1. SGT CHRIS FOSTER WILL RETIRE FROM THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES ON 23 JULY 2023 AFTER 14+ YEARS OF DEDICATED, DISTINGUISHED, AND LOYAL SERVICE TO THE C&E BRANCH, THE ROYAL CANADIAN CORPS OF SIGNALS, CANADA, AND THE CROWN.

2. JOINING THE COMMUNICATIONS RESERVE IN HAMILTON, ONTARIO AS A RADIOTELETYPE OPERATOR AT THE TENDER AGE OF 17 ON 5 JULY 1998, HE SERVED THREE YEARS BEFORE REALISING THAT HIS TWENTIES WOULD BE MORE FUN IF HE WASN’T SUBJECT TO THE CODE OF SERVICE DISCIPLINE. IN 2009, WITH HIS THIRTIES FAST APPROACHING AND A GROWING FAMILY TO FEED, HE MADE GOOD ON HIS PROMISE TO RETURN, AND ENROLLED IN THE REGF AS A SIGNALS OPERATOR. UPON COMPLETION OF BASIC TRAINING (AGAIN) AND QL3 (AGAIN), HE WAS POSTED TO 2 CMBG HQ & SIGNALS SQN IN PETAWAWA. WHILE AT 2 SIGS, HE HAD THE HONOUR OF DRINKING COKE WITH HRH THE PRINCESS ROYAL (2013), SERVING AS THE BRIGADE COMMANDER’S SIGNALLER (2014), AND DEPLOYING TO POLAND WITH 3 RCR AS PART OF OP REASSURANCE (2015). RELUCTANTLY LEAVING PETAWAWA IN 2016, HE WENT TO JOINT TASK FORCE CENTRAL IN TORONTO AS THE SIGNALS SUPERVISOR FOR THE REGIONAL JOINT OPERATIONS CENTRE. AFTER COMPLAINING LOUDLY ABOUT HOW BORING OFFICE WORK WAS, 4 DIV DEIGNED TO SEND HIM ON A 10 MONTH DEPLOYMENT TO BEIRUT, LEBANON AS PART OF OP IMPACT (2017-2018). REALISING THAT HE WAS MORE USEFUL TO CANADA WHEN HE WAS NOT ACTUALLY IN CANADA, THE CM POSTED HIM TO THE CANADIAN FORCES JOINT SIGNAL REGIMENT IN 2019, AND HE QUICKLY FOUND HIMSELF IN THE MIDDLE EAST AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH NATO MISSION IRAQ FOR 10 MORE MONTHS (2020-2021). HE WRAPPED UP HIS CAREER AS A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON NATIONAL DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, AS THE CAPABILITY INTEGRATION SERGEANT FOR CFJSR.

3. SGT FOSTER WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AND AVIATORS WITH WHOM HE’S BEEN FORTUNATE TO SERVE. THE MANY OUTSTANDING PEOPLE, GOOD FRIENDS, AND GREAT EXPERIENCES WILL BE FONDLY REMEMBERED. UPON RELEASE, HE INTENDS TO MOVE TO OTTAWA, CONTINUE WORKING IN SUPPORT OF CANADA AND THE CAF, AND SPEND MORE QUALITY TIME WITH HIS CHILDREN.

4. A DWD WILL BE HELD AT THE KINGSTON WARRANTS AND SERGEANTS MESS ON AT 1300HRS ON 20 JULY, AND WILL BE OPEN TO ALL RANKS. PLEASE SEND ANY CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES, AMUSING ANECDOTES THAT WON’T INVITE PROSECUTION, AND QUOTE SAFE FOR WORK UNQUOTE PHOTOS TO MWO D. YEO AT [email protected]