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[caption id="attachment_23333" align="alignnone" width="591"] SLt Jason Wychopen takes a bearing from the bridge of HMCS Calgary during Directed Ship Readiness Training.[/caption] SLt Greg Menzies, HMCS Calgary PAO ~It’s not every day a Naval Warfare Officer can complete the Naval Officer Professional Qualification (NOPQ) while at sea.In fact, on the west coast it’s quite rare, and that’s why is was a big deal for Sub-Lieutenant Jason Wychopen. The NOPQ board is a test where a Naval Warfare Officer is ‘boarded’ before several senior naval officers that specialize in all aspects of operating a warship. They become eligible to challenge the board after completing an NOPQ package that contains hundreds of prerequisite signatures that ensure they are proficient in all inner workings of a warship. This process typically takes two years. Once they have completed the package and are nominated by their captain, a Naval Warfare Officer is given notice they will be boarded. Preparation is usually a few weeks of studying material to better prepare for this extensive test. For SLt Wychopen, he was given one hour’s notice while sailing in HMCS Calgary. Calgary is currently doing its Directed Sea Readiness Training program while participating in a Task Group Exercise with HMC Ships Regina, Brandon, Whitehorse, Nanaimo, and two Orca-Class Patrol Craft Training (PCT) Vessels, PCT Cougar and Wolf, off the coast of Vancouver Island. “As result of having Sea Training (Pacific) and the Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific and his staff on board Calgary, there was the correct number of assessment personnel to convene a qualification board,” said SLt Wychopen. The board involves two parts; the first being theoretical, where senior officers ask questions that pertain to Officer of the Watch work. These are skill-testing questions that ensure the fundamentals of being a Naval Warfare Officer are understood. The second part is conducted practically...

  2Lt Travis Winship, Base Adminstration ~A TEAM STORY FROM BASE ADMINISTRATIONNelles Block is both an accommodation centre, much like a hotel, and a barracks, where rules and regulations are to be followed. Military members are the primary residents – currently 431 are being housed in the three-storey building. As they come and go, their primary interaction with front end staff is with Commissionaires Dave Brand, 70, and Howie Becker, 75. Their positions have been deemed a critical core service during the COVID-19 crisis. Cmre Becker manages the front desk taking bookings, billing for residents’ stay, and other clerical duties. A Plexiglas panel has been installed at the front desk to mitigate potential contamination between residents and himself. Cmre Brand manages maintenance, keeping the building clean, including six washrooms, and organizing required repairs. Reduced on-site manning has added to his workload, so he tackles any extra required cleaning. The two serve as ad hoc barrack wardens, reminding residents to adhere to the physical distancing policy. In the washrooms, every second toilet and sink has been disabled to ensure physical distancing, and posters are placed wherever there’s empty wall space. “We are also like den mothers,” says Cmre Brand. “Some of these members left home when they were 18 immediately to join the military.” They’ve been known to lend an ear and give advice to their young wards. Both have worked for the Commissionaires for years – Cmre Brand for eight years with a little over a year at Nelles Block, and Cmre Becker for 12 years, six at the Naden accommodation centre. Before this work, they both had other careers; Cmre Brand was a car business service manager, and Cmre Becker was a nurse. His wife is also a nurse, so he understands her long work hours and COVID-19 protocols to keep their...

[caption id="attachment_23324" align="alignnone" width="591"] LS Seunghee Ryu prepares a creole sauce on board HMCS Calgary.[/caption]Lt(N) Greg Menzies, HMCS Calgary Public Affairs OfficerHard work, exceptional skills, and many achievements recently earned Leading Seaman Seunghee Ryu the title Canadian Fleet Pacific 2019 Sailor of the Year. The award recognizes the accomplishments of junior sailors in a positive and meaningful way and considers their professionalism, dress and deportment, job performance, volunteer and community service, and other achievements.For eight years she has been honing her skills as a cook. “Being a cook is one of the most satisfying jobs in the Royal Canadian Navy because of how it affects the morale of my shipmates,” said LS Ryu, currently a cook on board HMCS Calgary. She developed a taste for the trade from her parents who opened two restaurants after immigrating to Canada from Seoul, South Korea, in 2006.She has sailed in HMC Ships Vancouver, Nanaimo, Saskatoon, Whitehorse, and Yellowknife, as well as the Orca Class Patrol Craft Training Vessels before being posted to Calgary in 2018. She accumulated 437 sea days during her time in these ships and has been on three deployments.During a brief shore posting, she was employed in a leadership role at the Wardroom where she cooked for the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific and was responsible for catering and managing the main dining hall.  Her hard work and dedication got the attention of her supervisors who nominated her to attend the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in Courseulles-Sur-Mer, France, in June 2019.“I consider every moment in the Royal Canadian Navy to be the highlight of my career. If all the people I had met and worked with weren’t around, I would never have had such an amazing journey so far. I am grateful and thankful for all of this.”During Calgary’s Basic Single Ship Readiness Training program last summer, LS Ryu received the Sea Training (Pacific) Commanding Officer’s coin for an outstanding job.  During Calgary’s Intermediate Multi-Ship Readiness Training program last fall, the entire...

