Lt(N) Anne Day: Good support system makes deployments easier

Navy News / June 21, 2021

Meet Lieutenant (Navy) (Lt(N)) Anne Day, an Above Water Warfare Officer deployed in Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Calgary for Operation Artemis. Her contribution to the Navy’s mission in Middle Eastern waters stops revenue streams of illicit drugs that fund criminal and terrorist groups.

“It’s really important to me to make the world a more secure place for my children to grow up in, and what I do is a part of that.”

She had her sights set on a career in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) since she was a teenager from her time as a sea cadet, when one summer she sailed aboard the United States Coast Guard Cutter Eagle on a trip from Portugal to Brazil.

Some of her career highlights include firing missiles from a warship off the coasts of Scotland and Norway for a training exercise with other NATO nations.

While being away from home and family for many months is a challenging task, Lt(N) Day is confident that her three children have the support they need as she is part of a service couple; her husband also serves as a naval officer. Both are able to plan time away from home on training exercises and deployments so that there is someone available to care for their kids. The importance of a good support system and work-life balance eases the burden of stress from deployments.

Compared to her last deployment, naval ships have been updated to include wireless internet, which makes it easier to stay in touch with family back home through video calls and playing online video games. To feel a similar sense of presence while away at sea, Lt(N) Day depends on mail for letters and cherished artwork from her kids. What would normally go on the fridge at home decorates her cabin.

“My kids also send me lots of mail, mostly artwork that has become the wallpaper of my cabin in addition to the mural of photos I have next to my bed. It makes the space cozier, and makes me happy.”

For Lt(N) Day, the best part about being in the RCN is the people.

“No matter where I work there are incredible sailors, soldiers, aircrew, and Defence civilians,” she said. “A collection of the best Canadians from all over our country who are dedicated to making the world a better place, and answering a higher calling to serve.”