Passion – and practicalities – are guiding the most recent choice made by Aviator (recruit) Melissa Pasutto: which makes joining the Royal Canadian Air Force Air Reserve make perfect sense.
Pasutto took her oath to become a Canadian Armed Forces member June 9 at the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum, in a ceremony led by 14 Air Reserve Flight. Originally from Calgary, then Fredericton, she’s been livening Greenwood with her Regular Force partner – and trying to build a life as a tattoo artist, driving back and forth to work with Halifax clients.
“Being a tattoo artist is a luxury service people choose,” Pasutto said. “I’d like to have a stable job and pay cheque, and have something close to home – and keep the art of tattooing as an art I love.”
Pasutto signed on as a Reserve air operations support technician. She heads almost immediately to her basic training, July 3, something she’s been physically preparing herself for for almost a year.
“I want to meet the goals and expectations,” she said. “My Dad enjoyed airplanes all his life, and always had us with him. He would have liked this. ‘Look, Dad!’”
Pasutto’s partner and mother watched the swearing-in ceremony, which was short and sweet – but significant.
“It’s a pleasure to hold this ceremony here at the museum, among stories of service and sacrifice from people before us,” said 14 Air Reserve Major Fred Stanley. “It shows where we’ve come from, and where we’re going as members of the RCAF Air Reserve. It will demand resilience and commitment.”
Stanley encouraged Pasutto to enjoy her basic training – just down the Valley at 5th Canadian Division Support Group, Detachment Aldershot.
“I did mine in Cornwallis, many years ago, also close by: there is no better place than here in the Annapolis Valley, close to home. Your eight weeks with comrades and classmates? They will pick you up and get you there.”
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