Heather Erxleben
Encyclopedia
Heather Erxleben is a former Canadian Forces
soldier
who was the first female to graduate from a Regular Force infantry
trades training course. She graduated from the PPCLI Battle School in CFB Wainwright
, Alberta
on January 19, 1989. 21 other women had attempted to pass the 16 month training course, but she was the first to succeed.
Her first assignment after training was to 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
, at that time stationed in BC. She was in the military for three years, and left the services after her initial commitment was completed.
Before her time in the Canadian Forces, Erxleben drove a truck for a lumber company. As of 2006, Heather Erxleben is a nurse in British Columbia.
In May 2006, when interviewed by the Toronto Star
regarding the death of Captain Nichola Goddard
, the first female Canadian soldier killed in combat, Erxleben commented: “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?”
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
who was the first female to graduate from a Regular Force infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
trades training course. She graduated from the PPCLI Battle School in CFB Wainwright
CFB Wainwright
Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, commonly referred to as CFB Wainwright is a Canadian Forces Base located in Denwood, Alberta, adjacent to the town of Wainwright.-Military Camp Wainwright:...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
on January 19, 1989. 21 other women had attempted to pass the 16 month training course, but she was the first to succeed.
Her first assignment after training was to 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
, at that time stationed in BC. She was in the military for three years, and left the services after her initial commitment was completed.
Before her time in the Canadian Forces, Erxleben drove a truck for a lumber company. As of 2006, Heather Erxleben is a nurse in British Columbia.
In May 2006, when interviewed by the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
regarding the death of Captain Nichola Goddard
Nichola Goddard
Captain Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard, MSM was the first female Canadian combat soldier killed in combat, and the 16th Canadian soldier killed in Canadian operations in Afghanistan.-Profile:...
, the first female Canadian soldier killed in combat, Erxleben commented: “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?”