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Peter MallettStaff Writer––It takes a community to raise a child, and the same can be said for preparing the next wave of Regular Force sailors.Albert Head is home for 10 weeks to newly signed naval recruits undergoing their Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) training, decentralized two years ago from the Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, to help ease the training burden as the school also trains army and air force personnel. Instructors come from all corners of the navy to help Naval Fleet School Pacific deliver each training serial. A full training serial includes the standard modules: classroom instruction, drill, field training, weapons training, range practice, first aid, basic fire extinguishing skills, confidence course completion, swim tests, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear training, and physical fitness training and testing.Over 200 recruits graduate the Basic Military Training each year on the west coast.Navy members who volunteer for teaching duties undertake a two-week General Military Training Instructor course in preparation. However, billet shortfalls within the trades make finding instructors tough, says CPO2 Stephan Melançon, D-BMQ Chief Petty Officer.“As this is a number one CAF priority, people who are interested need to let their chain of command be aware of their intentions as soon as possible,” he says. “The ideal candidate to be a BMQ trainer is someone who is a good mentor, that doesn’t mind working extra hours and on weekends, they also need to have really good people skills, and be able to adapt to change on the fly.” Currently, 52 personnel are at the ready to instruct. This expertise casts a wide net: Naval Communicators, Weapons Engineering Technicians, Marine Technicians, Boatswains, Sonar Operators, Naval Combat Information Officers, Naval Communicators and even an Imagery Technician and professional musician with the Naden Band. PO2 Katrina Bligh, an oboe player with Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, decided to become a D-BMQ trainer in February, with the gig ending after the August graduation of the serial.She completed her first serial...

Every year, the Healthy Relationships campaign runs in October. This year it takes place over two weeks from Oct 18 to 29. But why do we even focus on relationships, you ask?In general, being in a healthy relationship feels good. Healthy relationships can make us feel happy and mentally strong. When we find ourselves in an unhealthy one, the opposite is true. We can feel stressed out about every little thing and even be unhappy in our day-to-day lives.Yet over time, all relationships will evolve and change. Have you ever wondered what sets apart a healthy relationship from an unhealthy one?According to relationship experts Drs. John and Julie Gottman, the primary reason why couples separate or divorce is that they are unaware of their partner’s inner world. In the past, experts believed that major betrayals are what led to separation or divorce. The Gottmans have spent the last four decades studying romantic relationships to find out what makes a marriage successful. They report that couples who remain together are more likely to be attentive to their partner’s needs and wants. This simple idea has revolutionized the study of love and romantic relationships. In fact, experts now believe that small acts and gestures are what can make or break a relationship.There are easy ways to increase your awareness of your partner’s ‘inner world’. How much do you know about your partner’s most embarrassing childhood moment? What does your significant other consider unfair in the world? Is there something that is hard for them to overcome this week? Knowing the answers to these questions allows you to connect with your partner on a much deeper level.To help you find out more about your partner’s inner world, the Gottmans created an app called Card Decks. It has a series of card deck themes...

[caption id="attachment_27024" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Navy race participants conduct pre-sail inspection of Tuna. Photo by Michael McWhinnie[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––The Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) will once again be hosting the Cascadian Convoy race with this year’s competition planned for Oct. 23 and 24. The search is on both for volunteers and teams to compete.Despite COVID-19 constraints, the CFSA hosted a highly successful race last year and have pledged to operate this year under similar, stringent safety protocols says CFSA Commodore LCdr Chris Maier. “When all of the big sailing races were cancelled last year, the CFSA stepped up to think outside the box and host a no-contact race,” says Maier. “With most of the races cancelled again this year, there are a lot of people still interested in getting out and racing.”Competitors and volunteers will follow COVID-19 health and safety protocols conforming to those mandated by the province says LCdr Maier, who works as the Deputy Commandant at Naval Fleet School Pacific (NFS(P)). LCdr Maier says there are many prominent racing teams and “big boats” already registered but noted overall participation numbers are low: he cited COVID-19 protocols along with the unpredictable late-October weather as contributing factors. “It’s a rough time of year to be racing but that’s also part of the allure and the hardy are drawn to the race,” he notes. Two Navy sailboats, Tuna and Goldcrest will be competing in the event. The boats are managed by NFS(P) and are used to provide seamanship training to personnel awaiting training (PATs).“These boats provide exceptional training value to officers and NCMs at the start of their careers,” emphasized Lt(N) Konnor Brett, a Training Officer at NFS(P).  “Students develop a wide range of maritime skills from seamanship to navigation to small-team leadership.”  Lt(N) Brett will skipper Tuna in the upcoming competition. “The PATs that learn to sail at Fleet School never stay long yet we manage to develop highly competitive crews capable of giving the bigger boats a run for their...

[caption id="attachment_27019" align="aligncenter" width="595"] The CH-148 Cyclone helicopters (seen here accompanying HMCS Winnipeg and HMCS Regina) are the RCNs main ship-borne maritime helicopter. Photo by MS Dan Bard, Canadian Forces Combat Camera[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––He was looking for a bigger challenge on his career path and ended up with a job landing helicopters on the flight decks of RCN ships.Today Naval Combat Information Operator (NCIOP) MS Nelson Holland says he is fully enjoying his new job as Shipbourne Air Controller (SAC) onboard HMCS Vancouver. The 26-year-old from Sanford, Manitoba began his service in the RCN seven years ago. Prior to completing his SAC training in May 2021 he was employed as an Air Raid Reporting Operator and Track Supervisor within the NCIOP trade. “I decided to volunteer for the SAC course because I wanted a greater sense of accomplishment and something that would keep me more engaged in my job and have a tangible impact on operations,” says MS Holland. “After being approached by other air controllers in the fleet and being given additional insight into the job, I decided it would be a good fit and provide the sense of accomplishment I was looking for.” Shipbourne Air Controllers are responsible for the tactical air control of helicopters, fixed wing marine aircraft as well as international aircraft excluding fighter jets. Their job and title is a recognized NATO qualification granted to combat operators from naval trades including NCIOP, Naval Electronics Sensor Operator (NESOP) and Sonar Operator. The job itself is similar to an air traffic controller, but SACs also provide tactical or radar control when pilots and their air crews are not capable of detecting threats. “I quickly discovered that being a SAC puts you into an advisory role to command for everything to do with the employment of air assets,” says MS Holland. “I find myself contributing to many different evolutions involving our shipborne helicopter or other aircraft.  The SAC plays an important role in many operations vital to a...