[caption id="attachment_23300" align="alignnone" width="591"] LCdr Lorraine Sammut, HMCS Calgary Executive Officer, hands a package to a crew member. Photo by Corporal Jay Naples, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]SLt Joshua Ehnisz, MARPAC PA OfficeCare packages help connect deployed sailors to their loved ones on shore. Two weeks ago, a large delivery was made to HMCS Calgary, HMCS Regina, and HMCS Brandon, all currently deployed off Vancouver Island. Letters and parcels brimming with eatable goodies were delivered through the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre care package program. Special protocols were in place to ensure sailors remain COVID-19 free, including packaging instructions and a three-day hold before mail is distributed. "Esquimalt MFRC supports families experiencing the deployment of their loved one,” said Jackie Carlé, MFRC Executive Director. “One of our more popular services is being a drop off point for morale mail. The Fleet Mail Office picks up the parcels from us, screens them, and ensures delivery to the ship. This mail drop off was a little unique due to the COVID-19 crisis and Operation Laser directives. Families were so grateful for the opportunity to put together care packages and we love hearing about how these packages raise morale.”To learn more about deployment services and future morale mail drop offs connect with the MFRC or join a deployed warship’s Family Network – all info available at www.esquimaltmfrc.com

[caption id="attachment_23319" align="alignnone" width="591"] LS Evan Hodgson, a Naval Communicator in HMCS Nanaimo, studies Managerial Accounting while at sea. Photo by Capt Lisa Evong, HMCS Nanaimo Public Affairs Officer[/caption]By Captain Lisa Evong, HMCS Nanaimo PAO ~Leading Seaman Evan Hodgson is currently working on his post-secondary studies while serving in HMCS Nanaimo.The Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel was deployed on Operation Caribbe  earlier this year and is now off the coast of Vancouver Island as a part of Operation Laser.It’s a tricky balance between his work as a Naval Communicator and his homework. He is enrolled in a Bachelor of Business Administration program at Yorkville University as a full-time student.“Yorkville University has a great relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and is aware of the challenges some CAF members face due to unusual work environments and schedules,” he said. The university offers Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition that allow military work experience and courses to count towards university credits. It also has a special deployment policy that allows CAF students to work around their hectic operational tempo. Internet connectivity at sea is not always a guarantee. Without a consistent, stable internet connection, LS Hodgson runs the risk of being late with his assignments, papers, and exams. So, he must be very organized and maintain excellent communications with his chain of command, his professors, and peers at the university in case his at-sea schedule delays his schoolwork.He attended university for a year after high school, and then moved to Vancouver Island to undertake a four-year contract with the Naval Reserves.But he didn’t relinquish his civilian studies. In 2018, he joined Yorkville University’s BBA program.He just completed one of his final exams in Managerial Accounting. This is one of three courses he committed to while deployed on Operation Caribbe. He has 14 courses left before graduating...

Caroline Roy, Contributor ~There’s no question, we’re amid a worldwide anxiety epidemic. According to the World Health Organization, one in 13 people globally suffer from anxiety. In the U.S. alone, nearly 40 million people experience an anxiety disorder each year. Of those 40 million, approximately two-thirds are women and eight per cent are children and teenagers. So, it comes as no surprise that many of those struggling with anxiety are looking for support and treatment—including how to reduce anxiety naturally. Everyone experiences stress and anxiety at some point in life, but for too many people it’s becoming the norm. Scary fact: stress and anxiety can be deadly if not addressed.If you grapple with anxiety, you may be wondering: What’s the best way to manage my anxiety? Is medication the only option? Are there ways to naturally reduce anxiety? Fortunately, there’s an entire arsenal of ways you can manage and reduce stress and anxiety. You could also find the best CBD vapes if you want to feel a little better.Today, I’ll dive into the multi-layered topic of anxiety, what your anxiety could be telling you, and arm you with some techniques and support options for the next time it rears its ugly head.But first, let’s talk a bit about what anxiety is, and some of the ways anxiety manifests in the body. What is Anxiety?In simple terms, anxiety is how your body reacts to stress, and it can present with both physical and psychological features. The feeling of anxiety is thought to originate in the amygdala part of the brain that controls many intense emotional responses. Anxiety is your normal, built-in, biological mechanism to put your body on high alert and it prepares you to fight a perceived crisis. However, if it becomes chronic, anxiety can become detrimental and can damage both your mental and physical health. Furthermore, anxiety has...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Fatigued and overworked frontline workers now have a place to rest in-between shifts. Honorary Captain Mandy Farmer, owner of Accent Inns and Hotel Zed, is giving an at-cost rate of $59 per night for essential service workers. A call to the front desk from a nurse three weeks ago shone a light on the need for a safe resting place. “She was on the verge of tears,” said Farmer. “Her co-workers were sleeping in cars because they were terrified of bringing the virus home to their families after a long shift. When we heard there was a need in our community, we acted fast to be able to support our essential services workers on the front lines with a rock-bottom rate.”All five Accent Inns locations in Victoria, Burnaby, Vancouver Airport (Richmond), Kamloops and Kelowna offer the special rate. “Right now, we are asking these people to risk their own health and safety to work with the general public. Accent Inns has always been tightly connected to our communities within B.C. and we know these essential services workers need to be taken care of.”It’s not just hospital staff that can stay at Accent Inns; the offer extends to first responders and grocery store clerks. The hotel design allows a guest to park their car and go straight to their room without having multiple touch points such as hallways and elevators. Cleaning staff adhere to strict cleaning and safety protocols in the workplace to ensure a COVID-19 free environment.The hotel chain has recently partnered with the United Way of Greater Victoria to establish a Hotels for Frontline Workers program. The charitable fund is part of the United Way’s Local Love in a Global Crisis initiative. “After we announced this program, I couldn’t believe how quickly our phone lines lit...

Jon Chabun, MFRC ~The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) to adapt how it does in-person confidential sessions with clients. You can now meet with a MFRC social worker or counsellor virtually using your computer, smartphone, or tablet. “We have taken every precaution to ensure the confidentiality of clients,” said Jackie Carlé, MFRC executive director. “We considered eight platforms and wanted something that was user friendly but could meet our privacy requirements.” The MFRC selected Zoom Business to deliver virtual counselling sessions. Other organizations such as hospitals and clinics use Zoom to connect with clients virtually.  The MFRC will only be using Canadian servers to support sessions, and the service will be compliant with federal and provincial security standards. Each session will use a password to further protect it. “We acknowledge recent concerns on the product but believe going forward this will be the most secure platform for our community,” said Carlé. “Zoom has moved quickly to address security concerns and we have trained our staff to use security best practices.”Smartphone or tablet users can download the Zoom app from the App Store or Google Play. Computer users will receive a prompt to download and install an add-on for their computer.  Clients will then receive meeting invites by email.     The MFRC purchased a Zoom Business account that includes 10 licenses for staff.  The organization also plans to offer virtual meetups of popular groups and shift more of its workshops to an online platform.    For clients to have a good experience with online sessions, the MFRC recommends a few strategies. People should find a distraction-free space in their home with good lighting, use headphones, and limit other internet use in their home during the session.During the pandemic, new and existing clients can book an appointment by...

