Captain Danielle Hargreaves was the first female and first Mi’kmaq Commanding Officer of 117 Preston/Westphal (2015-2019). She holds a Master of Arts in History from Brock University (2013) and a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in History from Mount Saint Vincent University (2012). Her honors thesis, “Moving Mountains: The No. 2 Construction Battalion and African Canadian Experience During the First World War” traced the wartime experience of Canada’s Black Battalion from the formation of the battalion through to their overseas service and post-war disbandment. Her Masters research examined the Great War’s impact on Black Canadian employment. Capt Hargreaves speaks annually at symposiums and academic conferences across Canada on topics of identity, segregation, racism, and human rights.

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Captain Hargreaves was an Army Cadet until she joined the Cadet Instructors Cadre in 2008. As a cadet, Captain Hargreaves was actively involved biathlon, marksmanship, and orienteering as a competitor, having participated at the Zone and Provincial levels in marksmanship, biathlon, and orientarring on multiple occasions. She has continued to work with the biathlon and marksmanship program as both a coach and an official. Captain Hargreaves has also had the opportunity to work as an expedition team leader on many gold and silver star expedition weekends. In the summers, she has filled a number of different positions including Platoon Commander for the General Training and Basic Cadet Leadership courses, as well as Course Director for the Basic Marksman and the Fitness and Sports Instructor courses at Argonaut CTC.

 

Captain Hargreaves has served with three cadet units during her CIC career: 2741 Eastern Shore RCACC as an instructor, marksmanship coach, Supply Officer, and Training Officer; 68 Lincoln and Welland Regiment RCACC where she was recognized for rescuing a cadet in anaphylactic shock; and 117 Preston/Westphal RCACC as Training Officer, marksmanship coach, Administration Officer, Technical Services Officer,and Commanding Officer.

 

For her significant contributions to the CAF and her exceptional service as CO of 117 RCACC, Captain Hargreaves received the Commander National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group Commendation in 2019. In 2022 she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for her community service, human rights advocacy work, and her dedication to the preservation of the history and legacy of the No. 2 Construction Battalion.

 

In 2022, Captain Hargreaves left her eight-year career with the Victorian Order of Nurses to pursue a Juris Doctor degree from Dalhousie University's Schulich School of Law.