Resilience and Pride: A Submariner Story - Petty Officer 1st class Dale Armstrong

Petty Officer 1st Class (PO1) Dale Armstrong grew up in Victoria, B.C. Like many kids, he was taught to walk off the bumps and bruises of life.

"When we were kids, we played on the jungle gym, and we fell off, but we didn't break. We got back up after crying and we played again," said PO1 Armstrong.

But what if the injury is not visible?

Armstrong joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2007 as an infantry reservist. Soon after, he transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy as a regular force marine technician, specializing as an electrician.

In 2012, PO1 Armstrong was as a crewmember aboard His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Algonquin. The destroyer was participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific and was scheduled to conduct boarding training with a partner nation. As part of his duties, PO1 Armstrong was a rescue swimmer on the ship's boarding party team.

When the boarding boat's engine failed during the approach, it collided with the partner nation's vessel. One of PO1 Armstrong's teammates was knocked into the ocean, and without hesitation, he jumped in after him.

"My job was to be a rescue swimmer, so I jumped in and swam to him," explained PO1 Armstrong.

His teammate, weighed down by full tactical gear, was struggling to stay afloat. For fifteen long minutes, the two fought to keep their heads above water.

"It was quite scary, and we both thought we were going to drown in the water," remembered PO1 Armstrong.

A wave pushed the small boat close enough for the rest of the team to pull them to safety and return to Algonquin.

The incident left lasting effects. PO1 Armstrong was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and was deemed unable to return to operations. His teammate left the military. For a time, PO1 Armstrong considered doing the same, until therapy, family support, and determination helped him choose recovery.

"I was pretty close to release," said PO1 Armstrong. "Thankfully, by the grace of God and the mental health system in the military, I was able to rehabilitate and stay."

He credits three lessons for his recovery.

First, he chose honesty with himself and his chain of command.

"CAF life is very busy," he said. "It is important to take breaks. If you do not need to take your work home, do not."

Second, he changed his perspective on injury.

"Change the word from 'broken' to 'injured.' It is a mindset shift. That way you start thinking you can recover."

Finally, he chose accountability and resilience.

"Any small issue can be a giant mountain in my brain due to my PTSD," said PO1 Armstrong. "I need to recognise and be accountable to myself to not make it a mountain, but just a molehill. To overcome it, or ask for help if need be."

Years later, PO1 Armstrong now serves as a Chief Electrician with the Canadian Submarine Force, an environment with its own challenges. Initially, he had some doubts. However, he came to value a community where every member is expected to take action that can save lives.

"My S3's are trusted to save the submarine, and they have all the skills to do that. They operate valves and systems with little supervision because of their level of training and, to me, that's great," says PO1 Armstrong.

When asked about his greatest accomplishment, PO1 Armstrong says it was staying in the military.

"Human beings are not made of glass," said PO1 Armstrong. His journey reflects the strength of a Navy built on trust, teamwork, and resilience.