Base Public AffairsWhile Canada and the world grapple with COVID-19, a solemn reminder of a past globe-spanning struggle that bonds the Royal Canadian Navy and the Township of Esquimalt took place last week.Last Thursday, April 16, marked the 75th anniversary of the sinking of HMCS Esquimalt and the loss of 44 sailors near Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Bangor-class minesweeper succumbed to a torpedo launched by a German U-Boat and became the last Canadian warship lost to enemy action during both the Battle of the Atlantic and the Second World War.  The usual ceremony commemorating the attack, traditionally held at a memorial cairn in the Township of Esquimalt, could not be held this year, so Captain (Navy) Sam Sader, Base Commander, took the time to remember the courage and sacrifice of the ship’s crew. He visited the memorial on the anniversary to lay a wreath on behalf of CFB Esquimalt.“The loss of HMCS Esquimalt in many ways marked the end of the longest campaign of both the Second World War and the Royal Canadian Navy,” said Capt(N) Sader. “The enemy may have won that day but it was the surviving crew of Esquimalt, this country, and the Allies who ultimately triumphed.”The sinking of HMCS Esquimalt and the subsequent ordeal endured by the survivors in the frigid approaches to Halifax Harbour serves as a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit. When the German submarine U-190’s torpedo struck Esquimalt on its starboard quarter, it lost power instantly, preventing any distress signal, and sunk in less than four minutes. As the crew scrambled out to carley floats, most were lightly clothed.Due to the lack of a distress signal and miscommunication, survivors spent six hours, within sight of Halifax, awaited rescuing. Many perished from exposure in the freezing water. Of the 71 men on board, 27 survived after being rescued by HMCS Sarnia.“It is hard to imagine what it was like for those sailors, freezing and yet so close to shore and home, wondering when...

[caption id="attachment_23289" align="alignnone" width="591"] Sergeant Joanna Cisneros from the Royal Westminster Regiment inspect a warehouse in Langley, British Columbia, that will potentially be used to store incoming shipments of Personal Protective Equipment for the Government of Canada. Photo by Pte Daniel Pereira, 39 CBG Public Affairs[/caption]Capt Jeff Manney, Public Affairs Officer, 39 Canadian Brigade Group ~Befitting a period where the extraordinary is the new norm, the call-up of Primary Reservists across the country has reached a telling milestone.The nation-wide activation of Reservists – just under 1,000 in British Columbia alone between the Navy Reserve, 39 Canadian Brigade Group, and the Canadian Rangers – is set to be the largest since the beginning of the Second World War. “The response of our forces to this crisis has been overwhelming, and heartwarming,” says Col Paul Ursich, Commander 39 Canadian Brigade Group, headquartered in Vancouver. “We’ve watched in awe as healthcare providers, first responders, and grocery store clerks have taken up positions on the front lines. I know our Reservists and their Regular Force counterparts are just as eager to step up and do what they can for their fellow Canadians.”Canadian Armed Forces activity in B.C. to date has been confined mostly to planning and preparation, readying forces to respond when either the provincial or federal government makes an official “Request for Assistance.” Complicating the matter is that Reservists in B.C. must juggle any potential response to COVID-19 with their responsibility to support government agencies following natural disasters such as wildfires or floods. “Our COVID-19 response, under Operation Laser, is first and foremost in our sights,” says Col Ursich. “But Mother Nature is only just coming out of hibernation; we’ve got to anticipate that we might need to help fight floods, fires or any other type of natural disaster while we continue to cope with the...

[caption id="attachment_23276" align="alignnone" width="591"] Mead Simon adjusts one of the creations from Mead Simon Chainmail Designs. Simon is a chain-mail artist, jeweler, and fashion designer. Photo credit Shoghi Simon.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Like all business throughout Canada, small business owners in Victoria’s military community are under a healthy dose of financial uncertainty due to COVID-19 and physical distancing measures. While each of them sells a different product and has varying challenges in their home workspace, each remain hopeful their business will survive despite the recent economic slowdown as a result of the global pandemic.Sweetlegs Victoria Naval Cadet Mandy Patzer own SweetlegsVictoria with Mandy, a clothing business that sells high-quality leggings, shirts and accessories. She relies heavily on e-commerce, but her sales have dropped off severely when everyone’s financial security was hit with uncertainty. She recently placed an order for $900 worth of merchandise just prior to the start of physical distancing and stay-at-home measures. Over three weeks later, half the products haven’t been paid and picked. “By the time the shipment came in many people no longer wanted what I had bought for them, and I have been left holding the bag,” she says. “I am not allowed to pre-sell products and this is concerning right now since all of the products I sell are bought and paid for with my own money on promises that people won’t back out.”She is a Regular Force member and is attending the University of Victoria as a member of the Regular Officer Training Program. Classes are now online as she enters her fourth and final year of the program.She has been involved in private clothing sales for over 3 years. She’s confident that despite the initial lull in sales, people in Victoria’s military community will continue to support her business. She is already adjusting and charting a new path forward, likening the situation to the chickens she raises on her property to supplement the family food budget. “It’s all about not putting all your...

