We’d welcome your feedback on

‘Women in Combat in the Canadian Forces: Brenda’s Story

We may even post your comments on this webpage.

Send comments to infoATdiplomatist.com (where AT = @) with subject marked as ‘Comments Women in Combat’

COMMENTS TO DATE

Brenda's Story is good because it is straight from the heart. It bespeaks intellectual honesty. Above all there are no embellishments.

Maj. Gen. (Ret’d) V. Saighal, New Delhi
 

Hi Brenda, I am glad you did not face any harassment or bias. I have met many different women in combat zones and feel that it brings about a very good gender balance. It also destroys the macho image that men in some of these cultures have that they are fighting with other men. When their families get to know that they have been in combat all day with women I am sure that the pseudo macho image will get destroyed. We should try and aim to have all women contingents and it should be advertized that we are sending an all women contingent to Afghanistan, to fight the terrorists.

Rohit Gandhi
New Delhi
International News Correspondent

Editor’s Note: All-woman contingent. Good idea Rohit. That would zap their egos

Having met her back in Year 2000 as a greenhorn soldier who had then recently joined the Canadian Army, it was a pleasure to read Brenda’s Story, ‘Women in Combat in the Canadian Forces’. From her narrative, penned after her tenures of duty in Kosovo, Bosnia and Afghanistan, Brenda, now a Master Corporal, seems to have shaped up into an experienced, no-nonsense soldier – a wife and mother too – who has been through conflict situations without letting them affect her spirit, confidence and sense of humour. I wish her safe soldiering with many promotions.

Colonel Anil Bhat, VSM
(Indian Army, retired)

In enjoyed Brenda's story. What strikes me the most is her typical Canadian modesty, combined with candid honesty about what she does. No muss, no fuss, just 'do the Bizz' type of attitude, and a strong hint of a great sense of humour. She's one of the team, and it shows. I experienced briefly serving with women onboard HMCS WINDSOR and CORNER BROOK, also SHAWINIGAN. I completely agree with Brenda, and her line of thinking was mine during the inception of women on subs. I was Coxn of OKANAGAN when a Maj Bradley, PSO type with a degree in physiology, I believe, rode with us from Reykjavik Iceland to Newfie John's (St. John’s Newfoundland)*. She was afforded no special treatment, slept in a passageway bunk, ate in all three messes, and stood all types of watches to experience life aboard boats (submarines).* Her report stated that it could be done, and shortly thereafter it was a done deal. Scepticism from the macho types was put to rest for the most part, and women are now proving that they can do what they have to do to be successful sailors and submariners. Not surprising. I think all onboard have certain strong points and weak points. Know your people, employ them wisely, don't expect miracles from everyone but give everyone a chance to shine at what they do best, and you have a good crew, happy to be there and do the bizz. Still, not many women on boats yet, but like Brenda says, this life is not one that agrees with everyone, guy or gal.

* Bracketed words were inserted by Diplomatist editor
 

CPO1 Sylvain Rouillard
Coxn Submarine Sea Training Group
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada