Heather Erxleben (born 1966) 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.
Other women had attempted to pass the 16-week 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 (PPCLI, generally referred to as the Patricia's) is one of the three Regular Force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army of the Canadian Armed Forces. Formed in 1914, it is named for Princess Patrici ...
, 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.
References
Sources
*"Woman, 22, Makes history as Canadian combat soldier" ''The Ottawa Citizen.'' Ottawa, Ont: Jan 20, 1989. pg. A.5
Living people
1966 births
Canadian female military personnel
Canadian Army soldiers
Military history of Canada
Canadian truck drivers
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