Canadia Armed Forces Master-Warrant Officer Darlene Skinner sits in her office at CFB Shilo after receiving the United States of America Meritorious Service Medal and Citation for her time while posted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. MWO Skinner received the award in November 2024. However, she was officially awarded it in a parade ceremony on Feb. 25. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media
An admitted late bloomer at 36 when she came into the Canadian Armed Forces, Darlene Skinner is now a decorated Master-Warrant Officer (MWO) at CFB Shilo with 20 years of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) experience under her belt.
On Feb. 25, those years of experience culminated with her being awarded the United States of America Meritorious Service Medal for accomplishments and job performance over and above while serving in the out-of-country posting from July 2019 to July 2023.
When posted with the US Air Force in Ohio, Darlene was recognized by the United States military for her charity work and community involvement. In addition to her regular duties at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, she raised more than $20,000 for various causes, including the food bank and service dogs for veterans.
While Darlene received the medal and citation in November 2024, she was initially unable to wear the distinguishment because it hadn’t been presented to her in proper ceremonial form. The medal was finally approved to wear with her Canadian Armed Forces Uniform, and she told Shilo Stag Media that she was proud to wear it.
She is a self-described hands-on person after raising a family and working as a teaching assistant. She originally joined the CAF as a clerk but soon transferred.
“I went supply because you get the administrative part of it, and you have the hands-on part.”
Describing her overseas experiences, she said her first and most challenging tour was to Camp Mirage in Dubai in 2010. The contract ended due to international business issues, and around 60 CAF members were given just two weeks to pack up and leave. A post in Afghanistan followed so the soldiers could end their overseas tour, then Belgium, Ukraine, and the USA for four years before returning to Shilo, where her family lives.
When Darlene was in Ohio, she administered aircraft parts supply and represented Canada in Foreign Military Sales. Eight months of the post, for which she recently received the citation, were during COVID-19.
“We worked from home, but I was there alone, so I went to the office a lot just to see the people that were allowed to work.”
During this time, the CAF member started volunteering after hearing about a therapeutic riding program for people with disabilities at a local ranch. Every Saturday morning for two and half years, she would help the children around, lead equines to their riders, clean stalls and feed the horses.
She encouraged those around her at work in the Foreign Liasion Office (FLO) to become involved. They started in some charity runs and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.
One of the biggest things she noticed and appreciated is how, as the only female warrant officer in the FLO, and working with Captains to Generals is how well she was treated.
“They were so very comfortable. We were all just family … they were comfortable coming to me for advice. I was very approachable. They showed me respect, and I showed them the same.”
However, she believes it was her charity work for which she was recognized. Darlene would like to see more involvement from Canadian Armed Forces members and mentioned that getting people involved is more of a challenge here.
Regarding her citation and MSM medal, she said she was surprised to receive it.
“I was shocked and thought, wow – they appreciated everything …because as Canadians, we are over there as ambassadors for our country,” she said. “You can be that person who went and sat and did nothing, or you can be that person, an outgoing person making the best of it … I wanted to make the best of it as we were in COVID. So, I made the best of a bad situation.”
Master-Warrant Officer Skinner encourages everyone not to let opportunities pass by and to grab them as they arise.
“For anybody that has the opportunity to do an OUTCAN posting, take that opportunity … It will be one of the best experiences within your military career.”
Canadia Armed Forces Master-Warrant Officer Darlene Skinner is awarded the United States of America Meritorious Service Medal and Citation for her time while posted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Base Commander Lieutenant-Colonel David Cronk and Regimental Sergeant Major Eric LeClair officially presented the medal and citation in a ceremonial parade on Feb. 25 at CFB Shilo. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)
Canadia Armed Forces Master-Warrant Officer Darlene Skinner sits in her office at CFB Shilo after receiving the United States of America Meritorious Service Medal and Citation for her time while posted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. MWO Skinner received the award in November 2024. However, she was officially awarded it in a parade ceremony on Feb. 25. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)