[caption id="attachment_27014" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Harry DeWolf makes its way towards Pond Inlet during Operation Nanook-Nunakput, on the Davis Straight, Aug. 18. Photo by Corporal Simon Arcand, Canadian Armed Forces photo[/caption]Lt(N) Lisa Tubb HMCS Harry DeWolf PAO––It was a remarkable sighting, that black dot on the horizon in the field of blue and white of the Canadian Arctic. The sailors in the Multi-Role Rescue Boat dispatched from Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf slowly drew closer to the strange sight.“We slowly inched closer to this brown and black dot on the horizon, it just completely stood out from its surroundings,” said Medical Officer Major (Maj) Lili Zhang, one of the sailors sent to photograph a particularly large iceberg when the anomaly was spotted. “We maintained a safe distance from it, but it was unmistakeable, a lone walrus was perched on a large slab of ice.”The walrus didn’t seem to be as interested in the sailors as they were in it.“Walruses are normally sighted in large groups referred to as herds, so to see one all on its own was really rare,” Maj Zhang said, referencing an Arctic wildlife field manual which has been passed around the crew.[caption id="attachment_27015" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Photo by Corporal Simon Arcand, Canadian Armed Forces photo[/caption]Thanks to Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Karen Winzowski who has supplied the crew with her own copy of an Arctic Wildlife field manual, crew members have been reading up on the wildlife they have encountered.During the transit through Canada’s storied Northwest Passage on Operation Nanook 2021, every member of HMCS Harry DeWolf has had their own wildlife sighting story.SLt Terrance Moy spotted an albatross from the bridge while on watch, confirming this after consulting the field guide.“The wingspan was just incredible,” he said.Sailors who went ashore on Herschel Island, Yukon, had a heartwarming surprise awaiting them: a lone seal pup was there to greet them on arrival. While sailing through waters off of Nunavut, an Arctic fox was sighted by Imagery Technician Corporal Simon...

[caption id="attachment_27007" align="aligncenter" width="595"] The new peaked cap is based on a design worn by petty officers pre-1967.[/caption]The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has released a new, more comfortable peaked cap for its sailors. “The new cap has a flexible oval frame to better accommodate different head sizes, which makes it more adaptable for everyone,” says Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (CPO1) David Steeves, Command Chief Petty Officer of the Royal Canadian Navy. The new cap – which is comfortable to wear in various weather conditions – will be easier than the old version to care for. Its replaceable cloth top cover can be machine washed and dried. When it is worn-out, damaged or permanently soiled, the top cover can be replaced at less cost than replacing the whole cap. Sailors will wear the new cap with their naval Distinctive Environmental Uniform. “A sailor’s uniform is a source of pride,” says CPO1 Steeves. “Being able to wash the white cover of the cap will make it easier for sailors to maintain a professional appearance.”The peaked cap was authorized for wear by all sailors, regardless of gender   or gender orientation in 2016: the new cap will conform to that existing policy. Female sailors will be able to wear either the current sea service bowler or the new peaked cap, based on what is best for the member to accommodate their authorized hairstyles. Alternative service headdresses such as a hijab or Sikh turban will continue to be available to naval members to support their faith-based requirements.The design of the new cap is also a nod to RCN tradition. The non-commissioned members’ version is based on the RCN petty officer cap worn prior to unification of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1967. The new cap will be worn by non-commissioned members from the rank...

[caption id="attachment_27004" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Photo by LCdr Colin Dudeck[/caption]SLt Wilson HoUPAR - HMCS Vancouver––PCT Renard 58 was on the move last week when it made its way from Esquimalt Harbour to Point Hope Maritime Shipyard on Oct. 1 for a scheduled docking work period (DWP). The DWP will be an extensive overhaul for the vessel.  It will be lifted out of the water onto wooden blocks so contractors can inspect and repair the entire ship thoroughly inside and out. The evolution was a “cold move” for Renard, which meant that the propulsion plant onboard was not used. Instead, the Queen’s Harbour Master (QHM) tug Glendyne was made fast “at the hip” (beside the tug) and moved the vessel from its usual berth to the shipyard, located in Victoria West.It is not every day that a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) vessel traverses Victoria’s Inner Harbour, and the event garnered significant public attention. Crowds of curious onlookers gathered along the boardwalk and in proximity to the Johnson Street Bridge, which connects Victoria’s downtown with Victoria West. Vehicle traffic was briefly interrupted when the bridge was raised to allow the two vessels to pass. “The challenging part is going under the bridge with Renard on the hip,” said Brian Whittaker, the QHM pilot in charge of the evolution. The entire operation, however, went smoothly and both the tug and Renard arrived safe and on time at Point Hope Maritime Shipyard. PCT Renard 58 is one of eight Orca-Class Patrol Craft Training Unit (PCTU) vessels that the RCN operates. The “Orcas” are maintained by an in-service support contract (ISSC) through civilian contractors as well as PCTU personnel. Operating year-round in and around the Gulf Islands on Canada’s west coast, these vessels are ideal training platforms used to teach junior officers and non-commissioned members. PCT...

