Highest Ranking Female

[Nfld Sapper]

The first female Flag Officer 1988 or 89?
FIRST WOMAN APPOINTED TO SENIOR RESERVE NAVAL ADVISER
Naval Captain Laraine Orthlieb has been promoted to the rank of Commodore and simultaneously to the position of Senior Reserve Naval Adviser. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Orthlieb graduated from the Saint John General Hospital School of Nursing in 1959 and was subsequently commissioned as a Sublieutenant Nursing Sister at the Naval reserve Division, HMCS Brunswicker. She was transferred to HMCS Nonsuch in Edmonton in 1960, and later left the military to raise a family. Orthlieb re-enrolled at HMCS Tecumseh in Calgary where, in 1985 she was appointed Commanding Officer. Besides nursing, Orthlieb developed expertise in logistics, naval control of shipping and strategic studies. She is an officer in the Order of Military Merit and a graduate of the National Defence College in Kingston, Ontario. Since September, 1988 Commodore Orthlieb has served as the Senior Staff Officer to the Chief of Reserves and Cadets at National Defence Headquarters. Coincidentally, the announcement of Orthlieb's appointment was made by Canada's first woman Associate Defence Minister, The Hon. Mary Collins.

1988 Colonel Sheila Hellstrom is the first woman to graduate from the National Defence College. She becomes the first female Regular Force member to achieve the rank of Brigadier-General.

REF: Women throughout Canadian military history but only updated to 2004.


EDITED TO ADD REFERENCE

 

[armyvern]

1988 Colonel Sheila Hellstrom is the first woman to graduate from the National Defence College. She becomes the first female Regular Force member to achieve the rank of Brigadier-General.

REF: Women throughout Canadian military history but only updated to 2004.


EDITED TO ADD REFERENCE

His post about Commodore Orthlieb being the first female "Flag Officer" is correct though; "Flag Officer" denotes those serving within the Naval Enviornment.

There's something on this site that explains it all for those who don't understand (not you ...) CF Rank Structure

 

[Nfld Sapper]

But its interesting to note that she is not mentioned in that article, you would think that it would important enought to be there.

 

[BinRat55]

Also interesting that there are only two female base commanders:

http://www.dnd.ca/dsa/app_bio/engraph/FSeniorOfficerBiographyView_e.asp?SectChoice=1&mAction=View&mBiographyID=581

http://www.dnd.ca/dsa/app_bio/engraph/FSeniorOfficerBiographyView_e.asp?SectChoice=1&mAction=View&mBiographyID=785

I'm interested in all of this as I am writing an article about women in the military.

Again, thanks to this group for the direction.

Actually, if you include Wings as bases (we are) 9 Wing's commander is LCol Tammy Harris:
http://airforce.mil.ca/canairgens/2007/291353Zjan07_e.htm

http://gander.mil.ca/din_locl/bios/wcomd.htm

Another distinction with this is that she is also the highest ranking officer in the province of NL.

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Too bad the links you gave are for the DIN/DWAN 

 

[BinRat55]

Sorry about that -- try this one:

http://www.gandercanada.com/harris.htm

 

[Eye In The Sky]

She's not pointing out the "differences", she's pointing out the people who made it "the same".

Because ...

When she earned her pilot wings ... the CF STILL made women who got married get the hell OUT of the military.

The CF treated us "women" different in those days. Men who got married didn't have to get out. Where was the calls from all those males back then saying

"Why!!?? We all wear the same uniform..."

Like it or not, those women were subject to different rules and regulations, despite the fact they "wore the same uniform" as their male counterparts, and some were groundbreakers.

The fact that they were groundbreakers is exactly the reason that we can all (including myself) say today:

"So?? We all wear the same uniform" and have it actually be a factual statement.

That same statement was "not" applicable to these women/aboriginal groundbreakers by regulation; they made it so.

So...what are the female requirements on the EXPRES test, compared to the male??

I don't see any females at the EXPRES test sessions beggin for equal treatment there.   :

(no AV, this is not directed at your personally...sorry if it seems that way!)

