NCMs and Officers performed parade drills before being awarded with promotions and decorations
Commander Officer of Personnel Support Services (PSS), Lieutenant Colonel Natalie Cathcart and Chief Warrant Officer Dan Thomas commanded both officers and NCMs in their first parade demonstration of 2024 inside Dyte Hall on 24 January.
The parade saw Base Commander Colonel Jonathan Michaud in attendance to celebrate members of PSS with various decorated awards, including the Base Commander Commendation, promotions in rank, Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) and the PSS Coin.
First to be called upon was Leiutenant Michele Auchu, receiving a promotion to Lt accompanied by an Officer’s Commission Script which the Government of Canada describes as “a formal and unique document that provides all commissioned officers with tangible evidence of a commission in the Canadian Forces”.
“Lt Auchu enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces on September 2010 as a Medical Technician,” said the MC, MCpl Tyler Sheel. “They completed the BMQ and graduated from the CFLRS in October of 2011.”
She was posted to CFB Borden to complete professional training at the Health Services Training Center, obtaining her medical technician qualification by December 2012.
Following her medical training, Lt Auchu was posted to 1 Field Ambulance in Edmonton, Alta. Where she was quickly promoted to Corporal in September of 2013. Six years later in August of 2019, she received an in-service selection offer to become a Nursing Officer under the University Training Plan for Non-Commissioned members. After accepting the offer, she commenced studies at the University of Alberta and returned to CFLRS in July 2023 to complete additional training, receiving her BMOQ.
Once she obtained her diploma in nursing, Lt Auchu was posted to CFB Borden in September 2023 to complete further military courses and has been providing training from the base health clinic, soon functioning as a professional nurse.
CFB Borden Base Commander Commendation
Base Commander Col Michaud presented three individuals with the Base Commander Commendation including Kathleen Gaudette, Captain Trudeau-Senecal and Captain McGee.
Mrs. Kathleen Gaudette
Gaudette has been a member of PSS since 2018 and for the last five years she has contributed much of her skillset to the unit, utilizing her vast range of responsibilities such as administrative duties, coordinating translations, scheduling second language evaluations, coordinating second language training, continuously providing administration to French course students and operating the Official Languages orderly room.
Capt Trudeau-Senecal
The citation accompanying Capt Julien Truedeau-Senecal’s commendation cites him as “an active member of the CFB Borden Pride Network”, advocating for the rights of LGBTQ2+ people with heavy involvement in the Positive Space Ambassador Program. This program promotes diversity and inclusion awareness with a focus on the LGBTQ2+ community. Capt Senecal has provided many training establishments with briefings and sessions as a Positive Space Ambassador Program Trainer since last year.
Capt McGee
Capt Michael McGee served as a Chaplain at CFB Borden from July 2022 to September 2023, providing spiritual care to numerous members in various units across the base including the 31 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre, Health Services Clinic and the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre. Capt McGee is also being recognized for stepping into a leadership role for the Chaplain team as 2IC and the Acting Senior Base Chaplain during a transition period.
Canadian Forces Decoration
Putting rank aside, the CD is awarded to both officers and non-officer members who have served 12 years in the CAF and have good conduct records.
MCpl Boudreau
Master Corporal Maria Boudreau joined the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve in September 2010 as an infantry soldier in the 2nd Battalion Irish Regiment of Canada.
In September 2010, MCpl Boudreau joined the CAF Primary Reserve as an infantry soldier in the 2nd Battalion Irish Regiment of Canada. While a rifleman four years later, MCpl Boudreau transfered to Resource Management Clerk in 2014 and remained as a Human Resource Administrator in 2016.
In June 2020, she graduated from Cambrian College with a General Arts and Science Diploma, transferred to the Regular Force in August 2020 and was posted to the CFRG in Borden.
In May 2022, MCpl Boudreau was posted to CFRC Det Barrie as a Recruit File Administrator. In July 2023, posted to CFLTC as a Senior Human Resources Administrator where she was promoted to her current rank. In November 2023 she was posted to PSS in her current position as a Senior Human Resources Administrator.
CO’s PSS Coins
Four members were recognized by CO PSS LCol Cathcart for outstanding performance within their departments, reaching above and beyond what is required and uplift those around them.
Mr. Quan Mach
Mach has stepped up in an acting role and his mentorship on the production floor extends to both military and civilian employees, fostering a collaborative and inclusive working environment. Mach embodies professionalism in every aspect, setting a remarkable standard for the team.
He can bring diverse talents together to create a harmonious workspace despite staffing challenges and his nomination recognizes an outstanding leader whose culinary expertise, mentorship and inclusive approach make him deserving of the PSS CO’s coin.
Ms. Stephanie Coon
Since joining the Accommodations team in February 2023, Coon has become an asset to R&QSS. In her role of a CR-4 at the front desk, she has become a consistent face and voice on the phone in a busy area of customer service. In a short period of time, she has made strives to improve both the interaction with clients as well as efficiency of work behind the scenes. Coon demonstrated keen professionalism, dedication and initiative when she recognized the need to update training material for new personnel.
Her initiative to address and recreate a new training binder for the front desk Commissionaires has not gone unnoticed. The new training aids enable new front desk personnel to fast-track training and can work independently the front desk with minimum supervision. As a result, the front desk continues to provide uninterrupted service despite ongoing training sessions.
Cpl Corcuera
Proving himself a leader within the team, Cpl Joshua Corcuera consistently assists the OR with complex admin issues through his trade knowledge and his desire to see his peers succeed. He has trained many new posted in HRAs and civilians, always being approachable and creating a team atmosphere resulting in a positive learning and work environment for all. In addition, Cpl Corcuera regularly volunteers with extra-curricular activities both within PSS and the greater CFB Borden Community. Within the unit, Cpl Corcuera has been a very active member of the PSS Social Committee since his arrival, planning and preparing many of the team-building activities held during these events.
Cpl Corcuera is a member of the Junior Rank Mess Executive Committee and he volunteers as the Coach of the CFB Borden Base Volleyball team. His devotion to the unit and community is an example to all.
MCpl Chatargun
MCpl Ramanand Chatargun has mentored our junior OJT cooks who look to follow, aspire and achieve progressive advancement within the cook trade. MCpl Chatargun has taken the lead role on updating, implementing and modernizing the OJT confirmation dinner by improving the process for accuracy and standardization. As the IC of Dispersed Meals, he has streamlined the communication process with the clients, daily issuing and receiving of Box Lunches, Hay boxes and BMBs to allow for seamless transactions and minimal errors.
MCpl Chatargun has utilized existing Food Service Manual Policies and Directives by incorporating SJS Foods directions into a simplified checklist with explicit directions on entitlements and food safety consumption practices. He is also taking the lead role to implement the CAF’s new Spiritual and Accommodations dietary polices and holds an essential position which provides essential food provisions, nutrition and comfort food for the troops and their training cadres at CFB Borden.
The parade concluded with member being presented the new PSS patch and each member replacing the old patch in unison.
Congratulations to the newly decorated members of PSS for starting off the new year strong with recognition from the Command Team. Keep up the great work as it won’t go unnoticed!
By: Caleb Hooper