[caption id="attachment_26999" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Norman Pimlott with daughter Colleen Pimlott-Marsel.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––During the Second World War, Norman Pimlott served as a naval gunner onboard His Majesty’s Canadian Ships Gatineau (1942), Saskatoon (1943), and Trois-Rivières (1944).  Afterwards, he raised a family, built a successful life as a businessman, was employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs as Chairman of the Pension Review Board of Canada, and became a municipal politician. Now, at the age of 96 Norm is adding one more profession to his credentials: author.The Canadian navy veteran decided to share his experiences by detailing life at sea aboard Canadian warships and the exploits defending convoys during the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous military campaign of the war.  His book is titled My Way... Norm’s ups and downs on the Sea of Life.Norm enlisted at a tender age and served more than three years with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserves (RCNVR).  “The War Years were long and arduous,” writes Pimlott. “Somehow, in spite of the many hardships during the war and long hours of duty in all kinds of weather, it still seemed to bring out the best in the young men I was privileged to serve with.” A new adventureBorn on the 4th of July 1925 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Victoria, Norm was youngest of seven children. He joined the Reserve Army at the age of 14 before transferring to the RCNVR two years later in 1941.  Shortly afterwards, he was given 24 hours’ notice to report to duty at HMCS Naden in Esquimalt. Norm was hastily inoculated then transported first to Sydney N.S. for basic training at HMCS Protecteur II, then to Cornwallis for additional instruction.[caption id="attachment_27000" align="aligncenter" width="416"] Norman Pimlott[/caption]“I found myself in a new adventure in the navy,” he recalls. “I was with 100 guys who were also new to the military. We slept on hard curved wooden seats on the train to Sydney [N.S.].”When Norm arrived at the training base in Cornwallis he...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Armed with gloves and garbage bags a team of air cadets completed a cleanup of Belmont Park military housing community on Oct. 4. On a bright, sunny fall morning they took to the streets and tree lines of the West Shore neighbourhood for more than three hours, recovering approximately 25 garbage bags of trash. The team of 17 cadets and four adult staff members were from Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron 848. The majority of recovered items consisted of used medical masks, snack wrappers, plastic grocery bags and cigarette butts. Other items collected included a couch, broken toys and a children’s pool. By day’s end they had filled the back of a flatbed trailer with bagged refuse. The garbage was hauled away by Rolling Tides Construction Inc., who volunteered to dispose of the garbage for the cadets. Lt(N) Courtney Looye, Commanding Officer 848 Sqn. says some residents stopped by to thank the cadets for their efforts while others pointed out where more garbage could be located. In the end she declared their mission a success. Lt(N) Looye was highly impressed by the cadets’ willingness to help and said many of them had gained a true sense of accomplishment by taking part in the cleanup. “How can you feel anything but pride seeing youth, ages 12 to 18, walking through a community picking up garbage?” she asked. “This was a great opportunity for the cadets to get some exercise and fresh air and make their community a better place.” The cadets were required to wear masks along with a thorough washing of their hands after the event. The cleanup was one of the cadets many projects aimed at promoting community service. The squadron’s last community activity occurred in 2019, prior to COVID-19 restrictions, when they collected litter from Esquimalt Lagoon beach....

[caption id="attachment_26990" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Adam Rainsford is a 4th year Shipwright Apprentice and a contributor to the chessboard project. Photo by Michael McWhinnie, LCdr (Ret’d)[/caption]Ashley EvansFMFCB––The team at Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMFCB) pride themselves on their ability to meet any challenge and produce consistently excellent results. Projects vary but regardless of their size or complexity the managers and tradespeople of FMFCB have the range of knowledge and skill to rise to the occasion.Thus, when NETE Senior Engineer Tony DeRosenroll approached the former Commanding Officer, Capt(N) Martin Drews (Retired) for support towards the Broadmead Veterans Memorial Lodge, he approved soliciting the Apprentice Association, confident that something special would be produced.Their President, Kyle Hubicka, accepted the challenge.  Imagination, creativity and attention to detail would be provided by an outstanding group of apprentices who collaborated across a variety of trade specialties to conceive, design and craft a one-of-a-kind chess board for the Charity Golf Tournament and Silent Auction.After a few delays caused by pandemic-related scheduling conflicts, the apprentices came up with the ‘luxury chess set’ idea and were ready to start production by the end of May 2021. The project was a perfect choice as it would showcase the widest range of FMFCB apprentice skillsets and assured the broadest participation by the members of the current cohort. Hubicka said that coming up with an item that would work well for a silent auction was the most challenging part of this project, as it needed to be both generic enough to gain interest from a wide range of bidders, but also thread the needle on being unique enough to stand out.“When Tony contacted me as Acting Apprenticeship Manager, I was excited about this opportunity to showcase the FMF’s apprenticeship programs, skills, and abilities for such a great cause,” said Steve Ringma, Acting Group 2 Manager.Approximately seven apprentices and new journeypersons including Shipwrights, Painters, Electroplaters, Machinists, and Engravers worked on the project, which was accomplished over the span of three months in-between operational requirements of...

[caption id="attachment_26987" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Harry DeWolf traverses under the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver, British Columbia for the first time. Photo by MCpl Nathan Spence, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]SLt Wilson HoUPAR - HMCS Vancouver––On the first weekend of October 2021, HMCS Harry DeWolf successfully completed the historic Northwest Passage voyage from Halifax to Vancouver. Early Friday morning, the ship arrived at the Burrard Dry Dock Pier, at the Lonsdale waterfront in North Vancouver. It was a momentous occasion, as it had been over 50 years since a Royal Canadian Navy vessel had completed the Northwest Passage route. HMCS Harry DeWolf is the first ship of its class, which is also named the Harry DeWolf class, and is primarily designed to patrol and support Canada’s arctic regions.On Sunday morning, HMCS Harry DeWolf departed North Vancouver and sailed through the Straits of Georgia, passing through Haro Strait and Boundary Pass to arrive at Ogden Point, in Victoria late in the afternoon. A large crowd lined Ogden Point, cheering and waving as the ship arrived at its berth. On Monday morning, HMCS Harry DeWolf departed Victoria and made its maiden entrance into CFB Esquimalt. After the long journey, the ship will be in a short work period and personnel will get a chance to get some rest and relaxation. Following the rest period, HMCS Harry DeWolf will continue its maiden journey by transiting through the Panama Canal and is expected to arrive in Halifax in December.––––

