1. After more than 26 years of loyal and dedicated service to my country. The time has come for me to pass the torch.

2. Over the years I have had the opportunity to be posted to Kingston at 1CDHSR, which became CFJSR between 1999-2007. CFB Borden at CFSTG between 2007-2012. Since then, I have been in Ottawa first at CANSOFCOM HQ from 2012-2016, then CANSPOC, which is now 3 Canadian Space Division from 2016 – 2022 and finally to 766 COMM Sqn from 2022-2024.

3. I have also had the opportunity to deploy on 3 occasions. Bosnia as a driver in 2000, Afghanistan as a Deployed Network Administrator in 2004 and Qatar as a Space Operations Specialist in 2018.

4. When I was a young girl the only thing, I ever really wanted to do was become a soldier, to serve my country. I joined the Cadets as soon as I was old enough and stuck with it until I aged out at 19. Two years later I followed my dream. As I take the time to look back over my career I see triumphs, failures, comradery, hardships, lessons and so many amazing memories. I am proud of what I have accomplished. It wasn’t always what I expected and sometimes it was a great deal more than I could have imagined. It has been a life, and I have lived my dream.

5. I am particularly humbled and honoured to have served with so many amazing people. Throughout my career there have been a few outstanding mentors for me to look up to and be inspired by. Those who stood out as admirable and I chose to emulate my leadership style after. Their dedication, patients and wisdom, are lessons that weren’t always easy or readily received, but will carry those lessons forward with me as forge yet another path and follow a new dream.

6. 26 years, and I did not do this alone. I have many people to thank for making my successes possible. Without the support of my family and friends, I would not have been able to do anything, to go anywhere. I would like to thank my children, Avr. Carter MacKenzie and Miss Lilia Chang, thank you, for being amazing and understanding. You are both warriors who lived without your mother, more times than I care to count. I must specifically thank their grandmother. Mom, thank you for taking on more and sacrificing so much to ensure that I could succeed while knowing my children were in good and loving hands. Thank you to my friends who consistently show up, supporting and encouraging me to keep going, even when I felt like I was losing. Each of you know who you are, and I will never be able to thank everyone enough.

7. As for retirement, it isn’t really. I have been given the opportunity to use the many years of experience and skills in a new way while still serving Canada. This is a continuation of my dream, not an end to it. So, this is not good-bye, it’s see you soon. As I am certain that many of our paths will cross again.