Lt.-Col. Riel Erickson speaks to Business Women of Moose Jaw

Lt.-Col. Riel Erickson is the first female commander of 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2 CFFTS) at 15 Wing. Members of Business Women of Moose Jaw gathered at Grant Hall last Wednesday to hear her speak on the topic of resilience.

The purpose of the organization is to promote networking, provide support, and supply referrals that will help members succeed. 

Members of Business Women of Moose Jaw present for the luncheon were:

•    Crystal Milburn – Prairie Bee Meadery & Chair of Business Women of Moose Jaw 
•    Christine Ross – Real Estate Agent
•    Crystal Froese – City Councilor & Executive Member of Business Women of Moose Jaw
•    Roberta Fonger – Fonger Wealth Management
•    Kelly Carty – Business Development Director at Tunnels of Moose Jaw
•    Kacey Payne – Workforce Planning & Employment Strategy Specialist at SHA
•    Shannon Williams – Workforce Planning & Employment Strategy Associate at SHA
•    Cher Hajósi – D. & D. Quality Care
•    Richelle Favel – Favel Transportation
•    Tara Driggs – Business Coach
•    Kirsten Downey – Program Head, School of Business, Sask PolyTech
•    Vanessa Schaefer – Sweet Treats Candy Company

Erickson began her remarks by saying that she came to the Canadian Forces almost by accident, starting at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont., straight out of high school simply because they offered her a free education. At first, she didn’t even know where it was. 

Erickson characterized herself as an independent young woman and a “free thinker,” and says that those traits made many of the people around her at that time question her choice to join the military. 

And, she admits, it was hard. Erickson described her initial experiences, from her first year at RMC, to the first stage of flight training in Portage la Prairie, Man., as attempts by the Forces to prune out anyone who did not truly want to be there. After Portage la Prairie, she was unsure if she even wanted to be a pilot, thanks to an instructor at the school who treated her with discouraging contempt. 

It was in Moose Jaw, at 2 CFFTS, that Erickson was able to discover the joy of flying. She also discovered a team of fellow pilots that were fiercely loyal and supportive. Since then, her career has been widely varied, finally leading to her groundbreaking posting as the first female commander of 2 CFFTS.

Erickson outlined to the gathering a few rules she has developed through her years of being a fighter pilot, which have included moments of extreme stress and risk.

Firstly, one must have a purpose. Hers is to lead, serve, and support her team. Of course, Erickson also admitted that with fighter pilots there is always a motivation to be the best. 

“I’m the type of person who if you tell me I can’t do something, I’m like, OK, I’ll show you,” she laughs.

Secondly, she embraces failure. 

She quoted Viktor Frankl: “In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning,” and said that whenever difficulty comes her way, she changes her perspective and views it as a learning experience. 

Her final advice was that unless the situation is immediately threatening, you should always wait for strong emotions to fade before making big decisions or having difficult conversations. For minor situations, Erickson said two hours is a good rule. For major situations, wait two days. And when life-changing events occur, take two weeks to consider and cool down.

Further information on Business Women of Moose Jaw’s membership and events can be found at www.businesswomenmoosejaw.com