Women’s Lived Experiences of Serving in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve

Abstract: Strengthening Canada’s military capacity and capabilities to address modern-day conflict requires personnel from the Primary Reserve to work alongside the Regular Force in meeting operational challenges, both domestically and abroad. In helping to augment the capabilities of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Primary Reserve members, primarily across the Naval Reserve, Canadian Army Reserve, Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve, Military Personnel Command Reserve, and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command Reserve, are ready to respond if and when needed. The Primary Reserve is instrumental in supporting the Regular Force by responding to humanitarian challenges, both domestically (i.e., natural disaster emergencies) and in international operations. It is within this context that we examine women’s lived experiences of serving in the Canadian Primary Reserve. Specifically, the purpose of this article is to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with being a woman in the Primary Reserve. To better understand these challenges and opportunities, a qualitative study conducted by Waruszynski and MacEachern (2019) examined the attraction, recruitment, employment, and retention of women in the Primary Reserve.Footnote2 Through the use of focus groups and individual interviews, the researchers were able to take note of the lived experiences of women serving in the CAF Primary Reserve. These participants also provided suggestions on how the CAF could increase the representation of women and thereby foster a more integrated, diverse, and inclusive Canadian military to further strengthen its defence capabilities and operational effectiveness.

Read the full article
Report a problem with this article

Related articles

  • More for Researchers

    Examination of the mental health symptoms and stigmatizing attitudes of student servicemembers and Veterans in postsecondary education

    Abstract:Student servicemembers and veterans (SSM/V) face challenges when transitioning from military service into higher education, including mental health concerns and difficulties with academic and social adjustment. This study examined mental health symptoms, adjustment to college, stigma, and help-seeking attitudes among 79 SSM/V enrolled in postsecondary education. Participants completed measures related to depression (PHQ-8), anxiety (GAD-7), posttraumatic stress (PCL-5), adjustment to college (VAC), self-stigma (SSOSH), public stigma (SSRPH), and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH-SF). Results indicated that average scores reflected mild levels of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Veterans reported significantly higher levels of depressive and PTSD symptoms compared to active-duty servicemembers. Number of deployments was negatively correlated with adjustment scores. Race and ethnicity were found to be significant predictors of help-seeking attitudes. Although college adjustment was negatively correlated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, the findings did not reach statistical significance, perhaps due to the limited variability in the sample. Most participants reported generally positive attitudes toward mental health services, though both self-stigma and perceived public stigma were present. Service utilization was high overall, with 76% of participants reporting prior mental health service use and 44% who were currently engaged in treatment at time of survey completion. Findings underscore the importance of addressing cultural factors, deployment experiences, and stigma to improve adjustment, retention, and well-being among SSM/V in postsecondary education.

    Mental Health