Joining the Canadian Forces (CF) in1981, Barbara served five years in the Military Police in Edmonton. She then attended Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, BC and then Royal Military College in Kingston, graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Honours) and was transferred to the RCAF as a Finance Officer in the Logistics Branch. She retired at the rank of Major in 2002 and was appointed Engineering Procurement Officer for the Light Armoured Vehicle Project in Hull, Quebec, as a civilian with the Public Service (Level PG 5). In 2010, Barbara joined the Board of Directors of the RMC Club of Canada Foundation.