Sailor reflects on a lifetime in uniform

Growing up in Newfoundland and Labrador, a career with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) was Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (CPO2) Andy Hewlett’s dream from the moment he saw an air cadet handing out poppies at a local grocery store.

Despite having to wait a year, CPO2 Hewlett registered as an air cadet the moment he became eligible, even earning the “best recruit” title that very year.

“I’ve been in uniform since I was 12 years old,” he said. “Those first few years as an air cadet taught me about citizenship, leadership, drill and community service. I knew from a very early age that I was meant to have a life of service and that I would be wearing a uniform for a long time.”

Following his six years as an air cadet, CPO2 Hewlett joined the CAF on July 5, 2002, as a member of the Air Force, and after two years of service he joined the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

“I thought it would be a perfect fit for me. It really was, and I love where the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has taken me,” he said.

This past July, while deployed with His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Halifax on Operation Reassurance, CPO2 Hewlett celebrated 20 years with the CAF, 18 of those with the RCN.

Being at sea while celebrating his “20-year adventure” felt significant, CPO2 Hewlett said, especially as the date fell during Halifax’s deployment on Operation Reassurance, a mission he said he felt “proud and honoured” to be part of. Op Reassurance is Canada’s support of NATO’s ongoing assurance and deterrence measures in response to Russian aggression.

“My career is very important to me. I believe in the CAF and RCN, and the missions we participate in. I believe in the values that we stand up for,” he said. “I’m lucky to spend my days with amazing teams and people from all walks of life.”

CPO2 Hewlett joined HMCS Halifax as the ship’s Operations Chief in mid-June, having previously been posted to Canadian Joint Operations Command in Ottawa.

Over his past two decades of service, CPO2 Hewlett has seen a lot of changes, especially surrounding diversity and inclusion — and he’s played a key role in championing that change.

In 2006, he was the first CAF member to march in a Pride parade and hold the Pride flag while in uniform. The following year, as the Halifax Pride parade coordinator, he advocated for the RCN to have a marching contingent, and celebrated when a message was released authorizing members to attend the parade as spectators while in uniform.

Over the coming years, CPO2 Hewlett said he’s continued to celebrate as CAF members were authorized to march together as proud members of their community, and as Pride flags have been raised at CAF bases across the country and on naval ships.

“It’s amazing to see how we have evolved as a society, and as an institution.”