 

[Celticgirl]

So...what are the female requirements on the EXPRES test, compared to the male??

I don't see any females at the EXPRES test sessions beggin for equal treatment there.   :

I agree with you, Eye. Some of us are actually training to meet the male standards, though, and if more of us females get exempt on our EXPRES tests over time, perhaps we will see more equalization in the standards. Nonetheless, we all know that changing it now would result in the loss of many female candidates, which is precisely what recruiting does not want, as females are under-represented in the military. So...while I agree that it isn't fair to the males, I also understand the reasons behind it. In any case, my plan is to be the last person out there doing the 20 MSR, male or female.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

While she is not the Wing Commander, the CO of 406 (M) OTS here in 12 Wing is LCol Lise Bourgon.  

Her bio on the 406 Intranet site is here.

The Internet site has not been updated since 2006  :, so... for those without DIN access...

Lieutenant-Colonel Lise Bourgon joined the military in 1987 under the ROTP training plan and was selected to attend Le College Militaire Royal de St-Jean where she graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration.

Following wings training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1994, she was posted to 423 (MH) Squadron in Shearwater where she served on HMCS Preserver, NCSM Ville De Quebec and HMCS Toronto. In 1998, she was transferred to 406 (M) OTS, where she served as a pilot instructor.

Following her promotion to Major in 2001, she was posted to Ottawa in the Directorate of Air Requirements - Maritime as a Project Director working on projects such as the Maritime Helicopter Program and the Self-Defence Program.

She was posted back to 423 MH Squadron in 2004 to serve as the Detachment Commander on HMCS Montreal. Following OP TRANSFORM, she was appointed as the Wing Plans and Tasks Officer in 2005. She graduated from the Joint Command and Staff Program at the Canadian Force College in Toronto in 2007.

 

[CountDC]

The National Defence Act is not amended without her signature, the CDS doesn't get appointed without her signature.  No commissioning scroll, warrant or general officer scroll is valid without her signature.  No decoration is approved without her signature. That service is pretty vital to the country. There are many types of service.

and do you really think she decides any of this?  Rubber stamping things the Government sends you is not much of a service. 

 

[armyvern]

So...what are the female requirements on the EXPRES test, compared to the male??

I don't see any females at the EXPRES test sessions beggin for equal treatment there.   :

(no AV, this is not directed at your personally...sorry if it seems that way!)

Exact same standards on the BFT ... and pretty much most of us feel just as you do on the Express test.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

Exact same standards on the BFT ... and pretty much most of us feel just as you do on the Express test.

I know...I also know you've done the BFT multiple times this year and I haven't.  ;D

 

[Strike]

While she is not the Wing Commander, the CO of 406 (M) OTS here in 12 Wing is LCol Lise Bourgon.  

Her bio on the 406 Intranet site is here.

The Internet site has not been updated since 2006  :, so... for those without DIN access...

Lieutenant-Colonel Lise Bourgon joined the military in 1987 under the ROTP training plan and was selected to attend Le College Militaire Royal de St-Jean where she graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration.

Following wings training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1994, she was posted to 423 (MH) Squadron in Shearwater where she served on HMCS Preserver, NCSM Ville De Quebec and HMCS Toronto. In 1998, she was transferred to 406 (M) OTS, where she served as a pilot instructor.

Following her promotion to Major in 2001, she was posted to Ottawa in the Directorate of Air Requirements - Maritime as a Project Director working on projects such as the Maritime Helicopter Program and the Self-Defence Program.

She was posted back to 423 MH Squadron in 2004 to serve as the Detachment Commander on HMCS Montreal. Following OP TRANSFORM, she was appointed as the Wing Plans and Tasks Officer in 2005. She graduated from the Joint Command and Staff Program at the Canadian Force College in Toronto in 2007.

I think the bigger achievement here is that the CO of 406 is a pilot as opposed to a nav...not that the CO is female.  Those who know the workings of 12 Wing will understand my little jibe.  ;D

 

[X-mo-1979]

Quick question on that.Why are the standards differnt?I always thought women proved better at running/endurance sports...so why are the standards lower on both endurance and strenght?

