Rachel Bass-Meldrum

RACHEL BASS-MELDRUM
U.E.

Active 24 year veteran, avid runner, eager student, passionate photographer …

1997 – Current – Rank: Master Corporal (MCpl)

Full Video 22+ Minutes + Article on CTV W5 website

Who is Rachel

Daughter / Soldier / Peacemaker

Rachel Bass-Meldrum U.E., is the daughter of Guy and Louise, a sister to three successful siblings and a loving aunt. Rachel’s family had weathered a few big storms before her 1997 enrollment into the Canadian Armed Forces at a young tender age of 17 while she was still in high school. She was athletic and competitive in sports during high school, and excelled academically without much effort. Her can-do attitude combined with her unique personal attributes and strong work ethic would be a welcomed facet for enriching any team environment.

As a young woman, Rachel had developed inner strength to overcome any challenges that came her way, and desired to serve in a capacity that improved the lives of those around her and the workspace she occupied. She enrolled in the Reserve Force as a Mobile Support Equipment Operator (transport) and powered through her trades training being only 19 years old at the time of completing her leadership qualifications needed for teaching. She remains an eager student who enjoys learning and teaching both inside and outside of a classroom setting.

Rachel’s work outdoors in extreme elements was where she really thrived. After experiencing many diverse roles, including working alongside high ranking General and Flag Officers and completing a temporary stint with the elite Special Forces, Rachel trained hard and continued to strive to do the best at whatever she set her mind to accomplish. The greater the challenges she faced, the more determination she showed in overcoming the obstacles that came her way. Rachel received the LFCA Commander’s coin.

Witnessing extreme poverty and misfortune

Afghanistan Deployment...and

Rachel’s firsthand exposure to witnessing extreme poverty and misfortune during an overseas deployment to Afghanistan, and a personal trip to China, compelled her to remain true to her roots and apply for a very specific field of employment in water treatment believing that she could help underprivileged people access the basic necessities of life in disaster situations.

Where to next

CFB Gagetown & Cold Lake

After competing in the CFB Petawawa Ironman triathlon in the fall of 2007, Rachel completed a Component Transfer into the Regular Force as a Water, Fuels and Environmental Technician, packing her duffle bags on very short notice to
relocate to CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick for training. This began a new adventure for the youthful, experienced and talented soldier embarking in a field that would prove to expand her in ways she could have never imagined.

Rachel completed her trades training in 2008 and was posted to 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta where she served for 8 consecutive years before a transfer to 1 CER, CFB Edmonton, Alberta.

COIN OF EXCELLENCE

Rachel was chosen to be presented a 4 Wing Chief Warrant Officer coin of excellence, and in 2017 received a Commander’s Commendation for her work during Operation NANOOK. In late 2017, Rachel was posted to Real Property Operations Unit West, Section Edmonton until late 2020.

Commander’s Commendation

Endurance
Competing and beyond

In spite of countless trials, Rachel has continued to break through imposed barriers competing in the 2018 1 CMBG Exercise MOUNTAIN MAN, carving off more than one hour when she later competed again in 2019 prior to COVID-19. Her journey thus far has deeply influenced her desire to continue helping others. In the absence of the selfless love and unique support from a very few special people who have encouraged her along the way, things would have turned out very differently.

Temporary Moments of reprieve

Love for Photography

Rachel’s love for photography has been an outlet that has offered her temporary moments of reprieve from some of the overwhelming challenges that have been met with perseverance and fortitude to keep pushing forward so that others
benefit from the long hard travelled road that she has endured, with her mother at her side all along the way!