1. AFTER 35 YEARS OF DEDICATED AND LOYAL SERVICE TO CANADA AND TO THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES, LCOL PALMER WILL RETIRE ON 23 JULY 2018. HIS LAST DAY IN UNIFORM WILL BE 3 JULY.
2. LCOL PALMER ENROLLED IN THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES AS A DIRECT ENTRY OFFICER IN 1983. AT THE TIME OF HIS ENROLLMENT HE WAS THE WORLD RECORD HOLDER FOR THE MOST CONSECUTIVE (1050) ONE-ARM PUSHUPS. AT BASIC OFFICER TRAINING, IN CHILLIWACK BC, HE WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO BE EXEMPTED FROM DOING PUSHUPS. FOLLOWING BASIC TRAINING, HE WAS POSTED TO NDHQ OTTAWA, THEN CFB KINGSTON, WHERE HE COMPLETED SIGNALS OFFICER TRAINING. AT THAT TIME, IT WAS REFERRED TO CELE (LAND).
3. LCOL PALMER SERVED WITH THE CANADIAN FORCES JOINT SIGNAL REGIMENT AND THE CANADIAN FORCES SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS IN KINGSTON. HE SERVED FOR SIX MONTHS WITH THE UN IN ISRAEL/SYRIA AS PART OF UNDOF. IN TORONTO, HE SERVED WITH THE CANADIAN FORCES COLLEGE AND LAND FORCES CENTRAL AREA HEADQUARTERS. IN OTTAWA, HE SERVED WITH COMMUNICATIONS COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, DIRECTOR LAND REQUIREMENTS, IM GROUP, CHIEF FORCE DEVELOPMENT, MILITARY PERSONNEL COMMAND, AND HIS CURRENT POSITION ON THE STRATEGIC JOINT STAFF. IN ADDITION TO ALL THE SPECIALIZED TRAINING HE RECEIVED ON HIS JOURNEY, HE COMPLETED A MASTERS DEGREE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON A MASTERS DEGREE IN CYBERSECURITY.
4. JIM IS GRATEFUL FOR THE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, AND COMRADESHIP HE RECEIVED THROUGHT HIS CAREER. HE HAS FOND MEMORIES OF THE FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES HE HAS MADE ALONG THE WAY AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT OF LEADERSHIP. HE IS PROUD TO HAVE SERVED WITH SUCH A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION AND THANKFUL FOR THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES HE HAS BEEN GIVEN DURING HIS CAREER.
5. JIM WILL REMAIN IN BLISSFUL RETIREMENT WITH HIS WIFE DEBBY EAST OF OTTAWA.
6. AN INFORMAL DEPARTURE WITH DIGNITY CELEBRATION (SELF PAY LUNCH AND DRINKS), OPEN TO ALL THAT HAVE A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO JIM, WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE QUEEN’S ROOM, LIEUTENANT’S PUMP, 361 ELGIN STREET, OTTAWA.ON THURSDAY, 21 JUNE 2018 COMMENCING AT 1200.
7. THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND, SEND WELL WISHES OR ANECDOTES ARE ASKED TO CONTACT OPI: (CONTACT REMOVED 2023 APR 20 BY ADMIN. SEND INQUIRIES HERE: https://cmcen-rcmce.ca/contact/).
Sir:
It was both an honour and pleasure to work for you… Happy retirement and will see you later today at your DwD…
Happy retirement Jim, Hopefully you will have a little time to yourself and family now and a little more time to spend with your buddy Liam LOL. Thank you for your service for this great country it will always be appreciated and it is a honor to have you as a friend. All the best for the future in civilian life and do I still have to call you LTCol Jim or will Jim just do. Talk soon Liam, Cheryl and the Kids.
Congratulations Jim on a very rewarding and remarkable career. It was an honour to serve with you – I recall our days at CFCC HQ vividly! So much has changed, especially with size of the gyms. Thank you for sharing the one-arm push-up technique. It was an awesome party trick back in the day! Looking forward to hoisting a brew with you. Michelle and I sent our very best to you and Deb in your next phase of life.