your retirement.

Kash Bagal

LCol Dave Freake
3 years ago

Sir, best wishes to you and your family on the occasion of your CAF retirement. It has been real pleasure making your acquaintance over the past 30 years. All the best.

Pep Fraser
3 years ago

Martin,
Congratulations on completing an outstanding career! As you enter phase III of your life more great things await you and Gyl.
Enjoy your new life, your new house and all your future opportunities to take advantage of your own time!
Well done and enjoy, enjoy!
Pep & Mireille

Michel pelletier
3 years ago

Mr. Girard(Martin), Félicitations a vous et Gyl pour une retraite bien méritée . Un gros merci aussi pour votre travail acharné et votre dévouement au sein de la Branche des Communications. Vous avez été une inspiration pour beaucoup de gens.

Martin Girard
3 years ago

Merci beaucoup Michel. Tellement un privilège d’avoir travailler avec toi. on s’est tellement amusé comme partenaire avec CFSSG.
Au plaisir de se revoir bientôt

Martin Girard
3 years ago

Thank you so much Richard for your kind words.

richard liberty
3 years ago

Sir, I wish you the best on your retirement. You were always one of the best leaders i worked for. MWO Richard Liberty (Ret’d)