I made the jump, and I’m still here: Corporal Tera Moussignac Cimello Kennedy
News Article / March 9, 2022
Robin Campbell, 12 Wing PA
Corporal Moussignac Cimello Kennedy is an Aviation Systems (AVN) Technician currently working as the Training Coordinator at 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron at 12 Wing Shearwater.
She joined the Canadian Armed Forces back in 2014 as a reservist with 12 Air Reserve Flight Shearwater because of a family connection.
“A friend of the family was a civilian liaison to the Wing Commander at 12 Wing, so she actually took me for a tour in Shearwater,” she says. “At the time, I didn’t think I would join but then people talked to me about benefits and all the different career options I could have, so I just took the jump. And when I ended up going reserve, it seemed like a good way to just dip my feet in it to see if I would even like it. And I did! So I made the jump, and I’m still here.”
Cpl Moussignac Cimello Kennedy switched to the Regular Force in 2017 and now, as an AVN Tech, she is responsible for the maintenance of aircraft aviation systems on the CH-148 Cyclone, including the airframe, basic electrical, and propulsion. On any given day she may be tasked with testing, inspecting, and repairing the aviation systems.
“The best part of working on the aircraft is when it is mission-oriented,” she says. “So helping one of the deployments get ready to go out or getting ready for something like a natural disaster and we are on standby to help. Those are the most fulfilling moments and give real purpose to the work we do.”
In her current role as the Training Coordinator at 423 (MH) Sqn, she supports squadron readiness. “I’m responsible for making sure the members on my crew are green, so that they are always ready to deploy if they need to and getting them booked on the courses they require.”
When asked of a highlight of her career in the military so far, she spoke of her experience with a recruitment video for her trade. “We did a shoot with the Cyclone, me and a couple other female colleagues, and I did a recruitment video. When I joined, I noticed there was a lack of women of colour in the military. I’m usually the only one. So I guess being able to be a face, to show people that we are actually here, is nice.”
In her free time, Cpl Moussignac Cimello Kennedy coaches competitive cheerleading. “I’ve been involved in All Star Competitive Cheerleading since I was 15 and when I was posted back to Shearwater, I got back into it. I started coaching about three years ago. That takes up quite a bit of my time outside of work. My team’s name is Flare and we’re part of Extreme Athletics in Dartmouth.”
She is currently expecting her first child in May and excited for this new journey for her family. She’s had great support from her supervisors and squadron.
“They wanted to find me a position while I’ve been pregnant that would kind of keep me in the realm of my job. [My chain of command] have been extremely supportive, very cooperative, and honestly I’ve had a great experience being pregnant in the military.”
When looking to the future of her career, Cpl Moussignac Cimello Kennedy would like to deploy. “I haven’t had the opportunity to do that yet. If I get to stay here, I would love to sail. But if I get posted, I’m ready to see what deployments look like elsewhere.”