Heather Erxleben

Background

Heather Erxleben was born in 1966 in Canada. Her early life is unknown.

Education

Heather graduated from the PPCLI Battle School in CFB Wainwright, Alberta on January 19, 1989.

Career

In 1979 Servicewomen in Non-traditional Environments and Roles was introduced by the CF to determine the impact on the operational effectiveness of employing servicewomen in sea, land, and air near-combat units and at isolated units. In 1987, in response to the mandate of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to expand service opportunities for women, the CF created Combat-Related Employment for Women (CREW). CREW trials became the first stage in the total integration of women into the CF in every capacity, with the exceptions of submarine duty and Roman Catholic chaplain. The CF had already eliminated restrictions on mixed-gender employment in the air force. Private Erxleben participated in international exercises as an infantry soldier. Canada's nonparticipation in combat situations has meant that Erxleben and other qualified women have not had actual combat experience.

Achievements

• Ten years after women were first admitted to military colleges in Canada, Heather Erxleben completed training at the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle School in Wainwright, Alberta. Erxleben became the first female combat soldier in Canada.
  
  

Views

Quotations: "It's just throwing the clock back, it's going back in time - not going forward... If it was a man (killed), wouldn't it be just as important?"

References

• Amazons to Fighter Pilots: A Biographical Dictionary of Military Women
  2003