2Lt Travis Winship, Contributor ~Despite the reduction of on-site manning around the base, people need to be fed at Nelles Galley.A team of cooks at the mess are doing what they can in this time of COVID-19 to keep the morale up through tasty, healthy food for members that live on base. Food services are essential, and given the physical distancing protection measures put in place, the disruption has affected the sense of normalcy. The constantly evolving situation keeps Cpl Michelle Vissers, Nelles Block shift leader, on her toes, and the entire team is working hard to keep the steam lines open. She runs the floor, which includes passing information up and down the chain of command for operations, and maintenance of the galley. The job revolves around a high stress environment with a constant flow of customers, employee management, paperwork, and much more. Her job is critical in that she is “feeding the members that live on base.”When not at work, she is renovating her home bought last summer by herself and her partner. Since the pandemic, her partner, a service member as well, was recalled back from work in Halifax and has been instructed to self-isolate. This leaves Cpl Vissers to run all the errands while maintaining her work schedule. Even though she follows all the required precautions to stay healthy, she worries that “a careless person can pass germs onto a gas pump, a can of food at the grocery store, anywhere really.” Everyone is aware of the risk of spreading COVID-19 in the workplace, and that is why they collectively take all precautions possible to keep their work space sanitized. After all, food services is a “no fail mission”, she says.

[caption id="attachment_23265" align="alignnone" width="591"] Sub-Lieutenant Jessica Pelletier conducts a proficiency shoot with the C9 rifle. Photo by Capt Lisa Evong, HMCS Nanaimo PAO[/caption]Captain Lisa Evong, HMCS Nanaimo PAO ~Sub-Lieutenant Jessica Pelletier:Rank: NWO, Qualified Bridge WatchkeeperHometown: Matane, QCYears of Service: FourHome Unit: HMCS D’IbervilleThe day Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Jessica Pelletier arrived at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier for basic training four years ago she was given her first challenge – to learn English. “I was the only French-speaking female; I had to share a room with seven other females that only spoke English. Basic training is all about teamwork and communication, which is harder when you can’t understand each other.” She was born and raised in Matane, on the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec, population 15,000. Naval Reservists were almost unheard of in her small-town world, and certainly not an immediate career choice. But a chance encounter with a Canadian Forces Recruiting table at a race in neighbouring Amqui presented a path to adventure. She persevered and overcame the language barrier between herself and her English-speaking comrades and completed all her Naval Warfare Officer (NWO) courses.“I succeeded because I kept pushing to understand and learn as much as I could – quitting was not an option.”During the NWO course, officers are taught to manage and coordinate the operations, ensure the safety of the ship’s company, and direct the ship’s movements on behalf of the Commanding Officer. “Some days were harder than others, but I continued thanks to my team. We supported each other and I liked the challenge.”Graduating Naval Warfare Officer Phase IV was a highlight for her because it had a high failure rate. At age 25, she is a qualified Bridge Watchkeeper on board HMCS Nanaimo - as a lookout and a deck officer she is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship....

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~T he veterans who live at Veterans Memorial Lodge have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Only essential visitors are allowed in, which means veterans can feel isolated from their friends and loved ones. “These are challenging times,” said David Cheperdak, President and CEO of Broadmead Care. “Yet we are finding silver linings at every turn. These include opportunities to advance our purpose to build communities where every person can experience wellbeing and happiness through innovation and creative ideas that keep loved ones connected.”To help people stay connected, Broadmead Care staff have launched two new initiatives designed to strengthen their mental health during the COVID-19 crisis.Keep Connected ProgramThe Keep Connected Program encourages loved ones, members of the military, and others who would like to show their support to send messages or video call through Skype or FaceTime. “Response to the Keep Connected program has been enthusiastic,” said Carson Sage, Manager of Volunteer Services and Innovation Activation. “Since launching March 17, we have delivered nearly 700 messages to people living in our homes. The faces of the residents light up when we read them an email, show them pictures, or help them watch a short video from their families. Connecting through FaceTime is equally well received.”To send a message to a veteran or senior at one of Broadmead Care’s care homes, fill out a contact form by visiting their Keep Connected webpage: www.broadmeadcare.com/send-a-message/.Keep Engaged ProgramA second initiative is the Keep Engaged Program, a campaign to raise money for equipment to improve the overall health of residents living with cognitive decline or physical limitations. Money raised will fund multi-sensory equipment to create soothing sounds and music, lighting effects, aromas, and tactile experiences; an expanded gardening program with wheelchair-accessible garden beds, tools, and reaching aids; and activity kits designed to bring back...

[caption id="attachment_23251" align="alignnone" width="591"] Lt(N) Sean Milley with his family.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A cancer survivor from CFB Esquimalt has established a peer support network for military members and their families coping with their own fight against cancer. Onward was launched earlier this month by Lt(N) Sean Milley, who recovered from testicular cancer in 2017. He beat cancer through early detection and is now helping Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members fighting the disease.“Since I was diagnosed, eight individuals from Victoria and across the country reached out to me with questions about cancer. I know in my situation it certainly helped to have people to talk to, people who have lived through cancer.”The support network is a members-only Facebook Page that provides informal support to those undergoing treatment and those who have overcome it. Within two weeks of its launch, 15 people have joined. The plan is to grow Onward across Canada’s military community to let people know there is someone to talk to, that there is hope, and a path forward. “We are not here to provide medical advice; our aim is to provide informal help to those battling cancer, to help them gain access to existing supports,” said Lt(N) Milley.  “It is a place to ask questions, share stories, and a place to get information about the benefits available to them and their family.” Lt(N) Milley is the Flag Lieutenant for Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific. His recovery story may have been very different if it wasn’t for early detection. Discomfort in his testicles gradually evolved into a pain so severe it was like someone had kicked him, he says. He immediately made an appointment at the base health clinic and was given an ultrasound scan. Test results revealed testicular cancer. “It was a type of cancer that was very volatile and would have given fast transmission to the rest of the body. If you notice something is not right with your body get it checked out. For...

