Major Kristin Strackerjan put on her uniform for the last time on December 4. The North Grenville Councillor was recognized for 25 years of service with the Canadian Armed Forces.
Mayor Nancy Peckford presented her with a certificate of appreciation during the committee of the whole meeting last night.
Strackerjan enrolled as an aerospace controller in June, 1994. She completed her Bachelor of Science in physics and earned a diploma in meteorology. Upon completion of training, Strackerjan was posted to Ottawa with the Maritime Helicopter Project and was promoted to captain in July, 2002.
She then returned to academia, earning her Master of Science in imagining at the Rochester Institute of Technology. In 2010, she was promoted to Major. She was then posted to Open Skies as the senior sensor officer in 2012, where she represented Canada in Belgium, France, the United States, Austria, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary and Bosnia.
Strackerjan was posted to Intelligence Command, earning her reputation as the ‘Space Guy,’ and later serving as Deputy Commanding Officer.
She plans to enjoy her retirement from the military by working at the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Strackerjan says she’s humbled by her experience in the military. She noted there’s not a single military member out there who gets through without a vast amount of support from their family, friends and community. Strackerjan has three children with her husband Steve.
Peckford noted her years of service are appreciated.