2006 News

Lieut.-Col. Stephen Allan (right), the Commanding Officer of 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron in Victoria, B.C., announces to Sgt Robin Alexander (left), the Chief Clerk of 443 Squadron Air Reserve Flight that she is being presented with the Air Reservist of the Year Award. Sgt Alexander will formally receive the award in a ceremony held in Ottawa in October 2006.

Capt Jeff Manney
Western Area Air Reserve Public Affairs Officer

As Sgt. Robin Alexander helped her 16-year-old son Scott enrol in the Canadian Forces Reserves earlier this month, she knew that, as a fourth-generation Reservist, he would have some high standards to meet.

Little did she know she was about to set that bar a whole lot higher.

On September 6, Sgt. Alexander, Chief Clerk of Victoria's 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron Air Reserve Flight, was named Air Reservist of the Year. Although she's not sure what effect winning the prestigious award will have on her son, Alexander says it's something that will inspire her - just as she has been inspired by the military service of her mother and grandfather, and by the civic service of her father, a frequent volunteer.

"Both my parents taught me by example to do my best and give back to my community, so I've always tried to give my best to my unit," she says. "Receiving this award will always stay in my mind," she adds. "I'll continue to do my best to live up to it."

An Air Reservist since 1995, Alexander's own military service actually began in 1977, when she enrolled in the Grey and Simcoe Foresters, an Ontario militia unit. As the spouse of a Regular Force member, she then spent 14 years in various full and part-time positions as she followed her husband Les on postings across the country.

The sign at the entrance of 12 Wing Shearwater announces to the Air Force family that Sgt Alexander, Chief Clerk of 443 Squadron Air Reserve Flight, is being recognized with the 2006 Air Reservist of the Year Award. 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron is 12 Wing's West Coast squadron, and provides maritime helicopter support to the naval fleet on the West Coast.

Seven years ago she assumed her position as Chief Clerk of 443 Squadron's Air Reserve Flight. Through a combination of what her commanding officer calls her "creative and tireless efforts," she has helped transform the Flight as it nearly doubled in size from 38 to 61 members. Along the way she has honed an extremely efficient Orderly Room team, and inspired "group excellence", although you'll never find her taking credit for it.

"I really give a lot of credit to the guidance and total support I receive from my Flight Commander," she says. "As for my subordinates, they make me look good with their excellent work. Any one of them could have just as easily won this award."

One impact Alexander can't deny is the effect of her leadership when her Class A Flight Commander is away. She's always been ready to shoulder extra responsibility and guide her unit.

Fortunately, Alexander is no stranger to providing guidance. She's now in her sixteenth year as an adult member of the Girl Guides of Canada, first as a Sparks leader with her daughter, Brittany, then again as a Pathfinder leader.

Although her daughter is now in college, Alexander has chosen to remain with the Girl Guides, and in doing so has fulfilled another longstanding family tradition. Her mother has been in Guiding for nearly 40 years, and received the organization's highest honour, the Gold Cord (now known as the Canada Cord), from Lady Baden-Powell herself.

Alexander says she sees many similarities between the Girl Guides and the Canadian Forces, over and above the frequent camping trips. "There's a similar focus on leadership and organizational skills," she says. "In Guides you're in charge of a large group to whom you have a huge responsibility. You have to set up their training and guide them through the process of earning their badges."

The similarities don't end there. "As an adult leader," Alexander says, "we make a difference in the community, and in the girls' lives."

Despite the demands of work, family and Guiding, Alexander still manages to devote time to fitness. After four years of karate instruction at CFB Esquimalt's Shodokan Karate Club, she earned her First Degree Brown Belt.

She attributes part of her success, at both karate and life in general, to the Reserves. "I love being a Reservist because it gives me flexibility," she says. And although she originally wanted to be a Mountie (but was a half-inch too short) she says she'd have things no other way.

"I don't think I'd have done anything differently with the Reserves. I've had a 20-year career for a reason," she says. That conviction expressed itself best when her brother-in-law called to congratulate her on winning Reservist of the year award. "He said that's a great thing to put on a resumé," she recalls.

"I said I hope I never have to have a resumé. I love my job. It's the best job I could have."

The Flight Lieutenant D.M. Grant "Air Reservist of the Year was established in 2000. It is named in honour of F/L Duncan Marshall Grant, who was killed in action over France in 1943. The Air Force Association of Canada will present this year's award October 14.

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