[caption id="attachment_23234" align="alignnone" width="591"] CPO1 Lucie Simpson talks to three women on parade.[/caption] Courtesy the Maple Leaf ~“To see a woman in a senior leadership position is a celebration, a testimony that it is possible.”These words from Chief Petty Officer First Class (CPO1) Lucie Simpson highlight the changes that have taken place in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) over the past few years.As more women join the navy, those trailblazers currently in senior positions have learned how crucial it is to engage, empower and mentor their younger colleagues.“Leadership starts by its own actions, so we need to lead and teach women by showing them the best example and impacting them early in their careers,” says CPO1 Simpson, Canadian Forces Health Services Group Chief Warrant Officer. “Being honest right from the beginning – that joining the RCN will be hard work – but just as rewarding. In recent years, breaking the barriers, women have been highly successful in leadership team roles both ashore and on board ships.”In fact, nine current female CPO1s, the navy’s highest rank of non-commissioned officer, have a total of 263 years of service and 10,050 sea days in the Royal Canadian Navy. They have served as coxswains aboard maritime coastal defence vessels and Canadian patrol frigates, worked in both the Regular and Reserve Forces in wide-ranging trades, and have held leadership positions in shore-based establishments.CPO1 Simpson, a communicator research operator, is the first woman in her trade to serve beyond the formation level. She joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1989. She was posted to Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Huron and Algonquin as a cryptologic direct support element operator, and deployed in HMCS Ottawa for a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia. Her current job is her second senior appointment position; she also served as the Canadian Forces...

[caption id="attachment_23227" align="alignnone" width="591"] A grey dress by AB Li made for her graduation fashion show. It’s a mixture of cotton and leather, with the leather work hand cut by AB Li.[/caption]Melissa Atkinson, Lookout Editor with files from Captain Lisa Evong ~It’s a quiet evening aboard HMCS Nanaimo as the ship’s bow slices cleanly through the Pacific Ocean.The rocking motion isn’t enough to hinder AB Yukii Li’s sketching. On a modest sized pad, she pens her croquis, a fashion world term for an exaggerated tall model form. Bold, black lines connect to create a modern female sailor in a fashion pose – one hand on hip, the other loosely at the side, lanky legs disappearing at the skirt edge. It is a loose drawing, but the talent is obvious.   This is the road not taken. Passion colliding with practicality, but it comes without regret. A few years ago, AB Li was without rank, studying fashion design at Seneca College in her hometown of Toronto. A love of art in high school coupled with an attraction to fashion inspired her to try for one of the most prestigious careers.For three years she learned the A to Z of designing clothes, from an idea to a paper sketch, to sourcing fabrics, buttons, zippers, to measurements to create a pattern, to the construction of a garment. “If everything is done perfect, you can breathe, rest and smile,” she said of the process.Each piece she has created has a hint of inspiration from Japanese fashion, mainly Gothic Lolita and Visual Kei style and Victorian/Baroque era fashion. Her favourite piece is a grey dress from her graduation show. “I put a lot of time and effort into it and am very proud of it. It’s a mixture of cotton and leather. The leather work was hand...

[caption id="attachment_23220" align="alignnone" width="591"] CPO2 Stan Budden’s amazing weight loss is clearly recognizable as he jogs along the New Westminster Quay in Vancouver March 4.[/caption]   Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~ If you ask CPO2 Stan Budden for the secret behind his miraculous weight loss, he is quick to tell. “It really has a lot to do with the old adage: You lose ounces in the gym, but pounds in the kitchen,” he says. A little determination didn’t hurt either, he adds. Two years ago, at 5’ 10”, he weighed 280 pounds. The healthy weight of someone that size is 160 pounds. More than 40 pounds over that average is categorized as very severely obese. “When I worked as an engineer on Canadian warships I would work long shifts and always go for that quick fix of fast foods like pizza or big heavy sandwiches,” says CPO2 Budden. “I had been overweight for much of my adult life and eventually realized I was in a vicious cycle.” Over his 24 years in the navy, his weight slowly ballooned. What was once an easy fitness test, became difficult to pass, although he never failed the test. With the weight gain, came depression and anxiety. It was looking at the Canadian Armed Forces Mental Health Continuum that alerted him to his health issues. Once he sought help for his mental health problems, dealing with the weight was the natural next step. He was assisted in this by an understanding chain of command and by two Personnel Support Programs (PSP) staff members, Alyssa Jesson (Victoria) and Sean Hommerson (Vancouver), who helped him develop fitness goals and provided support when it got hard. They advised he stop trying to find the most effective diet pill and instead change his eating habits – pay attention to...

[caption id="attachment_23216" align="alignnone" width="590"] Lt(N) Jennifer Loye during a Task Force Mali Forward Aeromedical Training in the vicinity of Gao to keep their skills sharp while deployed on Operation Presence. Canadian Armed Forces photo.[/caption]DND ~W hen the call came over the radio that numerous UN soldiers had been injured and needed to be evacuated by helicopter, Lieutenant (Navy) Jennifer Loye and her team were ready to help.During the six months she had been working as the senior aero-medevac nurse at a German basecamp in Gao, Mali, for Operation Presence, she had been conducting simulations with her team and their international partners involved in saving lives using Canada’s Chinooks as flying emergency rooms.The call said there were multiple casualties from gunfire and explosives.“We knew it was going to be a multi-casualty situation and that it was quite far away,” said Lt(N) Loye. “It surprised us all. It happened very quickly. I remember the call coming in.”An al-Qaida-linked group would later claim responsibility for the attack on a group of UN peacekeepers in Aguelhok, a village 450 kilometres north of Gao. The UN’s mission is to increase peace and stability in the region after a resurgence in extremism over the past few years.After grabbing the supplies she thought she would need—extra painkillers and blood product—it took over an hour to reach the injured soldiers by helicopter.Once the team arrived, they landed to drop off the doctor and medics, to scope out the area, and to prepare the injured soldiers to board the helicopter.Helicopters are most vulnerable when on the ground, so they took off immediately.“We landed and they got off. That for me was the most memorable part of the tour,” said Lt(N) Loye. “The feeling of leaving people on the ground—part of your team, right? Nobody quite knowing at that point what...

