Ruby Brydges was born in 1964 in Regina and was raised in Brandon. She graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administrative Studies, an Advanced Diploma in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation from the Vancouver Island University in 2015, and holds a designation as a Certified Forensic Investigator.
Ruby joined the Primary Reserve in 1981 and has worked many jobs while honing her trade. She commissioned from the ranks and became an officer, attended the Logistics Finance Specialty course and finished as Outstanding Graduate. Ruby transferred to the Regular Force in August 2001.
During her time in the Regular Force, Ruby attended many logistics courses and also her Second Language Training, in which she currently holds a Public Service profile of B-A-B in French. Ruby has worked in numerous financial positions at different bases in Western Canada. She has fulfilled such positions as Staff Officer 3 in Financial Management, Management, Accounting and Organization & Establishment and Policy, and as Accounting Officer and Officer in Charge of Personnel Administration Platoon. Working at all these levels prepared Ruby to become a Base Comptroller in Canadian Forces Base Shilo, MB and Suffield, AB. After her time working at operational finances, Ruby was posted to Ottawa, ON, to work in National Defence Headquarters. Here, she worked as a Senior Analyst in Costing Services as part of the Directorate of Financial Management and then as the Senior Manager Revenue and Accounts receivable for the Department within the Directorate of Financial Operations.
There were many opportunities that Ruby had to instruct courses throughout her Reserve and Regular Force time. She also deployed on Domestic Operations during the Manitoba Flood. She also served on OP ARCHER ROTO 1 in Kandahar as the Chief Administration and Finance Officer (ChAFO) from Feb – Aug 2006. She has also completed her OPME, AJOSQ, ATOC, AOC and ALOC.
During her transition from the military to civilian life, Ruby had the opportunity to work with the Lethbridge Police Service in their Economic Crimes Section as a Fraud Analyst. Here, she worked on a file of insurance fraud that led to charges being laid and a successful conviction.
Ruby resides in Medicine Hat with her husband Tom (retired from the Artillery) and enjoys working with the Army Cadet League of Canada on the Board of Governors and the Military Family Resource Centre on the Board of Directors. She is a member of the St. John’s Presbyterian Church’s Finance and Stewardship Committee and of the South Alberta Pipes and Drums. They have one child together, Darrah (24), two from Tom’s first marriage, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.