For Women’s History Month, eVeritas is pleased to recognize Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, whose remarkable 38-year career was shaped by service, leadership and a long list of firsts.
From the bridge of a Canadian warship to the leadership of the Royal Military College of Canada, Kurtz often found herself in roles where few women had gone before. Along the way, she helped show what was possible and opened doors for those who would follow.
Kurtz joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1988 and built her early career at sea, developing expertise in navigation and naval operations. In 1995, she became the first, and at the time only, woman to complete the maritime advanced navigation officer course. It was an early sign of the barrier-breaking career ahead.
In April 2009, she reached another milestone, becoming the first woman to command a major Canadian warship when she took command of HMCS Halifax. During her time in command, the frigate deployed to Haiti to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief after the devastating January 2010 earthquake.
Her leadership continued both ashore and at sea. She held senior roles in naval personnel and training, naval operations, defence security and the Royal Canadian Navy’s COVID-19 response. In 2019, she added another first to her record when she became the first woman to command a Standing NATO Maritime Group, leading SNMG2 in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region.
Kurtz was promoted to rear-admiral in May 2023. A month later, she became the first woman to command an RCN coastal formation as Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic. She also served as Commander Joint Task Force Atlantic, overseeing Canadian Armed Forces operations across Atlantic Canada and the surrounding waters and airspace.
Her appointment at RMC on 8 July 2021 was especially meaningful to our community. As the College’s first woman Commandant and vice-chancellor, she brought decades of operational, instructional and strategic experience to the task of developing Canada’s future military leaders.
Her connection to RMC was personal as well as professional. While building a demanding naval career, Kurtz completed a Master of Defence Studies at the College in 2007. Years later, she returned not as a student but as RMC’s senior military leader, a fitting reflection of her commitment to learning, perseverance and service.
For officer and naval cadets, seeing Kurtz at the head of the College offered a powerful example of leadership grounded in operational experience, education and public service. Her appointment also marked an important moment in RMC’s history.
Kurtz concluded her naval service in August 2026 after 38 years in uniform. By then, she had helped reshape expectations at sea, within NATO, at RMC and across the senior leadership of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Women’s History Month gives us a chance not only to celebrate individual achievements, but also to think about how each milestone expands what is possible for the next generation. Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz’s career is a reminder that history is often made one qualification, one command and one opportunity to lead at a time.
eVeritas salutes Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz for her distinguished service and for helping widen the path for women across the RCN, the CAF and the RMC community.
