First infantry regular force female LCol.

[observor 69]

Canadian Forces ‏@CanadianForces   

#BravoZulu Maureen Wellwood on your promotion. She becomes the first infantry regular force female LCol.

 

[PuckChaser]

Can't zoom in enough on picture, is she a Vandoo?

Also surprising we haven't had one before now.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

Is this something noteworthy?  Do other LCol's get this fanfare

 

[garb811]

<shrug>  Seem to recall the MND got some pretty favourable press for all of his "firsts".

 

[dapaterson]

Can't zoom in enough on picture, is she a Vandoo?

Also surprising we haven't had one before now.

She was a VanDoo when she was promoted major in 2007.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

<shrug>  Seem to recall the MND got some pretty favourable press for all of his "firsts".

If they are the most qualified for the job I don't give a rats ass what colour, sex, religion etc they are or practice.

 

[PuckChaser]

She was a VanDoo when she was promoted major in 2007.

Link didn't work, but thanks!

 

[dapaterson]

Link didn't work, but thanks!

If I had pasted the correct link, it would have worked.  Fixed in the original message.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Canadian Forces ‏@CanadianForces   

#BravoZulu Maureen Wellwood on your promotion. She becomes the first infantry regular force female LCol.

Excellent news.

Ducimus!

 

[The Bread Guy]

Link didn't work, but thanks!

Try this one (in French).

Is this something noteworthy?  Do other LCol's get this fanfare

One day, female infantry LCOL's will become so routine, they won't merit special attention.

Until then, someone's gotta be first - congrats to the incumbent 

 

[Strike]

Can't zoom in enough on picture, is she a Vandoo?

Also surprising we haven't had one before now.

There's a Maj at 5 Div (RCR) that has been a couple of years out of the fold to raise her family, but I expect she might be the next to reach that milestone.

 

[Kirkhill]

....

Now, to get back on track:  Congratulations to the new LCol! 

Thanks for that.  And I too would like to offer the new CO my congratulations.  Edit to rectify.  She still gets my congratulations.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Thanks for that.  And I too would like to offer the new CO my congratulations.

Unless I missed something, there was no announcement that LCol Wellwood was given command of one of the three bns of her regiment or command of any other unit, for that matter.  Since the Minister was readily available (to be the first?) to congratulate her, my assumption is that she is currently at NDHQ.  Whether the powers that be see fit to give her a command (and it is a few months away from the APS) or that her job in the new rank will continue to be staff is another matter.  Regardless, well done.

 

[Kirkhill]

My error.

Assume got me again.

But, does that really mean that no women have reached Lt Col rank in the infantry prior to this?  That surprises me.

 

[ballz]

But, does that really mean that no women have reached Lt Col rank in the infantry prior to this?  That surprises me.

In the Reg Force apparently, no.

There are not that many Regular Force Infantry Officers... most don't make it through Ph 3 and 4. I do not know when/who the first one was to actually make it to a Regular Force Battalion, I imagine LCol Wellwood and Maj Taylor were amongst the first. There have only been a handful since...

 

[PuckChaser]

Also interesting to note a reprimand is not a career stopper, likely only delayed the promotion a few years.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I've seen some comments elsewhere that 50% of all CO's should be female- I kind of expected that reaction to be honest.


It may be sexist of me to say but maybe more female COs will change the whole "Family Care Plan" excuse the CoC pulls out when troops complain they can't make last minute schedule changes.

 

[PuckChaser]

I've seen some comments elsewhere that 50% of all CO's should be female- I kind of expected that reaction to be honest.

Unfortunately that would put a disproportionate number of women into command positions, as they are, what, 15% of the CAF population in total? We already give francophones a large leg-up as its far easier to get language training in English, I'm all for ensuring our promotions and leadership positions are based solely on merit, not employment equity criteria.

 

[Haggis]

I've seen some comments elsewhere that 50% of all CO's should be female- I kind of expected that reaction to be honest.

Because it's 2016!