Domestic Stories: Appointment marks historic firsts
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By Darlene Blakeley
 Credit: DND Commodore Jennifer Bennett. |
In February, it was announced that Cmdre Bennett will be promoted to rear-admiral this spring and will take over as Chief of Reserves and Cadets. The announcement marked two historic firsts: the first time a woman has reached the rank of rear-admiral in the Canadian Navy, and the first time a woman has been honoured as the CF’s senior reservist.
“This is a tremendous professional and personal accomplishment that will see Cmdre Bennett taking a seat at Armed Forces Council during what is likely to be a crucial period for Canada’s Reserve forces,” says RAdm Paul Maddison, Assistant Chief of the Maritime Staff.
Cmdre Bennett will take over her new position in May. In the interim, she is completing second language training and participating in some of the ongoing strategic reviews impacting the Reserve Force in preparation for her new job.
“I am extremely honoured to have been considered for this position and to have the opportunity to continue my work on behalf of the Reserve,” she says. “My recent experience as Commander Naval Reserve and my work with the Naval Strategic Analysis Team will be an asset to me as I meet the challenges of my next appointment. Having worked on difficult policy reviews, change agendas and personnel issues for the Navy and the CF in the past, I bring to this position a unique blend of experience and perspective.”
Cmdre Bennett says it is “an interesting time” to assume the duties of Chief of Reserves and Cadets as the CF engages in transformation and reviews that directly impact the Reserve Force and budget realities put greater pressure on resources across the department. “I think that communications will be very critical and in the same way that I strived to enhance that in the Naval Reserve, I will work to do the same with the Reserve Force as we go through a period of potential change and uncertainty with the Primary Reserve Analysis and Transformation, validation of full-time Reserve positions and ongoing program reviews,” she says. “I look forward to representing the Reserve Force and the cadets at the highest levels, and to enhancing policies and programs where possible.”
Cmdre Bennett, who was also the first woman to command Canada’s Naval Reserve and held that position from December 2007 until February of this year, is well aware that she is a role model for women aspiring to careers in the Navy. “I am always humbled when I hear that I have made a difference or served to inspire someone’s career,” she says, “and I take great satisfaction in seeing the positive changes that have occurred since I joined and knowing that women today are joining with the widest possible range of options for occupations and career advancement.”
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