S1 Shin: Resilience in the face of setbacks

For Sailor 1st Class (S1) Dongwon Shin, the path to service in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has never been a straight line.

From immigrating to Canada as a teenager to navigating layoffs, injuries, and career setbacks, S1 Shin has learned that success is not measured by how quickly you reach a goal, but by your determination to keep moving toward it.

Born and raised in South Korea, S1 Shin immigrated to Canada at age 16 and settled in Calgary, Alta., where he completed his high school and post-secondary education.

After a layoff from Alberta's aviation industry, he returned to school to study electrical engineering while pursuing a career in the CAF.

S1 Shin has said that learning about Canada's role in helping defend South Korea at a young age has left him with both gratitude and a sense of duty, contributing to his decision to join the RCN in 2018.

Upon completing his training, S1 Shin was eager to begin the next chapter of his naval career when he arrived at CFB Esquimalt in late 2019.

Instead, a pre-existing back injury placed him on medical restrictions, limiting his ability to participate in training and opportunities at sea. At the same time, the COVID-19 restrictions affected the defence community, creating further delays during the early stages of his naval career.

Although he was eventually cleared from his medical restrictions, S1 Shin served aboard HMCS Winnipeg and Vancouver, eventually participating in an intensive workup sail designed to prepare a ship and its crew for deployment. The successful sail appeared to put him on track for his first international deployment.

Then, just days before his departure, he received disappointing news.

Although he had been medically cleared from his previous injury, the administrative process required to update his medical status had not yet been completed, preventing him from deploying.

"I was getting ready to go," recalled S1 Shin.

"All the paperwork for being away for six months was prepared. Then, just days before the deployment, they told me I couldn't go. At that moment, all the willingness and excitement was just gone."

During this period, S1 Shin explored a Voluntary Occupational Transfer before ultimately refocusing on his professional goals and continuing his naval career

"As difficult as it undoubtedly was, you don't want to compare yourself to others, because everyone really has different timelines," said S1 Shin.

"I will still get to where I want to go, so I just try to focus on what I'm doing right now and being the best I can be."

Additional challenges followed when injuries to both hands eventually required surgery on three fingers of his right hand, delaying his training and career progression once again.

Recovery meant another pause, another setback, and another opportunity to practice patience.

Through it all, S1 Shin says the support he received from the Navy and the people around him reinforced why he remains committed to serving.

"I'm so grateful I'm here," said S1 Shin. "I don't think you can receive even close to this level of support in other careers. This is one of the great things about our Navy."

Today, S1 Shin serves with the maintenance cell at Naval Fleet School (Pacific), balancing recovery with professional development as he works toward the next stage of his career.

While his journey has not followed the timeline he once imagined, it has strengthened his perspective on what it means to serve.

This article was originally written by Archana Cini, The Lookout Newspaper, and was edited by Navy Public Affairs.

Read the full version: Humans of CFB Esquimalt 02: S1 Dongwon Shin - Pacific Navy News