[caption id="attachment_23211" align="alignnone" width="592"] Commander Jason Bergen, Commanding Officer of HMCS Nanaimo. Photo by Patrick Fisher.[/caption]Captain Lisa Evong, HMCS Nanaimo PAO ~For three months, Commander Jason Bergen has been a long way from his hometown of Saskatoon, with the icy South Saskatchewan River bisecting the city, and a blanket of snow draped over the cityscape. Up until a week ago, he was 5,000 kilometres away in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean, seated in the captain’s chair on board HMCS Nanaimo.Accompanied by sister warship HMCS Whitehorse, the two Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels were deployed on Operation Caribbe, Canada’s contribution to a U.S.-led, multi-agency effort to monitor, detect, and deter illicit trafficking in the region.In addition to leading his ship, Cdr Bergen was also Maritime Task Force Commander for the operation. While both ships were called back early because of the COVID-19 outbreak, he and his crew were still able to aid the embarked U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement team in seizing 1,104 kilograms of cocaine from a Panga, preventing approximately $42M USD worth of illicit drugs from entering communities. He attributes mission success to his skilled, dependable crew. As their leader, he uses mentoring and coaching techniques directly attributed to Ross Wilson, his baseball coach at Walter Murray Collegiate Institute two decades ago. Coach Wilson taught his team that sportsmanship and being a “class-act” was not tied to a skill level or socio-economic background, but to a person’s behaviour when things got tough - when it mattered most, says Cdr Bergen. “He was adamant that everyone on the team had a role to play, regardless of points scored.”Just like a team, every member of a ship’s company has a role to play, from the Commanding Officer all the way down to the most junior member. Leadership can be displayed in...

[caption id="attachment_23198" align="alignnone" width="591"] HMCS Calgary conducts a surface firing exercise during the Directed Sea Readiness Training Program off the coast of Vancouver Island March 28. Photo by Corporal Jay Naples, MARPAC Imaging Services.[/caption] Lt(N) Greg Menzies, HMCS Calgary PAO ~It was a loud, clear message that boomed throughout HMCS Calgary – a general alarm every sailor knows and trains to address.“Emergency Stations, emergency stations:  Fire, fire fire, fire in zone three golf in the machinery control room.” As the alarm sounded, the crew knew what needed to be done - fight for their ship. This time it was drill - an integral part of Calgary’s Directed Sea Readiness Training.The training is a specifically tailored at-sea program designed to maintain a ship’s readiness state in the middle of its operational cycle. Using a focused training and evaluation plan, Directed Sea Readiness Training prepares the ship and crew to meet the operational requirements given by the Commander of Canadian Fleet Pacific.Calgary’s road to high readiness started with the Basic Single Ship Readiness Training program after the ship completed several extended and short work periods last summer. This training focused on seamanship, damage control, and safety.  The training develops sailor’s skills to enable a ship to conduct ready duty ship, sea trials, force protection at sea and alongside, and the basic unit force generation necessary to move through a tiered readiness program administered by Sea Training (Pacific). They are the group that provides afloat and alongside collective training, certification, and maintenance of standards for ships and submarines through the continuum of readiness, assuring operationally capable sea power.Upon completion of Basic Single Ship Readiness Training, Calgary progressed to Intermediate Multi-Ship Readiness Training in November operating within a task group environment. This training is designed to develop the ship’s capacity to fight within a multi-ship construct, providing the unit...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A full-time reservist from Victoria is the winner of this year’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) logo design contest. Corporal Elizabeth Sleen, who works as a detachment clerk for the Canadian Armed Forces Recruiting Centre in Victoria, created the winning design for the world’s largest maritime exercise. She entered the contest after seeing a Lookout story calling for designs last August. Cpl Sleen has no professional training in graphic design, and said it was her first-ever attempt at creating a logo. She was not expecting to win. “Winning, it was the furthest from my mind. When I checked my phone and saw the message informing me I had won, I was thrilled with the news but also a little bit shocked and surprised.”She is the wife of LCdr Darren Sleen, HMCS Regina Executive Officer, whose ship will potentially participate in the multinational exercises to be held off the Hawaiian Islands in June and July. RIMPAC is held every two years with the last exercise involving 25,000 personnel from 25 countries, 46 ships, five submarines, 17 land forces, and more than 200 aircraft. LCdr Sleen said his wife’s winning entry was “an incredibly proud moment” for his entire family. Her logo will appear on RIMPAC’s official branding including stationary, press releases, websites, social media, coins, shirts, hats and more. She beat out more than a dozen entrants to claim top honours. Central in her design is an aircraft carrier and warships sailing in formation, with a backdrop of the world and a trident, and the RIMPAC motto Capable, Adaptive, Partners in a ring around the outside. The third ring is home to Hawaiian flowers, a motif inspired by Hawaiian design, Polynesian art, and tattoo work.“I wanted it to look very classic and vintage, so I went with a...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Cadets from across Canada embarked on a sailing adventure aboard two tall ships of the Sail and Life Training Society (SALTS) earlier this month.Fifty-seven Royal Canadian Sea Cadets returned from their five-day voyage in and around the Southern Gulf Islands on March 13. Each year the Victoria-based SALTS program reaches approximately 1,700 young people between the ages of 13 and 25 with the intention to develop both their sailing and teamwork skills.Lt(N) Shawn Stewart, Information Management Officer with the Regional Cadet Support Unit (RCSU) Pacific, was one of two escort officers for the sail. He says SALTS is exactly the type of programming many cadets are looking for because it engages them in real-life challenges.Cadets and four adult team leaders became the working crew of tall ships Pacific Swift and Pacific Grace under the guidance of SALT’s professional crewmembers. Each ship’s crew was divided into three groups to perform around-the-clock duty watch, which included spotting water hazards and other vessels and anchor watch at night. Other responsibilities included navigation, radio monitoring, sail handling, galley duties, and small boat handling for trips ashore. “This was an opportunity to be crew on a ship, run and maintain the vessel, learn and study seamanship skills on board, go places and explore a coastline that the vast majority have never seen before,” said Lt(N) Stewart. SALTS booking manager Sherilyn Thomson says cadets have sailed with SALTS on a west coast tall ship deployment for the past four years and the reviews have been very favourable. The cadets are always eager to put the skills they’ve been learning with their Corps into practice, she says.“The purpose of our program is to provide an opportunity for young people to be challenged personally and as a group, to take on responsibility, and stretch themselves...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Personnel Support Programs (PSP) staff continue to get creative in supporting the defence community during this tough time. The recreation department has launched an interactive Facebook photo contest with the winner receiving a free children’s birthday party once the Colwood Activity Centre re-opens. The prize is valued at $185; the contest runs until April 6. Participation in the contest is through the PSP Esquimalt CPAC Facebook page. The intention is to provide something fun and challenging for people to do during their time at home, says Gillian Larsen, Manager of PSP’s Community Recreation. “This is a way to engage people and families during this time of self-isolation,” said Larsen. “This contest is geared towards families who were supposed to be having fun doing the activities they love for spring break, but sadly can’t.”Each day the recreation staff will offer a daily post encouraging participants to take part in three themed activities: art, cooking and outdoor activity. Contestants are asked to take pictures of their participation in the activities and then post them to the PSP Esquimalt CPAC  Facebook page.Participants can take part in all three activities for each day and make their submissions at any time until the final day of the contest. Each time they participate and submit a photo their name is entered into a random draw. There is also a fourth way to earn an entry into the draw: by sharing your Facebook post with friends or family. The winner of the birthday party will be notified via Facebook Messenger. The winner of the contest can choose from any of the six themed birthday parties offered by recreation.––––