How about the women who first got in "back in the day" did they do the male standard?And if so why was it changed?

 

[BC Old Guy]

The test standards are different, since the test is a predictor to do common military tasks.  From what I've read, women accomplish these tasks differently than their male counterpart, which means the two test standards indicate the ability to perform the actual tasks at the same level.


The original tests (1.5 mile run) had a number of problems  - including that people taking the test could be rather unfit, and still pass the test. 

When the step test was developed, it was a sub-maximal test, and included other elements that measured strength and endurance.  When it was introduced, it was studied to ensure it provided a valid predictor of being able to perform military tasks.  When introduced there were different standards set for men and women - and people have been asking why ever since.

 

[armyvern]

Quick question on that.Why are the standards differnt?I always thought women proved better at running/endurance sports...so why are the standards lower on both endurance and strenght?

How about the women who first got in "back in the day" did they do the male standard?And if so why was it changed?

I really don't know. Perhaps it's got something to do with the different ways our skeltons are formed. I do know --- that male World Records are faster than female World Records over like distances.

Perhaps, it takes a higher exertion of strength for a female to accomplish a pushup than a male due to the fact that our shoulder blades are not a like shape to males?? Also why girls tend to "girl throw" baseballs etc.

Comparing the differences is a medical/anatomical/physic question ... it's not cut and dry.

Likewise - we could also all sit here and note the fact that even among the "BFT" there are indeed differences in standards. We just don't realize it. Think Fireman's carry.

We all have to carry someone of "like height and weight" ... but hey!! Wait one minute here ... if one guy has to carry someone who's 200 pounds the 100 metres to pass -- shouldn't we ALL be required to carry someone who's 200 pounds to pass? Why are some guys/gals only required to carry 140 pounds the 100 meters instead?? Could it be that it's the actual differences in body "structure" that make the difference instead of the old "you are allowed to pass by reaching a 'lower' standard"?? I'd argue that 5'5 150 pound guy carrying another the same as he is exerting the same amount of effort to accomplish his "pass" as the guy carrying the 200 pound troop that resembles himself.

 

[Staff Weenie]

Bringing this thread back on topic, what about Col Marcia Quinn - I think she was the first female to command a Reserve Brigade Group (I worked for her for a few years..).

And, lets not overlook the women who've made CWO, also a very respectable achievement: I think CWO Jan Skomorowski (now a Capt) was the first woman to become a CWO in the PRes (late 80's or very early 90s).

There's is/has been more female Col in the Health Services that I can easily name (okay, so I'm proud of my Group - is that a crime...).

 

[George Wallace]

Most, if not all, of these names are "recent".  What about the Women from pre-Unification?

 

[Staff Weenie]

Good question George - and in that line, would we include the WRENS, and all the other Women's Auxillary Corps?

Or, what about the Nursing Sisters who were sent to the Red River Rebellion, or the Boer War or World War One?

Women have played such a vital role in our proud military history,

For the person who initiated this thread - dig deep - there's so much to research here. Let us know what you're using the info for, and perhaps there's more specifics that can be added.

 

[gwp]

Most, if not all, of these names are "recent".  What about the Women from pre-Unification?

How far back should this go?

James Miranda Stuart Barry, army physician and surgeon (b c1795 in England; d 1865 at London, Eng).

Dr James Barry was a woman who disguised herself as a man so that she could study medicine and be a doctor.

In 1857 Barry was posted to Canada as inspector general of military hospitals, the army's senior doctor in Canada. She was still thought to be a man.

Her real surname was probably Bulkeley. Brought up in Britain, she first posed as a male in 1809 so that she could get into Edinburgh University. This was long before universities accepted women students. After graduating in medicine, Barry joined the British Army. Serving in South Africa, the Caribbean, and other parts of the world, she gained a reputation as an outstanding surgeon.

More here:
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0010029