S.2 Episode 24: Visiting Defence Fellow, Col Cathy Blue

In the twenty fourth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security & Strategic Studies, and co-director of the CDSN. Steve & Erin discuss the wildfires and climate change, protests triggered by police violence in France; Wagner vs Putin; and the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius. Today’s feature interview, Steve interviews Col. Cathy Blue, the CDSN/NPSIA visiting Defence Fellow for 2022/2023, about her experience in the program.
Colonel Cathy Blue was born and raised in Hopefield, Prince Edward Island and developed her love for the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Air Cadet. Enrolling in the Canadian Forces in April 1989 as a Communication and Electronic Engineer (CELE), Lieutenant-Colonel Blue attended the University of Prince Edward Island under the Regular Officer Training Program.

Colonel Blue has served in numerous operational and training positions across the Canadian Armed Forces, including positions within 8 Wing Telecommunication and Information Systems Squadron (WTISS), J6 Operations, 76 Communications Group and the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics (CFSCE).

Colonel Blue has had the honour of holding numerous command positions throughout her career as Commanding Officer 708 Communication Squadron, Commanding Officer 8 Air Communications and Control Squadron (8 ACCS) and as Commanding Officer 8 Mission Support Squadron. All were unit located on the largest Wing in the RCAF – 8 Wing Trenton. GO FLYERS!

Colonel Blue has been posted to the Canadian Forces College (CFC) as Directing Staff for the Joint Command and Staff Programme (JSCP) and Programme Officer for the National Security Programme (NSP) followed by a posting to the RCAF Strategic Headquarters as Deputy Strategic A6 and Deputy Occupation Advisor for CELE.

She was most recently posted to newly formed Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC) as the Special Advisor to Lieutenant-General Carignan Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture.

Colonel Blue holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Computer Science from the University of Prince Edward Island, is a graduate of JCSP and holds a Masters in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada. She is an avid hockey player, who (despite a four year posting to Toronto) remains a dedicated Ottawa Senators fan. Colonel Blue is married and the couple have two sons.