EFN story date: November 13, 2018

A single mother proves that anyone can join the Canadian Armed Forces. Tiffany Watson’s rank is a bombardier in the Royal Canadian Artillery and her unit is the 10th field regiment. Watson from the Ochapowace First Nation has been with the Canadian Armed Forces for 7 years now.

Tiffany Watson, an Indigenous single mother from Ochapowace First Nation, has been with the Canadian Armed Forces for 7 years now.

“It’s offered me great opportunities in every aspect that I can think of,” said Watson. “I needed to be consistent with the training and willing to take the courses that were offered to me in order to become a better qualified soldier.”

Her career first began after she joined the Bold Eagle Program in 2012. From that moment, the passion to pursue this path was ignited. She was a single mother when she entered into the Bold Eagle Program and there were times that she felt some discouragement but she pushed through those moments.

“I told myself I deserved to be there just as much as anyone else,” said Watson. “I didn’t see it it was too late in my life to join.”

After she finished her basic training, she had another baby. Even as a single parent, Watson received a lot of support and no one made her feel differently about her having another child.

“Everyone in my unit is very helpful, the higher ranks are helpful when I ask for advice,” she said.

Tiffany Watson, an Indigenous single mother from Ochapowace First Nation, began her military career with the Bold Eagle program.

Being a part of the Canadian Armed Forces took a lot of hard work, determination and sacrifices for Watson. She said if she can do it, anyone else can too.

“There some discouraging thoughts but I always worked hard and I do the job that I’m told to do,” she said. “You can always push through and prevail. It is possible to be a single mother and to be in the Canadian Armed Forces. You just need to teach yourself about the power that you have to be able to push yourself.”

Watson went to school and received certificates for different programs but her heart has always led her back to the Canadian Armed Forces – where she gained fulltime employment. She loves everything about her job especially participating in activities where she feels obliged to do.

“I do participate in gun salutes in my gun unit and it’s a great honour to be able to do that. Each gun salute has a meaning and it feels good to be there and help honour that meaning,” said Watson. “I could always count on this employment to be a very fulfilling job.

Tiffany Watson stands proudly with her parents.

Watson also offers speaking engagements to provide advice and guidance to other females who want to pursue a career path with the Canadian Armed Forces.