Geneviève Bernatchez, OMM CD, is a former Canadian Forces officer who has served as the fifteenth judge advocate general (JAG) from June 27, 2017 to June 27, 2023. She held the rank of Rear admiral in the Royal Canadian Navy.[1] She was the first woman to serve as JAG.[2]
Geneviève Bernatchez | |
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Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1987–2023 (38 years) |
Rank | ![]() |
Commands | Judge Advocate General |
Awards | Order of Military Merit Canadian Forces' Decoration |
Background
editBernatchez is a native from Gaspé, Québec. She began her military career in 1987, joining the Naval Reserve Division HMCS Donnacona in Montréal as a Naval cadet. She studied law at the Université de Montréal and was called to the bar in 1993; she also holds a masters of international legal studies degree, with a specialization in national security law, from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She transferred to the Regular Force in 1997, working as a military lawyer in the JAG's office.[1][3][4]
In 1999, Bernatchez deployed with the Canadian Forces Air Command during the Kosovo war.[1]
Rear admiral Bernatchez retired in 2023, after serving 38 years in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Awards and decorations
editBernatchez's personal awards and decorations include the following:
Ribbon | Description | Notes |
Order of Military Merit (OMM) |
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General Service Medal (Canada) |
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Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal | ||
Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD) |
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References
edit- ^ a b c Defence, National (2013-03-21). "Rear-Admiral Geneviève Bernatchez, OMM, CD - Biography". gcnws. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
- ^ "Military's first female judge advocate general says arrival sends a message". CTVNews. 2017-07-11. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
- ^ "First female judge advocate general appointed to Canadian Armed Forces". www.canadianlawyermag.com. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
- ^ Government of Canada, National Defence (2017-10-31). "Crowsnest - Fall 2017 | Shining at the highest levels: First woman appointed Judge Advocate General". www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
- ^ "Order of Military Merit List". The Governor General of Canada.