1. AFTER 36 YEARS OF LOYAL AND DEDICATED SERVICE, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL RICK WILLIAMS WILL RETIRE FROM THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES ON 18 SEPTEMBER 2025.
2. BORN AND RAISED IN CORNER BROOK, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, LCOL RICK WILLIAMS JOINED THE CANADIAN FORCES IN SEPTEMBER 1989, AS A DIRECT ENTRY OFFICE AFTER RECEIVING A DIPLOMA OF TECHNOLOGY IN ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY. UPON COMPLETION OF MILITARY BASIC TRAINING IN CHILLIWACK AND SIGNALS TRAINING IN KINGSTON, HE EMBARKED ON A SERIES OF POSTINGS WHICH INCLUDE: 76 COMMUNICATION GROUP HEADQUARTERS, OTTAWA IN 1993; 742 COMMUNICATION SQUADRON DETACHMENT WAINWRIGHT IN 1995; 1ST CANADIAN MECHANIZED BRIGADE GROUP HEADQUARTERS AND SIGNAL SQUADRON IN 1999; JOINT SIGNAL REGIMENT, KINGSTON IN 2001; CANADIAN FORCES JOINT HEADQUARTERS, KINGSTON IN 2004; DIRECTORATE LAND REQUIREMENTS IN 2007; 3 ASG SIGNAL SQUADRON, GAGETOWN IN 2009; LAND FORCES ATLANTIC AREA, HALIFAX IN 2011; NATO JOINT WARFARE CENTRE, STAVANGER NORWAY IN 2012; AND CANADIAN FORCES COLLEGE IN 2015; 4TH CANADIAN DIVISION IN 2019; COMPLETED BY A RETURN TO JWC STAVANGER NORWAY IN JULY 2021.
3. DURING HIS CAREER HE COMPLETED COURSES INCLUDE BASIC AND INTERMEDIATE SIGNAL OFFICER’S COURSES; THE ADVANCED COMMAND CONTROL AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS COURSE; THE LAND FORCES STAFF COURSE; THE TRANSITIONAL COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE; LAND FORCES TECHNICAL STAFF COURSE; AND THE JOINT COMMAND AND STAFF PROGRAM. HIS OPERATIONAL TOURS HAVE INCLUDED THE THEATRE ACTIVATION TEAM DEPLOYMENTS TO KABUL IN 2003; HAITI IN 2004; AND KANDAHAR IN 2005.
4. LCOL WILLIAMS WILL BE RETIRING TO THE TORONTO AREA WITH HIS PARTNER IN CRIME OF 39 YEARS (HELEN) AND THEIR FUR BABIES HUDSON AND KARA. FROM TORONTO HE WILL EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES, SOME FISHING OF COURSE AND LOOKING FOR THEIR FOREVER HOME.
5. THE DEPARTURE WITH DIGNITY CEREMONY FOR LCOL WILLIAMS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE JÅTTÅ COMMUNITY CLUB, JOINT WARFARE CENTRE, STAVANGER, NORWAY ON 19 JUNE 2025 AT 1400 HRS. PLEASE RSVP FOR THE DWD AND SEND ANY CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES, PICTURES, AND AMUSING ANECDOTES TO MAJ ROB ARCHIBALD [email protected].
Congratulations on a long, dedicated career and a well-deserved retirement! From Edmonton, to Kingston, Ottawa and Stavanger, we have marched along many of the same roads, and I’m glad to have been able to work with you along the way. Of course I’m envious that you managed not one but TWO tours in Stavanger, NATO’s best-kept secret, so you’ll have to tell me how you did it the next time we meet! All the best to you and Helen as you start the rest of your lives doing whatever you want. VVV
I have enjoyed working with you very much as well. The highlight of my career was the time spent at the Joint Signal Regiment and the TAT deployments. I look forward to sharing a cold one with you when next getting together at the VOM.
Congratulations – I am so proud of all the hard work you have done. I have seen how much heart and soul that you put into everything you did. I think you are amazing. I can’t wait to see what adventures you will have in your retirement. I love you.
Many adventures indeed. I love you.