eVeritas

After graduating with honours from Royal Roads Military College, in the Applied Military Psychology program, McMillan set sail in her defence journey by enrolling in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in 1996. She began her tenure with the RCN as what was once called a Maritime Surface Officer (and is now known as a Naval Warfare Officer). From notably serving aboard the frigate HMCS YUKON and Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship HMCS PRESERVER, and so many more in between, McMillan subsequently transferred to the Personnel Selection Branch and became a Personnel Selection Officer (PSO) in 1997. In this role, the point of sail for McMillan’s career pivoted — she worked with NCSM VILLE DE QUEBEC and HMCS PRESERVER as a Critical Incident Stress Counsellor during the Swiss Air Disaster only two years into her career.

When most people describe their career path and the steps they took to enter the defence industry, they often reference years of planning and careful decisions. But for Rick Gerbrecht of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems Canada Ltd (tkMS Canada), his saga comes together a bit differently. He describes his entry into the field as a tale with twists and turns, a story that requires what he describes as “brutal honesty” here and there.

Life is a collection of moments and the present moment is the only moment available to us; the rest is the result of our mind’s ability to replay past scenarios and reminiscence, savour… or regret… or travel to the future and dream, create, innovate, imagine… or worry – so stay present, here and now;