1. MASTER WARRANT OFFICER MARK LAROCHE WILL RETIRE FROM THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES ON 18 NOVEMBER 2019, AFTER COMPLETING OVER 34+ YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE CAF, THE RCAF, AND THE C&E BRANCH.

2. MARK ENROLLED IN 1985, SPENDING MOST OF THE FOLLOWING TWO YEARS ON BASIC AND TRADES TRAINING IN CORNWALLIS, KINGSTON, AND BORDEN RESPECTIVELY. HE GRADUATED AS A CRS TECH BEFORE REMUSTERING TO ATIS IN 1996. OVER THE COURSE OF HIS CAREER, HE SAW THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THE COUNTRY WITH STINTS AT 407 MP SQN IN COMOX, AETE AND 4 WTIS IN COLD LAKE, ATESS AND 8 WTIS IN TRENTON, AND CFNOC AND SSU IN OTTAWA (AMONGST OTHER POSITIONS). HE IS PART OF A SMALL FRATERNITY WHO CAN STILL REMEMBER SERVING IN BADEN GERMANY AT 439 TF SQN IN THE EARLY 90’S. HE ALSO SAW TIME OVERSEAS WITH TWO TOURS ON OP DANACA (GOLAN HEIGHTS), AND ONE EACH WITH OP ATHENA (CAMP MIRAGE) AND OP IMPACT (IRAQ). MARK FINISHED HIS CAREER WITH DG CYBER, WHERE HE HELPED TO INTRODUCE AN ENTIRELY NEW DOMAIN OF CONFLICT TO THE CAF.

3. MARK IS NOT DONE SERVING HIS COUNTRY, AND WILL REMAIN IN THE OTTAWA AREA WITH HIS WIFE, BRENDA, AND SON, GRAYSON, TAKING A NEW POSITION IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE WITH DND.

4. AT HIS REQUEST, THERE WILL NOT BE A DEPARTURE WITH DIGNITY EVENT. HOWEVER, HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES, ANECDOTES AND/OR CLEVERLY CONCEALED COMMENTS ABOUT HIS FAILINGS OF CHARACTER TO CAPT DAVE LARRETT AT [email protected] FOR INCLUSION IN HIS DEPARTURE BOOK.