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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 8, 2007 - 3 Making history in the navy By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF S PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER AN HISTORIC FIRST: Commodore Jennifer Bennett is the first woman in Canadian history to command a formation in the navy. The 49-year-old was recently promoted to the rank of commodore. he has commanded 400 children in uniform, and now an Oakville private school head is taking on the slightly larger challenge of commanding 4,000 men and women in uniform. Jennifer Bennett, 49, head of Oakville's Fern Hill School and a naval reservist, was promoted to the rank of commodore during a recent ceremony in Quebec City. The rank not only gives Bennett command of Canada's 24 naval reserve divisions, but makes her the first woman in Canadian history to command a formation in the navy. "I feel a combination of being extremely proud, and at the same time it's a bit overwhelming, because being the first, it's new ground for us," said Bennett from her Fern Hill office. "Throughout history there has always had to be someone who's first and I appreciate those who have gone before me to open doors. What's really nice is that the generations behind us won't experience these (firsts). It will be commonplace to them." Coming from a family with a long history of naval service, Bennett says she was indoctrinated into navy life at an early age. As her father was also a naval reservist, Bennett says, navy-speak and naval traditions were the norm as she grew up, however it was not until 1975 that Bennett officially started her naval career. "They had a summer program for students that I signed up for. I really had no intention of doing this longterm," she said. "At that time they were paying students very, very well and giving you an eight-week basic introduction into the navy. I was hooked after that. I've stuck with it and the nice thing is that I've been able to do that career and a civilian career at the same time." While the money was appreciat- "I feel a combination of being extremely proud, and at the same time it's a bit overwhelming, because being the first, it's new ground for us." Jennifer Bennett, Commodore ed, Bennett says the navy gave her much more, including challenges and opportunities that are completely different from any other environment. She says being in the navy allowed her to travel to places like the NATO college in Rome, NATO school in Germany, and has also given her experiences that she finds applicable to her civilian job. "The practical experience I've had, the courses and the hands-on leadership experience has probably led me to where I am in my civilian career more than any other factor," said Bennett. "There are civilian jobs that I've gotten because of my military experience." The tendency of the military to tell people when they're ready for advancement was also noted by Bennett as a one of its attractive characteristics. "One of the things about the military that's different is that they push you into things, in a good way," said Bennett. "A lot of times in our civilian careers we say, `Well no I don't want to do that,' or `I'm not going to apply for that,' but in the military they say, `You're ready for this, we want you to do this, you can do this,' and I think that's a really good attitude. I'm probably where I am now in my military career because people did that for me." With promotion, however, comes new responsibilities, and commanding 4,000 people is a large one that will require Bennett to travel, as Canada has 24 navel reserve units spread out from coast to coast. See Civilian page 5 PREPARE FOR THE ROAD AHEAD. Next course: Dec. 27, 28, 29, 30 ­ 4 days ­ 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Jan. 2, 3, 4, 5 ­ 4 days ­ 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. www.youngdrivers.com 905.845.7200 MTO APPROVED BEGINNER DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE PROVIDER