60 Seconds With… Lt(N) Melissa Burns on Exercise MAPLE ARCH
Video / January 23, 2025
Transcript
Why did you join the CAF?
Funny story, it was by accident. But that’s a longer story.
*Credits roll*
Hi, I’m Lieutenant(N) Burns, and I’m here in Macedonia with Lieutenant Constantine. I am a Training Development Officer with the Directorate of Military Training and Cooperation, and this is the 60 Second Challenge.
What is a TDO?
So, a TDO is a Training Development Officer. We are experts in CAF individual training and education.
What’s an interesting fact about you?
I love to travel. I’ve been to 42 countries.
What is Exercise MAPLE ARCH?
So, MAPLE ARCH is where we take a multinational brigade and teach them command and control skills, in order to achieve the NATO standard.
How many years has MAPLE ARCH been going on?
It’s actually our 25-year anniversary!
What is DMTC?
It’s the Directorate of Military Training and Cooperation out of Ottawa, and we work on Defence diplomacy in the umbrella of relationship building.
What’s your favourite thing about taking part in Exercise MAPLE ARCH?
I really like making relationships with the different countries and supporting the training that we do here.
What’s your favourite sport?
Baseball.
What is your proudest moment in uniform?
Probably when my grandmother saw me get a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and she actually passed shortly after. So, a very proud moment for me.
I’m Lieutenant(N) Melissa Burns, and this was the 60 Second Challenge.