[caption id="attachment_26975" align="aligncenter" width="595"] "I am optimistic that my decision to speak publicly about my sexual identity means I will no longer be burdened by the isolation of having to pretend I am someone I am not.” – PO1 Robert Wheaton[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––The Defence Community at Maritime Forces Pacific is preparing to celebrate National Coming Out Day on October 11th during the week of this issue’s publication. The event is a catalyst and will be a turning point in the life of at least one RCN member. National Coming Out Day is an annual event that aims to support LGBTQ2+ people in their efforts to live openly and honestly with their personal identity within the broader community.The event is being organized by the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization (DTPAO). At 8 a.m. on Oct. 11 members of the DTPAO will hoist pride flags and the the rainbow colours will fly prominently at Naden, Work Point and Duntze Head. DTPAO co-chair Steven Cleugh says inclusive policy changes and support are key to enhancing military and operational success for everyone in Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC). “The official recognition of National Coming Out Day at the base is an opportunity to promote understanding and acceptance,” said Cleugh. “The DPATO is here to listen, help and educate people who don’t know about LGBTQ2+ issues.  We support people who are part of the Defence Team with the overall goal of making the workplace a more open and inclusive environment.”The DTPAO was established on Dec. 9, 2020 and is the fifth Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) employment equity advisory group. The DTPAO’s mandate is to offer guidance to the CAF leadership on matters relating to the LGBTQ2+ members, both civilian and military.National Coming Out Day has become an important moment in the life of PO1 Robert Wheaton, a Naval Communicator (NAV COMM) employed...

[caption id="attachment_26972" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Capt(N) Sebastien Richard, Commander Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton, serves breakfast.[/caption]At a ceremony presided by Capt(N) Jeff Hutchinson, Commander CFB Esquimalt, the Maritime Forces Pacific Defence Community launched its 2021 National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign (NDWCC) on Oct. 5 at the Chiefs and Petty Officers’ Mess.  The event entailed the traditional pancake breakfast and inspirational speeches.This year’s kick-off was a success despite limitations on in-person participation resulting from COVID 19 protocols.  In just a few hours, organizers raised over $1,000 for charity.The NDWCC continues to be one of the largest and most successful campaigns of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC), of which it is a part.The CAF/ DND Team has over 1000 volunteers working to make a difference in communities  across the country.In 2020, the NDWCC raised more than $2.5 million, accounting for approximately 8.5 percent of the $29.3 million raised in total throughout the GCWCC.

[caption id="attachment_26960" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Christine Goodridge retired on Sept. 22 after working 38 years as a barber for the military. Pictured here in the barbershop in FMF Cape Scott, Goodridge stands beside a bulletin board full of currency from all around the world, brought to her by sailors over the years. Photo by Joanie Veitch, Trident Newspaper[/caption]Joanie VeitchTrident Newspaper––After 38 years doing military haircuts at CFB Halifax, Christine Goodridge is packing up her clippers. On Sept. 22, she retired from her position as barber at CFB Halifax.She got her start as a military barber in late summer 1983. To put how long ago that was into context, Return of the Jedi was the big blockbuster summer movie that year, and Madonna had just released her debut album.“Thirty-eight years is a long time,” Goodridge says. “I still love cutting hair but I’m tired. You know when it’s time, and it’s time for me.” Goodridge grew up in Mill Cove, NS, near Hubbards. She got her start in the hair-cutting business shortly after finishing her training at the Atlantic Barbering and Hairstyling Academy; she was the youngest registered barber in North America at just 16 years of age.Working first at the iconic Golden Clipper – back when it was still on Spring Garden Road – and then at a hair salon on Dalhousie University campus, Goodridge decided she preferred barbering to hairstyling when a friend recommended her for the military barber job.“The barber up at Stad was having trouble with his barbers, drinking on the job, not showing up, that sort of thing. A friend I’d gone to school with suggested he give me a try.  He did, and it worked out.”Although Goodridge says she was “petrified” when she first started out, she fell in love with the job immediately, especially the pace...

[caption id="attachment_26955" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Volunteers and participants in the Soldier On program set sail on Esquimalt Harbour during a week-long sailing camp at the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) Sept. 20 to 24. Soldier On is a support program which offers sports and recreational activities to serving and retired members with psychological illness or injury. Photos by Nicole Wray/Soldier On[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Five serving and retired military members learned to harness the ocean’s winds and waves by skippering a sailboat as part of a sailing course offered by the Soldier On program.Participants took to the water from Sept. 20 to 24 in 23-foot Sonar Keelboats as part of a competent crew sailing course. The coursing was taught by three instructors from the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA). Soldier On is a Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services program that provides support for serving and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have experienced a physical or psychological illness or injury. Soldier On members across BC are provided with opportunities to try different sport, recreation, and creative activities while connecting with others in their communities.Participants were offered hands-on instruction on the basics of navigating a sailboat including the steps of docking, anchoring, rigging, operating outboard engines, and hoisting sails. The in-class component covered on-water safety, navigation, radio communications, ocean regulations, recognizing weather patterns, and how to handle emergency situations and equipment. To get them into the right mindset, CFSA sailing instructor Marisha Schaefer taught daily sailing-specific yoga and mindfulness sessions. The goal of the course was to provide the opportunity for participants to advance from an entry-level sailing skill set with instructor supervision, to sailing confidently in a command position with an instructor alongside for support.Included in the course was the opportunity to sail as a team in the 36-foot Royal Canadian Navy Sail Training Vessel, “Tuna,” to nearby Cole Island. The course drew rave reviews from participants. “This course included wonderful, positive staff and coaches that were eager to teach us but...

