Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 39 On 11 December 1980 Susan Stark declared the Canadian Oath of Allegiance swearing fealty to the monarch of Canada and arrived in Cornwallis Nova Scotia on 2 January 1981 in the midst of a raging snowstorm to begin what became 35 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. ATri-Service Veteran, Susan reached the rank of Cadet Major in the Army Cadet movement, a youth organization she still holds in the highest regard. Because of her Cadet experience and training Susan says she always knew she wanted to join the CAF. Retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, steady promotion brought posting to Cornwallis following trades training as Clerk/Administration in Borden. It was then on to Goosebay, Greenwood, St. John’s, Petawawa, Netherlands, Halifax, a return to Goosebay, Kingston to Cold Lake then retiring as Wing Ops Chief from CFB Trenton. Susan’s career in a human resource counseling and management role allowed her to provide support to her brothers and sisters in uniform and from that perspective to be especially aware of the unique challenges faced by those who serve this country and, the challenges the CAF faces in recruitment. She acknowledges there has been positive change in areas such as eligibility criteria, maternity rights and acceptance, child care and need for time to attend to ill children. She says we still have a long way to go, it’s still a man’s army and although we say men and women will serve in trenches together, she’s not sure that could or would actually happen. She says the percentage of women serving in combat arms still has not yet reached the target. Susan says her career in the CAF provided personal growth, opportunity and so many memorable experiences that a civilian life could not have offered. She loved every minute of it! Nova Scotia called her and her husband home in 2017. They settled in Bridgewater where Susan joined The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24, served on the Branch Executive and eventually accepted the role of Service Officer with the Branch. She’s passionate about all that The Royal Canadian Legion has to offer and feels fortunate to continue advocating for those who have served and those who continue to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their families. Susan B. Stark MMM CD Chief W.O., (ret’d.)
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