New BLOG CO at home

Capt(N) Jason Boyd, Base Commander presides over the Change of Command with outgoing CO of Base Logistics Capt(N) Sam Sader and incoming CO Cdr Cynthia Smith on June 19. Photo by Corporal Jay Naples, MARPAC Imaging Services

A/SLt Michelle Scott, MARPAC PA Office ~

It was happenstance that led Commander (Cdr) Cynthia Smith from her small town of Trenton, N.S. to the corner office on the second deck of D211 in H.M.C. Dockyard Esquimalt.

When Cdr Smith was in Grade 10, her school hosted a career fair where she planned to attend an information session by Dalhousie University. There was a room change and she happened to walk into a Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) brief. It was from that moment on, she knew she was destined for a career in the Canadian Armed Forces.

While attending RMC, her mentor – the school’s deputy commandant, suggested she consider sea logistics for her future career.

“He said, ‘Your personality and nature would be an asset to the logistics community.’ My vision, my communication [skills] and ability to connect with others – that’s what he saw in me,” explained Cdr Smith.

Her choice to follow his advice led her from the fleet to Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2), around the world, and back to the West Coast where she assumed command of Base Logistics (BLOG) from Captain (Navy) Sam Sader on June 19.

“It’s an honour to be extended such an auspicious appointment,” she said. “I am looking forward to working with such a dedicated, forward thinking, and intelligent team.”

Cdr Smith comes to BLOG after five years in Ottawa, working within the Directorate of Military Procurement and later the Directorate of Naval Logistics.

But she is no stranger to BLOG – in 2004 she was the Customer Services Officer. Cdr Smith explained her return as feeling like she is coming home, and she is ready to amalgamate her two families – both the branch and her young family making the move to the coast with her.

Cdr Smith’s experience within the materiel support group and Navy command lines will enable her to guide the BLOG team towards digitization – a new focus for the branch, one fostered by Capt(N) Sader.

“I have big shoes to fill. The successes that the Base Logistics team have had under Captain Sader have been remarkable. I don’t say that lightly,” she said. “They’ve accomplished a lot in the last two years and I need to continue with that momentum.”

But Capt(N) Sader is confident he is leaving BLOG in capable hands.

“Cdr Smith will be a perfect fit for the base leadership team as she cares tremendously about people and has extensive experience and knowledge about delivering the best operational support to Formation units.”

As BLOG CO, Cdr Smith’s priority is to modernize and digitize the branch while enabling her staff to maintain a work-life balance. She believes the success of the branch is incumbent on the health of her team.

“It’s a fine art to balance the organizational demands with the needs of our people,” she said. “People first, mission always – I truly believe people are first.”

To that end, Cdr Smith wants to cultivate a workplace inclusive for all. The responsibility she carries as a high-ranking female in a high-profile role isn’t lost on her, and it’s a weight she bears willingly.

“My ultimate goal is to be an advocate, to be a role model, to be a mentor. So if I need to move the yardsticks forward…to really articulate what changes need to occur, then I will take the opportunity to speak.”