[caption id="attachment_26948" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sentinels aboard HMCS Winnipeg that received refresher training.[/caption]Capt Arnold Noteh Glogauer HMCS Winnipeg––As HMCS Winnipeg set out on Operation Neon and Projection in August, departments nominated Sentinels to participate in refresher training. A refresher workshop was conducted early on in the deployment to bring the Sentinels back to the basics, review some of the fundamentals they may have forgotten, and brush up on new information. The Sentinel initiative is a peer support network established by the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service. The program is based on the understanding that the people we work with every day are in the best position to detect problems a co-worker is having. Sentinels are a group of trained, supervised, non-professionals whose purpose is to improve peer support on a day-to-day basis through a set of behaviours and attitudes they use with their peers. This strategic mental health buddy system is facilitated by empowering Sentinels to identify signs of distress in colleagues, to be able to offer better support, and where appropriate, to encourage an open discussion about their concerns and struggles with their chaplains, commanders, or mental health professionals. 2020 was a challenging year because of COVID where the recognition of Sentinel support was at a premium. Chaplains stationed all over the country continued to conduct Sentinel training; however, only on an online platform. One of the Sentinel’s roles is to ensure that service personnel know how to access support and how to provide support for one another. This is even more essential in a deployment at sea.––––

[caption id="attachment_26944" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Moose 62 is secured to a mooring buoy as part of a unique training opportunity. Photo by SLt Wilson Ho[/caption]SLt Wilson Ho UPAR - HMCS Vancouver––A group of junior officers undergoing the at-sea portion of their Phase IV training recently performed an evolution atypical for the class of vessel upon which they were embarked.“Coming to a buoy” is routinely conducted on Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels Canadian Patrol Frigates as part of readiness training. However, a regular Standard Operating Procedure was recently created for the Orca Class training vessels to be able to safely complete a mooring. The procedure permitted Moose 62 to successfully come to a mooring buoy on Sept. 27 near the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour. Coming to a buoy is an evolution where a ship is secured by attaching the ship’s cable or a hawser to a mooring buoy, which itself is secured by a heavy pendant and embedded anchors on the seabed. It is through the pendant that the forces of wind, tide, current, and waves, acting upon the vessel, are transmitted to the bottom where they are absorbed. It was a slow-time evolution for the students and crew. Led by the senior boatswain’s mate, Sailor First Class (S1) Lee Mihalcheon, the day started off with a detailed brief, followed by a full layout of all the equipment necessary to come to a buoy.[caption id="attachment_26945" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Buoy jumpers attach a hawser to a mooring buoy. Photo by SLt Wilson Ho[/caption]Once everything was deemed in working order, two buoy jumpers were lowered into the ship’s zodiac. When Moose 62 was in position close to the mooring buoy, the buoy jumpers were ordered onto the buoy and received the hawser. Passing through the mooring buoy ring, the hawser was sent back to the ship, and the buoy jumpers were ordered off the buoy. Moose 62 then slowly backed away, putting strain on the mooring buoy. Once complete, the hawser was taken off the mooring buoy...

[caption id="attachment_26941" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Fiona Treen shaves the locks of Cpl Michael Smith, Tour de Rock rider, just after having her own hair clipped as a fundraiser for Cops for Cancer.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––The daughter of a military member raised over $4,000 for this year’s Tour de Rock cycling fundraiser, shedding her locks to get the job done.Fiona Treen, 11, shaved off her long brown hair Sept. 15 at the Military Police detention barracks to support local Tour de Rock rider Cpl Michael Smith. Cpl Smith of the Military Police Unit embarked on this year’s cycling tour of Vancouver Island to benefit pediatric cancer with other military members and first responders. Fiona, daughter of Cdr Colleen O’Brien, wanted to shave her head ever since meeting another girl who had shaved her head for charity two years ago. Due to COVID, she had to wait until this year for the opportunity. Cdr O’Brien, whose husband is a police officer, suggested she support Cpl Smith and the Tour de Rock campaign. The O’Brien-Treen family connected with Cpl Smith and the rest is ‘hairstory.’“My husband bought her some new hats to keep her warm and she wore a Tour de Rock t-shirt to school the next day to explain her new look, which was very well received,” says Cdr O’Brien. Fiona’s hair was donated to make wigs for cancer patients. As a show of support Cpl Smith also went under the clippers. “Fiona is the embodiment of courage and selflessness as shown by her essentially donating her hair to the Tour de Rock,” says Cpl Smith. “Fiona had a smile from ear-to-ear during the head shave and that really struck me when I was on my bike riding on the tour.” This was his third consecutive Tour de Rock ride. The Tour de Rock began in 1998 and sees first responders and military members traverse Vancouver Island on their bicycles. On Sept. 22 and 23, he covered two legs of the tour between Campbell River,...

[caption id="attachment_26935" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Cdr Doug Layton, Winnipeg’s Commanding Officer, took part in a smudging ceremony performed by Cpl Terrance Carrier (left).[/caption]Lt(N) Amélie LeducHMCS Winnipeg––HMCS Winnipeg underwent a special cleansing ceremony, shortly after it set sail, by a crewmember of Cree heritage from the Sucker Creek First Nation in Alberta.Cpl Terrance Carrier, a Medical Technician, volunteered to perform a smudging ceremony to give the ship a “clean start” for its four-month deployment.“HMCS Winnipeg will be our home for the next four months. She will provide for us and protect us. But in order for the Winnipeg to succeed, we need to help her,” said Cpl Carrier. Traditionally, a smudging ceremony is for purifying or cleansing the soul of negative thoughts of a person or place. It can also allow people to remember, connect, and be grounded in the event, task, or purpose at hand, and to let go of negative feelings and thoughts. According to First Nations’ practice, a smudge is normally led by an elder or a person who has an understanding of what a smudge is and why it is done. “I am not an elder. Therefore, I ask for their blessings before I complete a smudge,” explained Cpl Carrier. “I do the best that I am able, and hopefully all who join me in these ceremonies have a positive experience from the smudging.” The ceremony began with a cross-legged Cpl Carrier facing east. He rolled sage and tobacco around a small piece of Chaga (mushroom) chosen for its medicinal characteristics. He then placed the contents into a small cast iron pan and lit it with a wooden match. At the stern of the ship he gestured to the four cardinal points. Facing east, he first cleansed himself. “I felt that Winnipeg will need balance during the sail. I started with my hands, then over my head, and then into my eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. I asked the ship to provide for us, and in return we will...

Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult experiences. For Canadian Armed Forces family members living this reality, the grief they feel isn’t always adequately addressed by civilian bereavement programs. This is the foundation of the Helping Our Peers by Providing Empathy (HOPE) program, which is marking its 15th anniversary.The program offers compassionate, understanding and confidential support that resonates with participants. That’s because it pairs a volunteer who has lost a loved one in the military with a bereaved military family newly coping with loss. In this peer-to-peer model, HOPE works on two tracks: it helps those who volunteer and those they mentor, as both work through their grief in their own way. Peer support has shown to have a significant impact on emotional healing and family wellbeing.HOPE seeks to demystify grief through the unique power of peer support. No matter how resilient an individual is, and military families show this quality every day, grief is overwhelming. The HOPE program provides family members with realistic and honest expectations so they can learn how to cope with their loss.HOPE participant Jim Davis knows this all too well. On the morning of March 2, 2006, he received the call all military family members dread; this one from his daughter-in-law Melanie about his son Cpl Paul Davis. “It was as though I was thrown into another dimension. I was spinning out of control in total confusion,” Davis recalls.It’s a natural reaction for someone in his situation, to want to shut down, to isolate and be alone with their pain. But Davis got another call a month later inviting him to attend a focus group in Edmonton. The topic of the meeting was how bereaved military family members can deal with their grief. He accepted because he recognized that step provided “a...

[caption id="attachment_26922" align="aligncenter" width="595"] National Silver Cross Mother Debbie Sullivan with a plaque presented to her by Cmdre Christopher Robinson, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic. Sullivan officially holds the role of National Silver Cross Mother until Nov. 1, 2021. Photo by Joanie Veitch, Trident Staff[/caption]Joanie Veitch Trident Newspaper––It’s an honour she wishes she hadn’t earned.That’s how National Silver Cross Mother Debbie Sullivan described the mixed emotions she felt following a two-day tour at Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT).Sullivan’s son, Lt(N) Christopher Saunders, was a navy submariner and combat systems engineer who died Oct. 6, 2004, from a fire in HMCS Chicoutimi.  One of four submarines bought from Britain in the late 1990s, Chicoutimi was on its first trip as a Royal Canadian Navy vessel and had left the Scottish port of Faslane en route to Canada just a few days earlier on Oct. 2. “It’s an honour to be here and to have this opportunity to do this tour as the National Silver Cross Mother, but it’s incredibly hard at the same time. I lost my son. I miss him every single day,” Sullivan said. “But just being here and doing this, I feel closer to him.” The Royal Canadian Legion chose Sullivan as the National Silver Cross Mother last November. While she was able to lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Remembrance Day last year, due to COVID-19 restrictions Sullivan was not able to take part in other events and ceremonies she typically would have attended as part of her role.Travelling from her home in Summerville, just outside Saint John, NB, to Halifax a few days early, Sullivan enjoyed extra time with her grandsons Ben and Luke and daughter-in-law, Gwen Manderville, Lt(N) Saunders’ widow, before the MARLANT tour began. Both boys — Ben now a student at Acadia University and...

[caption id="attachment_26919" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Crewmembers from HMCS Goose Bay with a load of backpacks destined for students in Iqaluit. Goose Bay and HMCS Harry DeWolf sailors both delivered backpacks to Arctic communities courtesy of the Halifax and Region Military Family and Resource Centre.[/caption]Lt(N) Lisa TubbHMCS Harry DeWolf––As another school year started at Inuujaq School in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, on Aug. 25, students in a Grade Four class were writing their names on desk placards as the day ended. Little did they know sailors aboard HMCS Harry DeWolf were coming to anchor in the bay, only a few hundred metres from their classroom. After an amphibious landing on the shoreline, a handful of Harry DeWolf sailors made their way to the Inuujaq School with some precious cargo – dozens of backpacks filled with school supplies. These backpacks had been collected by the Halifax and Region Military Family and Resource Centre over the year and given to the crews of Harry DeWolf and HMCS Goose Bay for delivery to communities during their participation in Operation Nanook-Nunkaput 21.Sailor First Class Amy Harris was part of the contingent invited into the fourth-grade classroom to ceremoniously donate the backpacks. “The kids were very surprised and excited. The best part of that experience was after the school had let out, a few sailors and I were still there exploring the village when some of the kids ran up to us and were so excited to show us that they got to take a backpack home.” As a mother of two herself, she added, “It was a surreal experience. We take for granted so many simple things like school supplies, and regard having to go shopping for them as an inconvenience.”During Operation Nanook-Nunkaput 21, Harry DeWolf travelled to several Arctic communities to forge relationships within their affiliated Qikitani...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Six volunteers from Naval Personnel Training Group (NPTG) assisted HeroWorks recent Radical Renovation - the Langford-based Indigenous Perspective Society.With personal protective equipment in place, and tools in hand, they helped in the demolition phase of the project. The preliminary work goes until Oct. 1 and then the Radical Renovation follows with an expected completion of Nov. 20.The Indigenous Perspective Society – Center for Excellence In Community Education (IPS), offers training, consulting, and projects to help foster a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives, cultural differences, and the need for self-determination. A large part of IPS’s programming and training helps to support Indigenous children, youth and families involved in the child welfare system.HeroWorks vision is to transform the building, a former die casting shop, into a culturally relevant and safe space. The goal is to reflect Indigenous cultures and ensure psychological safety for the work that goes on there. Cost of the renovation is estimated at $628,000. It includes the reconfiguration of workspaces to accommodate more participants, increased natural light by adding more skylights, redesign of the building’s interior layout, soundproofing, accessible and gender-neutral washrooms, building façade and landscape redesign, and culturally relevant designed spaces. “I got involved because I learned the HeroWork organization always lends a helping and does some very admirable work,” said LCdr Christopher McKelvey, senior staff officer with NPTG. “It presented me with some volunteer work where I could physically see the results of my efforts immediately.”He helped organize the tool and supply trailer, remove all the lighting tracks on the ceiling, knock down drywall, and remove some of the existing structural walls. Joining him were Capt Catherine Mason, CPO2 Patrick Devaney, MS Kevin Allan, PO1 Darrell Barnes, and SLt Andrew Fors. Two other volunteers from CFB Esquimalt also pitched in. Military members and civilian DND...

