Women in Aviation: Chief Warrant Officer Brigitte Marley
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News Article / June 21, 2017
In the weeks leading from International Women’s Day on March 8 until the Canadian Women in Aviation Conference on June 21-24, we are featuring interviews with female leaders in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Occupation: Aircraft maintenance superintendent
(The air maintenance superintendant occupation draws its personnel from the aviation systems technician, avionics system technician, aircraft structures technician, air weapons system technician and non-destructive testing technician occupations.)
Current position: Squadron chief warrant officer of 450 Squadron Tactical Helicopter Squadron, in Petawawa, Ontario.
Hometown: Iles-Aux-Grues, Quebec
What drew you to join the Royal Canadian Air Force?
Being from a small island, I always dreamed of travelling my country and the world. I also remember watching commercials on TV and being interested in an information session with recruiters who visited my high school. I have a little over 33 years of service and I can tell you that I have absolutely no regrets.
What have been some of the highlights of your career with the RCAF?
I’ve been posted to 17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba; 16 Wing Borden, Ontario; 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia; Ottawa; and 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Petawawa.
What have been some of the challenges of your career with the RCAF?
Learning English was hard and took a year. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for our young aviators who no longer receive language training following recruit school. It is a challenge, I always make a point to ensure Francophone members who arrive at the unit are provided with the opportunity to learn English as soon as possible in order for them to succeed.
Another challenge is that my husband is aircrew. Early in his career he was away from home three-quarters of the year, it was a balancing act with day care and ensuring that my career was not affected. We were lucky to be in Greenwood for 15 years and we had a great family plan.
If you could provide advice to young women who are thinking about joining the RCAF, what would it be?
Join for what the RCAF can offer you: the chance to travel, have a career, upgrade your education, join team sports and work with great people who come from all over the country.
If you could provide advice to senior leadership on recruitment, training and retention of women in the RCAF, what would it be?
It is a balancing act between career and family; some can make it work and some choose not to. It is that simple.