[caption id="attachment_23085" align="alignnone" width="591"] Capt(N) Stéphane Ouellet, Commander of the Canadian Submarine Force, presented SSM-Expedition medals to members of HMCS Windsor during a ceremony at HMCS Scotian on March 3. Photo by Ryan Melanson, Trident Staff[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Staff ~Prior to entering its current period of maintenance and repair, HMCS Windsor spent nearly four years as a workhorse for the Royal Canadian Navy’s submarine fleet, culminating in a 133-day deployment to Operation Projection Euro-Atlantic through the spring of 2018.Windsor was officially recognized for its success during that deployment on March 3, with the Commander of the Canadian Submarine Force, Capt(N) Stéphane Ouellet, visiting Halifax to present an Operational Service Medal-Expedition to each member of the submarine’s crew.“These medals are to recognize their hard work, dedication and sacrifices, as well as the sacrifices made by families and the hard work they also did to maintain the homefront,” Capt(N) Ouellet said.The SSM-Expedition medals are awarded to personnel who serve in or provide support to overseas operations, with ribbons that acknowledge the specific theatre or task. The submariners from Windsor were awarded for their work during NATO Operation Sea Guardian, which focused on developing a maritime situational awareness picture and combating terrorism, as well as Exercise Dynamic Manta, during which they worked alongside Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 in anti-submarine warfare exercises off the coast of Italy. This was also the first ever deployment to the Mediterranean for a Victoria-class submarine.“This was also the third time we had sent Windsor to Europe since 2014, so that was a very high op tempo for the submarine, which is impressive,” Capt(N) Ouellet added.Along with Cdr Peter Chu, the Commanding Officer of Submarine Sea Training, Capt(N) Oullet presented a medal to each individual member of the crew. One was also presented to Cdr Chu, who was the...

[caption id="attachment_23032" align="alignnone" width="591"] Chuck LaRocque, Chairman of the Royal Canadian Artillery Museum board, and Gunner Kyle Timm of 1 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, show off a pair of medals awarded to legendary Artillery officer Major-General Tom Strange that were purchased by the Royal Canadian Artillery Museum. Photo by Jules Xavier, Shilo Stag, DND Canada[/caption]Jules Xavier, Shilo StagIt wasn’t Christmas, but Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) Museum director Andrew Oakden received a special gift: medals once worn by legendary artillery officer Major-General Tom Strange.The medals, one awarded to MGen Strange for his role in the Northwest Rebellion and the other for service in India, cost more than $50,000. They were purchased from Spink Auction House in the UK with funds raised by the RCA Senate, which works to promote and preserve the RCA’s heritage.Fundraising was led by Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery Colonel Commandant Brigadier General (Retired) J.J. Selbie.Oakden said staff at the auction house brought the medals to the museum’s attention.“They likely saw him listed on our website as a great gunner and thought we would be interested,” he said. “That was true. A sizeable family collection of Strange medals were up for auction, including those of his son, Harry Strange. We were not successful with the bidding on those.” They had 600 lots on the first day of the auction, recalled a beaming Oakden after unpacking the medals, both contained in plastic coverings similar to those used to protect prized hockey cards or comic books. “They started at lot one and went to lot 600. The general’s medals were lot 501. They came up at 10:15 a.m., and bidding ended about a minute later. The auction started 3 a.m. our time, 9 a.m. in London.”“Given the prestige and historical value of the items up for bidding, there were likely many...