[caption id="attachment_26911" align="aligncenter" width="595"] U.S. Navy sailor Lieutenant Junior Grade Kyle Luchau and an HMCS Harry DeWolf crewmember raise the United States flag in commemoration of 9/11.[/caption]Lt(N) Lisa TubbHMCS Harry DeWolf––In the early hours of a Saturday morning at sea in the Canadian Arctic, while deployed on Operation Nanook 21, several crewmembers of HMCS Harry DeWolf solemnly assembled on the starboard bridge wing to raise a flag to half-mast. It was the Flag of the United States that unfurled in the wind. The day was Sept. 11.United States Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Kyle Luchau thought he would be the only person commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks while attached to this Canadian warship. However, as many Canadians did on that day 20 years earlier, the crew of Harry DeWolf jumped at the chance to support their American friend. After raising the American Flag, the Bridge Watchkeeper began a day-long narration of events from Sept 11, 2001, over the ship’s intercom system in real time. Each time the bridge watchkeeper announced the next chronological event – planes taking off, their collisions with the World Trade Centres, the evacuation of lower Manhattan - the crew paused from their task at hand to listen and reflect. LTJG Kyle Luchau had been on board since embarking in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on Aug. 11. His embarkation was conducted with the goal of strengthening his skills as a naval officer through familiarization and experience with Canadian operating systems and procedures, while further fostering the relationship between the two nations. LTJG Luchau was humbled by the response and support he received from his Canadian crewmembers, “Being on this ship for a month now, I’ve learned so much about just how connected we really are, and how much this event has affected Canadians and other...

[caption id="attachment_26908" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Procurement and Contracting Division team recognized for their outstanding efforts are: Brendan Carver, Lynda Lee, Darcie Rolph, Danielle Wickens, Janee Kurk, Marcel Vignola, Michelle Hess, Shirley Choy, Janice Jorgensen, Dalis Hy, Jillian Baxter, Chad Sharratt, Celeine D’Amour, Geno Padovese, Dwayne Stewart, Corinne Readman, Veronica Hackett, Gina Mar, PO2 Joey Espineli, SLt Shaina Sowley, SLt Elias Kanoga, Kevin Lee and Justin Malchow.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––The Base Logistics procurement team has been honoured for their outstanding efforts in keeping the supply chain up and running during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Procurement and Contracting Division is a user-driven cell that provides procurement and contracting services to Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and lodger units. Procurement managers and staff were recently named winners of the Canadian Institute for Procurement and Materiel Management’s Unsung Heroes Award for their superb handling the past year’s challenges. The award will be presented via Zoom on Sept. 29. Procurement and Contracting Officer Brendan Carver says their work is normally a complex and complicated job, but when the COVID-19 pandemic began it presented a “highly volatile and unforeseen procurement challenge.” This was amplified by global supply chain shortages and a litany of other pandemic-related issues. The Unsung Heroes Award is a proud moment for his unit, he says, because the recognition is coming from an organization that represents the greater procurement community within the Government of Canada. “The procurement team’s dedication and professionalism shines through every day and truly enables operations of MARPAC, Joint Task Force Pacific, and their lodger units,” he explains. Carver says procurement became a crucial element during the pandemic. Their work enabled MARPAC to seamlessly continue support of international security operations, domestic pandemic response operations, and immediate disaster response.The 23-member Procurement and Contracting Division team successfully pushed forward several large initiatives in 2020 despite the...

[caption id="attachment_26904" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Harry DeWolf[/caption]Lt(N) Lisa TubbHMCS Harry DeWolf––Canada’s first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship just ticked off two major milestones.As of Sept. 12, HMCS Harry DeWolf has completed its first operational deployment, Operation Nanook 2021, and was the first in its class to sail through northern waters.Op Nanook is Canada’s signature northern operation that has a series of comprehensive activities designed to exercise the defence of Canada and secure our northern regions.For Harry DeWolf, it was no ordinary deployment as this voyage presented an opportunity for the crew to experience an element of Canadiana. Ship and crew charted their northern course via a historic route born from a tragic beginning. For the first time since HMCS Labrador’s northern voyage in 1954, a Royal Canadian Navy ship sailed westward through the Davis Strait to the Beaufort Sea, and successfully traversed a path through the fabled Northwest Passage. It is the same route taken by the infamous 1845 Franklin Expedition, which was lost with all hands in the same area.“Having the opportunity to sail the same route the ill-fated Franklin Expedition did many years ago is like having a classroom at your doorstep,” says Commander Corey Gleason, Harry DeWolf Commanding Officer. “Honing our skills as mariners during Op Nanook, and also being exposed to history and the beauty and culture of the Arctic, it has been a great experience for all on board.”Operation NanookThroughout the operation, Harry DeWolf demonstrated the ability of both its crew and the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship to operate in northern waters. Alongside HMCS Goose Bay and ships from the Canadian Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard, Harry DeWolf participated in exercises that simulated responses to a major maritime incident.Ship’s crew also gained invaluable knowledge from training and working alongside four RCMP personnel and one United States Navy member embarked for the operation. Understanding how domestic and international partners operate in the challenging Arctic environment will only add to the capacity to...

