Shoot Like A Girl

This podcast features mini-interviews with 5 different women in 3 different countries who are currently deployed with the Canadian Armed Forces. During this episode, you will gain insight into their roles on deployment and back home, as well as what their day-to-day life is like while deployed.

Petty Officer 1st Class Frances Bartoch - Senior Human Resource Manager Operational Support Center South West Asia, Joint Task Force IMPACT

Sergeant Kylie Peterson - Logistics Platoon, Transport 2 I/C, IC Road and Vehicle Safety – Joint Task Force IMPACT

Major Rebecca Wheaton-Sparkes - Intelligence Officer, Canadian LNO, Op FOUNDATION

Sergeant Mary Fandrey - Female Engagement Team (FET) NCO Mentor, Canadian Training Assistance Team-Jordan (CTAT-J)

Captain Jane Jaklič - Female Engagement Team (FET) Lead, Canadian Training Assistance Team - Jordan (CTAT-J)

Operation IMPACT is part of Canada’s whole-of-government approach to the Middle East. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) mission to build the military capabilities of Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, and set the conditions for their long-term success. Op IMPACT complements the work of other Canadian government agencies such as Global Affairs Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. [Canada.ca]

Under Operation FOUNDATION the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) works with the United States and other countries to counter terrorism. The CAF has personnel located in the Middle East, North Africa and Southwest Asia as part of Operation FOUNDATION. Approximately 16 CAF members serve as staff in the each of these host headquarters. They provide a link between the headquarters and the CAF. [Canada.ca]

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Amy Forsythe began her career as an enlisted military journalist in the U.S. Marine Corps and she currently serves as a Public Affairs Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Her career has included five combat deployments and several other overseas assignments.

For more about Amy and how to purchase a copy of this book please visit www.heroesliveheroeslivehere.com

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Mandi Thomas is a US Army veteran. She was trained as an interrogator, and also attended language school to learn Russian. After leaving the Army, Mandi spent 12 years as a stay-at-home mom. She attended school, started personal training, and then moved on to become a firefighter. She is a fierce mental health advocate and hopes to one day work full-time for a non-profit organization helping First Responders. 

www.instagram.com/mthr_ofdragons

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Stephanie is a former active duty, now reserve officer in the United States Marine Corps. She is an Amphibious Assault Officer and she has a very long list of accomplishments. She wrestled in high school but began boxing at the United States Naval Academy. At the academy, she was also a member of the Glee Club and Captain of the Track and Field Team. On top of all that, she plays five musical instruments.  She is a 3 x Collegiate National Boxing Champion, and a 3x Team USA National Champion, and we hope to see her in the ring at the Olympics in Paris 2024.

www.instagram.com/stephsimon94

https://www.teamusa.org/usa-boxing/athletes/Stephanie-Simon

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Major Melissa Marshall joined the Canadian Army as an Artillery Officer after attending University in 2007. Throughout that time, she has completed qualifications such as Forward Observation Officer and has held various positions including Battery Commander. in 2013, she deployed on Operation ATTENTION in Kabul, Afghanistan as the Task Force adjutant and has coordinated support for various domestic operations. She competed in the Bataan Memorial Death March in 2009, the Marine Corps Marathon in 2012, and 5 Army Run Half Marathons. She also won National Slo Pitch Championships with Team Alberta in 2018 and 2022.

Melissa’s husband Kyle is also a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, serving as an Infantry Sergeant in Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI).

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Major Lesley Quinlan is the Director of the Canada Army Run. In addition to being an Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, she is also an accomplished triathlete. In 2019, she was named the CAF Female Athlete of the Year. She won Individual silver and mixed team gold at the CISM World Military Games in triathlon in China that year, and two golds back home: one in the 10K at the CAF National Triathlon Championship and another in the 10K at the CAF National Running Championship.

This year, the Army Run will take place virtually and in-person. The in-person event is Sunday, September 18 in Ottawa, Canada. The race is also a fundraiser for Support Our Troops and Solider On. 

Sign up for the Canada Army Run!

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Lisa Jaster is a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve. She was one of the first women to complete Ranger School. She has a BS in Civil Engineering from West Point, and an MS in Civil Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology. She has been stationed in Korea, and has deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq with the US Army. Lisa also has a new book in the works called “Delete the Adjective.”

She is a Senior Consultant for the Talent War Group, a Senior Advisor for the McChrystal Group, and a Dive Pirates Foundation board member.

On top of all this, she’s also a wife, mom, purple belt in BJJ, a bowhunter, and she works out like a beast. If superwoman was real, she would be Lisa Jaster.

Lisa Jaster on Instagram

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The Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, the SkyHawks, is Canada's only military parachute demonstration team. The team consists of both permanent members and temporary members from the Regular and Reserve Forces. They act as ambassadors for the Canadian Forces at special events, airshows and events. They are easily recognizable because their parachutes resemble the Canadian Flag.

This year, there are 3 women on the team. Cpl Jennifer Hart is an Operator with CANSOF, MCpl Christine Kuizema is a Canadian Ranger, and MCpl Kazz Gallant is a Combat Engineer in the Canadian Army.

This episode is a reading from the book "Fifteen Days" by Christie Blatchford. 

Captain Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard, MSM (May 2, 1980 – May 17, 2006) was the first female Canadian combat soldier killed in combat, and the 16th Canadian soldier killed in Canadian operations in Afghanistan.

Nichola’s death in 2006 hit Canada hard. A “daughter of Canada”, there was no shortage of news coverage on the 17th Canadian combat death in Afghanistan. In the years since, dozens of tributes to her life have been established around the country – some as simple as the memorial plaque in her former high school, some as large and complex as an entire Coast Guard ship carrying her name for decades to come. Many of the initiatives that have taken place in honour of her memory were and are led by the Nichola Goddard Foundation.

Nichola Goddard Video by Valour Canada

The Nichola Goddard Foundation