Benoit Robitaille

Locomotive Engineer/Close Protection Operator

Lac-Beauport, Quebec, Canada

About

For the last two decades I have been a proud member of the Canadian Forces, working across Canada and abroad to maintain the safety and security of the public, military personnel and diplomats. While navigating high-threat, politically-charged environments, I have cultivated a unique set of skills that I am now looking to parlay into a career in the civilian sector. Here is a snapshot of what I have to offer: ® Proven ability to direct a team. ® Skill in threat analysis and risk mitigation. ® Expertise in reconnaissance and contingency planning. ® Unparalleled talents in close protection strategy. In addition to these strengths, working across international borders with multinational counterparts and stakeholders, has served to hone my cross-cultural sensitivity, relationship building abilities, and communication skills. To this end, I am able to develop comprehensive action plans and deliver training, as well as to manage communications during conflict situations. As I prepare to retire from the Canadian Forces, I am eager to continue to apply these strengths in the areas of executive protection, private security, and close protection. If you or your organization could benefit from my expertise, I invite you to connect via LinkedIn.

Experience

  • Train de Charlevoix (Seasonal · 3 yrs 11 mos)
    • Locomotive Engineer
      Aug 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 11 mos

    • Train master
      Aug 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 11 mos

  • Canadian Forces (10 yrs 8 mos)
    • SPECIAL AGENT/CLOSE PROTECTION OPERATOR/SECOND IN COMMAND,
      Jun 2016 - Aug 2022 · 6 yrs 3 mos

      SPECIAL AGENT/CLOSE PROTECTION OPERATOR/SECOND IN COMMAND, Canadian Forces Protective Services Unit – Location Baghdad, Iraq 2016-2017. I have served overseas as the Second in Command of a Close Protection Team (CPT) responsible for ensuring the safety and security of a high-profile military figure and his team. My duties include: - Conducting reconnaissance missions. - Identifying threats and risks. Developing contingency plans for venues and camps. - Vetting all points of contact. - Collaborating with local nationals. - Coordinating the team’s movement across the city. - Briefing the team and training military and civilian personnel.

    • SERGEANT/SECTION COMMANDER, Parachute COY, 3PPCLI
      2012 - Jan 2017 · 5 yrs 1 mo

      While in Edmonton, I had the opportunity to hone my leadership skills as the Section Commander of a battalion parachute company. My duties included: - Leading a team of 10. - Evaluating performance and creating annual training plans. - Working with international military personnel on joint training exercises. - Delivering training on urban operations tactics.

    • SPECIAL AGENT/CLOSE PROTECTION OPERATOR/SECOND IN COMMAND
      Dec 2014 - Jul 2015 · 8 mos

      Between 2014-2015, I spent 8 months in Kabul, providing close protection (CP) to the Canadian Ambassador of Canada to Afghanistan. My duties included: - Securing the safety of the Ambassador during daily missions. - Coordinating with multinational security teams to facilitate meetings. - Analyzing risks and providing site reconnaissance. - Creating risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans. - Emergency Response and Advanced Anti-Terrorist Evasive Driving (ATED). - Leading drills and training exercises. - Educating staff on weapons, close quarter combat, and responding to live fire.

  • INSTRUCTOR/SECTION COMMANDER at Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School
    2008 - 2012 · 4 yrs

    This was a very interesting time for me, as I was promoted to Section Commander and Weapons Instructor in the special cell responsible for platoon-level training. My duties included: - Leading teams of up to 75 non-commissioned and officer recruits. - Steering training exercises in both English and French.

  • INFANTRYMAN, MASTER CORPORAL, SECTION 2IC 3R22R at Canadian Forces
    Jul 2007 - Mar 2008 · 9 mos

    As a part of Operation Athena, Canada’s Battle Group contribution to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, I had the opportunity to engage in combat operations in volatile South West region. My duties included: - Collaborating with Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). - Providing security and biometric screening of local nationals working within the base.

  • INFANTRY SOLDIER at Canadian Forces
    1996 - 2007 · 11 yrs

    I joined the Canadian Forces at the age of 17 and spent the first decade of my career as an Infantryman. This included completing several Tours of Duty, which allowed me to develop skills in stress management, conflict resolution, and threat assessment.