[caption id="attachment_26900" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––The Tritons men’s soccer team returned to action last week with a seven-aside match against a touring team of British Army players. It didn’t matter to Tritons coach PO1 Patrick Robbins that his team surrendered two second-half goals in a 3-1 loss to British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Alberta. What did matter was how his charges performed after a nearly two-year layoff due to the global pandemic.Many of his players are new to the Tritons, a team that hasn’t kicked a ball in more than 17 months since COVID-19 health measures were implemented.“This was our first game in a long time and a good challenge for our guys against a young and fit team from Alberta by way of the United Kingdom,” he says. “I thought our passing was very strong and this new group of players worked very well together, but there were also some things we will need to work on.”[caption id="attachment_26901" align="aligncenter" width="595"] The men’s Tritons and British Army Training Unit Suffield soccer teams after a friendly soccer game.[/caption]The game was played at the Gorge Soccer Association’s Hampton Park Turf field in Esquimalt. BATUS held a 1-0 lead on a header from LCpl Alex Clark until 10 minutes after the halftime break. That’s when Tritons striker S3 Joshua Charles caught the opposition defence napping and struck a hard right-footed blast past the BATUS goalkeeper.“I saw the opening and hit a pretty good shot with my right foot into the top corner of their net,” says S3 Charles.S3 Charles, currently posted to Naden as a Naval Electronic Sensor Operator, lamented his team’s missed chances while acknowledging the skill and ability of the opposition.Only moments after S3 Charles’ equaliser, BATUS regained their lead with an equally clinical finish from visitor Cpl Scriven whose well-placed shot found the back of the net.Ten minutes from full time, an unmarked Sgt Oliver Tonks of BATUS struck for his team’s third...

[caption id="attachment_26853" align="aligncenter" width="595"] MCpl Kwaku Amoateng and his son Jordan.[/caption]Camille DouglasTotem Times Newspaper––MCpl Kwaku Amoateng is a firefighter at 19 Wing Comox who spends his spare time drawing. In fact, he is a graphic artist who recently published a book: The Magic Umbrella: Bratasaurus Vs Tyrannosaurus.“I wrote and illustrated a book about me and my son Jordan - the fun times and the challenges we face,” says MCpl Amoateng. “I had always dreamed about writing a children’s book, but when the reality of me being separated from my son became imminent (due to a posting), I specifically chose to write a book series about us.”Jordan was diagnosed with autism at the age of three while MCpl Amoateng was working at 12 Wing Shearwater. Now, at nine years old, Jordan is a happy child attending school and making significant progress thanks to the support he received at the Shearwater MFRC.Through the MFRC, MCpl Amoateng and Jordan were introduced to an Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) team that focuses on developing functional social communication skills for children with special needs.“He’s come a long way and he’s shown a lot of improvements. The MFRC and the EIBI team really helped kickstart that for him, which was crucial for us,” MCpl Amoateng said.A posting to 19 Wing Comox resulted in a separation for MCpl Amoateng’s family as Jordan’s support system is in Nova Scotia. “Writing this book was a coping mechanism. I feel his physical presence when I illustrate him and remember the adventures we had.”The Magic Umbrella is the story of Kwadan and Jorku; it invites readers to join them under their beautiful magical umbrella and soar to exciting places as they see different things while learning to understand and communicate with each other. Kwadan and his son Jorku are very different in how they speak, which is sometimes frustrating. The pair learn to not be dinosaurs to each other.MCpl Amoateng plans to create three additional series of the book. To purchase...

[caption id="attachment_26850" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Goose Bay is seen sailing alongside US Coast Guard Ships Escanaba (left) and Richard Snyder (centre) during the early portion of Operation Nanook. Photo by Cpl Simon Arcand[/caption]MCDV enjoys a namesake community visit and other activities in Canada’s northJoanie VeitchTrident Newspaper––After 39 days covering more than 12,000 kilometres, HMCS Goose Bay returned to Halifax on Sept. 10 from a very memorable deployment — one that included participating in Operation Nanook and a namesake community visit to Happy Valley-Goose Bay.Although Goose Bay was only in port for four days from Sept. 2 to 5, the crew made the most of the available time, meeting with members of 5 Wing Goose Bay, the Mayor, and representatives of the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. They also met with the family of Dr. Doris Saunders, the ship’s sponsor who passed away in 2006. More than 200 residents took tours of the ship, all with COVID protocols and precautions in place.The crew also got some “fuzz therapy” on a visit to the Happy Valley-Goose Bay SPCA — the ship’s charity — where they donated $1,000 to help with medical and shelter costs, and to cuddle some cute critters.“We had to check everyone’s pockets and backpacks after that visit to make sure no one tried to smuggle any of them aboard ship,” joked LCdr Daniel Rice, Goose Bay’s Commanding Officer.The deployment was Goose Bay’s first since before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Atlantic shores, cancelling the ship’s scheduled involvement in BALTOPS (Baltic Operations) in June 2020 and again scuttling its role in Operation Projection in January 2021.“We missed two out of two deployments over the past 18 months so we were really ready for this one,” said LCdr Rice.Midway through Operation Nanook, an annual joint exercise in the Canadian Arctic, HMCS...

[caption id="attachment_26882" align="aligncenter" width="595"] CPO1 Peggy Bradford.[/caption]Joanie VeitchTrident Newspaper––When Chief Petty Officer First Class Peggy Bradford joined the Naval Reserve in 1981, she had no idea she had found her career path. She was simply a kid in Grade 11 thrilled to have landed a good summer job. In July, CPO1 Bradford celebrated 40 years of service as a naval reservist.“I’ve loved it all the way, and I’m still enjoying what I do,” she says. “Being in the military, either the Regular Force or the Reserve, helps to bring out skills you didn’t know you had. You learn so much and have lots of opportunities for leadership. I think it’s a wonderful career.”She continued with the Reserve through her final year of high school and as she completed training in Business Administration at the Nova Scotia Community College. That administrative training opened the door to more opportunity.“I was fortunate I got to work full-time with the Naval Reserve doing administrative work for a program that later became the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels,” she says.Marrying her husband Trent — a Regular Force engineering officer — in 1989, the couple moved to the West Coast after he was posted to HMCS Ottawa in Esquimalt. Having always lived on Canada’s East Coast, CPO1 Bradford was excited to move across the country, where she accepted a contract as the Naval Reserve training coordinator at Canadian Forces Fleet School (CFFS) Esquimalt.Balancing two full-time navy schedules when their son was born in 1993 wasn’t always easy, she says.“We were lucky to have grandparents who could pitch in when we were both away. It was still really hard when we were both on deployment, but we knew we were fortunate having them so close.”Being appointed Coxswain of HMCS Whitehorse in 2004 was a career highlight, she says.“That’s the pinnacle job for any non-commissioned member. It was a bit scary as it had been some time since I was posted to a ship; things had changed and with a...