Having been on Base for 21 years, Janna said that, unlike some other civilian staff, she has no military connections.

 

“I’m a professional sports mom, slash driver, slash equipment manager … I do truly love it.”

 

“I’m not a military spouse. I did not grow up an Army brat. I’d never seen an army base. I applied for a job. I showed up here and never left.”

 

Starting in Base Supply, she described her current position at CFB Shilo as a “double-hatted” role, which she has been fulfilling for just more than three years. As the civilian regional department accounting officer (RDAO) overseeing all the financial transactions for the units, she also holds a unique G8 position advising on the Base finances.

 

“It is not typically held by a civilian, but due to a number of circumstances, they were found without a military member to hold the position. I was asked to step in and fill that role.”

She said stepping into the role traditionally held by a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member was a steep learning curve and not without its challenges.

 

“It held a lot of emotions. It was a little overwhelming. I felt honoured that the chain of command at the time would put that level of trust in me.”

Having now worked under three different Base Commanders (BCmdrs), Janna said there are always differences between them.

 

“Each body comes with their own human aspect. I find in my role,  each BCmdr has their own priorities. So I aid them, and help prop them to achieve those goals.”

 

Over the years since she started at CFB Shilo in the early 2000s, she said she has seen many changes in attitudes and especially in the uniformed female-to-male ratio.

She said as a woman, at times, it felt like you had to work twice as hard.

 

“… because if you got the job, sometimes it felt like getting the job on merit alone wasn’t enough. You kind of had to double achieve to prove that you were the best candidate.”

She said working in a male-dominated environment taught her resiliency.

 

While she doesn’t want to imply she is painting with wide brush strokes, she sought out people she could trust, like her manager and mentor at Base Supply, whom she describes as “phenomenal and professional.”

 

“I was definitely learning from those who modelled characteristics that I wanted and wanted to take from.”

 

She has gained knowledge and experience from those around her, while still giving back to her community.

 

“To see such growth in our community – that’s only possible with volunteers.”

 

Janna said when she looks at it from a community perspective, the more we give, the more we have to offer our communities, whether it’s in an official capacity or as volunteers.

 

“That can also be said for our families, like the time that we give as mothers, as wives, whatever role [we’re] playing that day. It’s never time wasted.”

 

She said that rolls over into the workforce as well.

 

“I look at the mentors I‘ve had and what they have given, whether they realized it or not – they were in subtle ways just giving experience and knowledge, just interacting and learning from them.

“…focusing on International Women’s Day, (internationally celebrated March 8) I would say mad woman, military, civilian, it doesn’t matter – anything that I’ve achieved along my way I contribute to the strong managers that I’ve had, or the teams that I’ve been a part of, or now, the strong team that works for me. Everybody giving makes the environment so much better.”

 

Balancing womanhood, motherhood, being a wife and having a career, each has its own set of pressures, she said. Women often wonder whether they are focusing too much on a career or spending too much time away from their children.

“We put that pressure on ourselves … I use the term “mom-guilt …” she said, adding that it’s ok not to be perfect all the time and it’s important to recognize quality time.

 

Keeping the International Women’s Day theme of #GivetoGain in mind being recognized on Base March 6,Janna said, looking around the Base right now, there are so many strong female leaders who are giving so that others can gain.

 

“I think that’s pretty remarkable and something for us to aspire to.”