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Lieutenant-Colonel Barbara McManus commenced her career in the Canadian Forces Reserves in the Student Youth Employment Program in 1972 as a Private. As a non-commissioned member, LCol McManus had a varied and unique career that included obtaining combat arms qualifications such as Infantryman and Armoured Reconnaissance Crewman, and teaching Armoured Recce Crewman Courses many years before this was authorized for women. She attained the rank of Warrant Officer as an Administrative Clerk before Commissioning. Her non-commissioned career included a tour of duty with the United Nations Emergency Force Middle East, instructing on the first female RESO (Reserve Officer) course, followed a year later as the first Reserve Force Warrant Officer Instructor at the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School in Chilliwack in 1978-79 which included the first mixed Gender Regular Force Basic Officer Course. She held a variety of positions within the Fort Garry Horse including the positions of Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, Transport Sergeant, Chief Clerk and Training Warrant Officer as well as Squadron Sergeant Major.
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