Geneviève Bernatchez Explained

Geneviève Bernatchez
Allegiance:	Canada
Serviceyears:	1987–present
Rank:	Rear admiral
Commands:	Judge Advocate General
Awards:	Order of Military Merit Canadian Forces' Decoration

Geneviève Bernatchez is a Canadian Forces officer who has served as the fifteenth judge advocate general (JAG) since June 27, 2017. She holds the rank of rear admiral in the Royal Canadian Navy.^[1] She is the first woman to serve as JAG.^[2]

Background

Bernatchez is a native from Gaspé, Québec. She began her military career in 1987, joining the Naval Reserve at HMCS Donnacona in Montréal. 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.^{[3] [4]}

In 1999, Bernatchez deployed with the Canadian Forces Air Command during the Kosovo war.

Awards and decorations

Bernatchez's personal awards and decorations include the following:

Ribbon	Description	Notes
	Order of Military Merit (OMM)	Appointed Officer(OMM) on 04 October 2018^[5]
		Op Echo (24 Mars-10 Jun 1999)
	Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD)	with two Clasp for 32 years of service

References

1. Web site: Defence. National. 2013-03-21. Rear-Admiral Geneviève Bernatchez, OMM, CD - Biography. 2021-05-17. gcnws.
2. Web site: 2017-07-11. Military's first female judge advocate general says arrival sends a message. 2021-05-17. CTVNews. en.
3. Web site: First female judge advocate general appointed to Canadian Armed Forces. 2021-05-17. www.canadianlawyermag.com. en.
4. Web site: Government of Canada. National Defence. 2017-10-31. Crowsnest - Fall 2017 Shining at the highest levels: First woman appointed Judge Advocate General. 2021-05-17. www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca.
5. Web site: Order of Military Merit List . The Governor General of Canada.