[caption id="attachment_23027" align="alignnone" width="591"] Leading Seaman Bryan Ogle, clearance diver from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), completes an ice dive in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Photo by Corporal David Veldman, Dive Task Force Imagery Technician[/caption]Lt(N) Éliane Trahan, Dive Task Force Public Affairs OfficerOperation Nanook takes place each year across the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Labrador. It features up to five deployments throughout the year.One of these deployments was Operation Nanook-Nunalivut in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, which involved the Dive Task Force, from March 2 to 17 with 31 divers from Canada, Finland, France, and Belgium.Clearance Divers, Combat Divers and Port Inspection Divers from the Army and the Navy as well as a Finnish Diver wearing the Air Force uniform were all involved. The Inuit community of Rankin Inlet has approximately 2,000 residents and is one of the most important communities in Canada’s North. It’s a meeting place and hub for the region with all flights to the Kivalliq passing through the bustling Rankin Inlet Airport. The increase in traffic creates new safety and security risks. Canada must be prepared to conduct search and rescue, and to respond to natural and man-made disasters.Operations such as Nanook-Nunalivut demonstrate the presence and capabilities of the Canadian Armed Forces in the Arctic and improve readiness in the region. It is also an opportunity to work with Canadian partners in the North such as members of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. They provided advice and facilitated a smooth integration for the military members into an Arctic environment.“Although winter dive conditions in Halifax consist of cold waters below five degrees Celsius, we rarely have the opportunity to conduct ice-diving operations in the Arctic,” said Lt(N) Kristopher Hicks, Dive Team Officer in Charge. “The dive team’s presence in Rankin Inlet enabled us to revalidate our procedures, test our...

[caption id="attachment_23022" align="alignnone" width="591"] Ron Bath receives the Legion of Honour from Philipe Sutter, Consul General of France.[/caption]~ Peter Mallett, Staff WriterPersonnel from Canada’s navy and army helped make 95-year-old Legion of Honour award recipient Ron Bath’s big moment in the spotlight a little bit brighter.The retired Able Seaman and resident of Graystone Manor in Maple Ridge, B.C., was part of the Allies’ D-Day landings as a member of the Royal Canadian Navy.He received France’s highest order from Consul General of France Philippe Sutter in a March 9 ceremony. Celebrating that moment with him were members of HMCS Vancouver, naval reserve unit HMCS Discovery, and the 15th Field Artillery Regiment.“It’s a great feeling and I am very proud to receive this medal. I was surprised and touched by the number of military personnel who attended,” said Bath.The Legion of Honour award was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and has been awarded to more than 93,000 persons worldwide. In 2015, the French Government began honouring 1,000 Canadian veterans with the award to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing.Bath was directly involved in many beach landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944, and the days that followed, working as a Signalman on landing craft with the RCN’s 262nd Flotilla. Facing enemy fire and great peril, they ferried troops to the beaches of Normandy, including Juno and Omaha. “Receiving this award has brought back memories of those I served with on the landing craft and D-Day itself,” said Bath. In the final months of the war, he served aboard Canadian frigate HMCS La Hulloise as its helmsman, and as an aircraft handler on the aircraft carrier HMCS Warrior. Born in Blyth, England, Bath and his family moved to the former B.C. mining town of Michel (near Nelson B.C.). The navy wasn’t Bath’s...

~ Peter Mallett, Staff WriterStay fit while at home. That’s what CFB Esquimalt Personnel Support Programs (PSP) staff are encouraging people to do during this difficult time. Being active raises endorphins and helps curb the anxiety many people are feeling. For military members, it’s an important piece in their job performance. Last Friday, the fitness team began live streaming classes through their Facebook page: NadenAthleticCentre.“For a lot of people, attending a PT class in person is part of their regular schedule, which they are now unable to do,” said Alyssa Jesson, Manager, Fitness and Sport. “We are assisting those people in maintaining good fitness and wellness practices during this unprecedented time.”The Naden Athletic Centre, like gyms and fitness centres across the city, is closed to patrons. But staff are ready to do online classes from their own homes. PSP fitness instructors are now live streaming their classes between 11 a.m. and noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Personal cell phones capture the sessions, which are typically 45 minutes to an hour long. “Right now, the plan is to include variation in our programming to ensure all fitness levels can be active,” said Jesson. “Knowing that members are doing this from home, our program focus is on movements without equipment.”However, staff will make suggestions on household items that can be used to enhance the workout. The idea was hatched during a brainstorming session by PSP staff on ways they could offer their services while working at home and still benefit the defence team. “To be honest, the idea about remote workouts started as a bit of a joke between one of our instructors and her class patrons, but then it really evolved into something fruitful,” says Jesson. “We have never implemented a practice like this before, but there is no time like the...

Capt Jeff Manney, 39 CBG Public Affairs ~Women thinking about joining Canada’s military had a chance to size up its FORCE test, thanks to an initiative that tied into International Women’s Day. A team from Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre Detachment Victoria administered the FORCE test to curious members of the public at the Ashton Armoury March 8. Over the course of several hours, they tested their fitness against the sandbag raise, the sandbag carry, the sandbag drag, and the shuttle run.“I’m so glad we did this,” said PO2 Heather Smolinski, event organizer. “We really wanted to recognize International Women’s Day by doing something different and the feedback we’ve received has been fantastic.”Participants ranged from teens still in high school to mothers with their husbands beside them in a supporting role. Of the test’s four elements, PO2 Smolinski says the sandbag drag was the most challenging. It requires a person to carry one 20-kilogram sandbag while dragging another four a distance of 20 metres.  For someone weighing just 50kg, moving twice that much weight can be daunting.“Our philosophy today is ‘everyone is welcome, and you can do this,’” she said.  “So, we taught them how to properly warm up, how to prepare themselves, and then we cheered them on to the finish line. We tried to keep things informal and reduce anxiety. A lot of women who are interested in the Forces get hung up about the fitness test and delay applying. Those who came out today now know what they need to work on. But they also know they can do it.”The Canadian Armed Forces have been ramping up their recruiting efforts in the last several years, aiming to push the number of women up from 15 per cent, where it has remained stubbornly lodged. “We want the Canadian Armed Forces to accurately represent the public,” PO2 Smolinski said. “Females make up half of our society, but they are still not well represented in the military. We’ve got to change that. There are...