Who leads the Canadian Forces?
Canadian Armed Forces
The Armed Forces' 92,600 personnel are divided into a hierarchy of numerous ranks of officers and non-commissioned members. The governor general appoints, on the advice of the prime minister, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) as the highest ranking commissioned officer in the Armed Forces and who, as head of the Armed Forces Council, is in command of the Canadian Forces. The Armed Forces Council also includes the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, the commanders of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Joint Operations Command, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, and other key Level 1 organizations. The Armed Forces Council generally operates from National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) in Ottawa, Ontario. The sovereign and most other members of the Canadian Royal Family also act as colonels-in-chief, honorary air commodores, air commodores-in-chief, admirals, and captains-general of Canadian Forces units, though these positions are ceremonial.
The Canadian Crown and the Canadian Armed Forces
While the National Defence Act continued to state that "[t]he Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada," the "royal" prefix was not bestowed upon the unified Canadian Armed Forces. The uses of "Royal Canadian Navy", "Canadian Army", and "Royal Canadian Air Force" were also replaced with "Maritime Command", "Mobile Command", and "Air Force Command", respectively, and a number of royally designated corps were lost into newly reorganized and designated services and branches. Not all the forces' links with the Crown, however, were lost; many of the regiments did retain their "royal" prefix, members of the Royal Family as their colonel-in-chief, and crowns on their badges and other insignia.
Canadian Rangers
The Canadian Rangers became part of the Canadian Army in October 2007, having previously been under the vice chief of the Defence Staff for the Canadian Forces. The commander of the Canadian Army is the Canadian Ranger National Authority (CRNA), but this role is delegated down to the Army Chief of Staff Reserve (ACOS Res), a brigadier-general. The commander of the Canadian Army has a small cadre of CRNA staff in Ottawa, headed by a Class-A (part-time) lieutenant-colonel and consisting of a full-time major and a small number of captains and master warrant officers. The conduit between the CRNA staff and the ACOS REs is the Director Army Reserve (DARes), a full colonel. These CRNA staff act as a conduit for information, assist with general development and improvement, assist in generating, modifying, and maintaining policy that addresses the unique nature of the Canadian Rangers (including administrative policy, unit establishment and structure, training policy, and logistical policy), and with the financing (overall funding model) of the Canadian Rangers. These staff are not directly within the chain of command and have no authority over the CRPGs, but are instead seen as the technical and advisory link between the Canadian Ranger units and the Commander of the Canadian Army.
Canadian Forces Decoration
The Canadian Forces Decoration (post-nominal letters "CD") is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the Governor General of Canada upon his or her appointment as viceroy, which includes the title of Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada. The decoration is awarded to all ranks, who must have a good record of conduct during the final eight years of claimed service.
Queen's Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces
The Queen's Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces (QR&O) are regulations having the force of law for the governance of the Canadian Forces. They are regarded as the primary document of military law and regulations in Canada – aside from the National Defence Act.
Canadian Armed Forces
The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) is a formation capable of operating independently but primarily focused on generating special operations forces (SOF) elements to support CJOC. The command includes Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2), the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU) based at CFB Trenton, as well as the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) and 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (SOAS) based at CFB Petawawa.
Royal Canadian Air Force
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; ) is the air force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2013, the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of 14,500 Regular Force and 2,600 Primary Reserve personnel, supported by 2,500 civilians, and operates 258 manned aircraft and 9 unmanned aerial vehicles. Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger is the current Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Chief of the Air Force Staff.
Section (military unit)
The Canadian Army also uses the section, which is roughly the same as its British counterpart, except that it is led by a sergeant, with a master corporal as the 2IC. The section is further divided into two assault groups of four soldiers each (equivalent to the Australian and British fireteams) and a vehicle group consisting of a driver and a gunner. Assault groups are broken down to even smaller 'fireteams' consisting of two soldiers, designated Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta. Alpha and Bravo make up Assault Group 1; Charlie and Delta make up Assault Group 2. The section commander will have overall control of the section, and is assigned to Fireteam Alpha of Assault Group 1. The 2IC will be in command of Assault Group 2, and is assigned to Fireteam Charlie.
Paul Wynnyk
Lieutenant General Paul Francis Wynnyk (born June 29, 1964) is a Canadian Army officer who served from 2016 to 2018 as Commander of the Canadian Army. On July 16, 2018, he was named Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.
Canadian Forces Northern Area Headquarters Yellowknife
As of 2018 the current base Commander is Brigadier-General Patrick Carpentier
Canada Command
Natural disaster or security incident response in Canada is generally the responsibility of local and provincial governments, who may come to require the help of the federal government. In such cases, and at the explicit request of the Minister of Public Safety, Canada Command could allocate military resources to assist civil authorities in humanitarian capacity, and if the Emergencies Act was activated, in peace enforcement capacity. The command could also be called to coordinate military resources in support of law enforcement and federal agencies as part of an Integrated Security Unit during large national events. This was the case during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the 2010 G-8 Huntsville summit and the 2010 G-20 Toronto summit. Routine operations conducted by Canada Command included the deployment of support elements to various Royal Canadian Mounted Police operations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Canadian Coast Guard in sea and coastal patrol and the war on drugs in the Caribbean, and Parks Canada in security enforcement and avalanche control. The command was also the main coordinator of joint exercises, such as the annual Operation Nanook, and a multitude of field exercises and manoeuvres. The control and coordination of military resources placed under Canada Command was assumed at the national level and through six regional task forces:
Canadian Forces Language School
The Canadian Forces Language School (CFLS) is an institution of the Canadian Forces responsible for providing language education. The CFLS has its headquarters in Gatineau, Quebec, along with its National Capital Region Training Company, and detachments at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, and Borden, Ontario. Since 1993, CFLS Detachment Borden, located at Bldg P 153, has been teaching English as a Foreign Language to military officers from Central and Eastern European countries and Far East Countries. Currently, 17 European and 2 Far Eastern countries are represented at the school.
Canadian Forces College
The CFC is a world leader in defence and security education, research, and outreach, acting as the intellectual engine of the Canadian Forces and enhancing and sustaining the effectiveness of the Canadian Forces and of defence and security organizations within Canada and its alliances.
David Millar (RCAF officer)
Lieutenant General David Byron Millar is a Royal Canadian Air Force officer. He previously served as the Chief of Military Personnel, where he was the senior officer responsible for all Canadian Armed Forces human resource policies.
Military history of Canada during World War I
Originally commanded by Lieutenant General Sir E.A.H. Alderson until 1916, command was then passed to Lieutenant General Sir Julian Byng, later, Lord Byng of Vimy and Governor General of Canada. When Byng was promoted to a higher command in the summer of 1917, he was succeeded by the commander of the 1st Division, General Sir Arthur W. Currie, giving the Corps its first Canadian commanders. In the later stages of the war, the Canadian Corps was among the most effective and respected of the military formations on the Western Front.
Canadian Forces Northern Area Headquarters Whitehorse
Canada's military has operated in the area since the days of the famous volunteer Yukon Field Force, established by the Non-Permanent Active Militia in 1898, to help the North-West Mounted Police maintain law and order during the Gold Rush.
Air Cadet League of Canada
The League is governed by a Board of Governors comprising fifteen Canadian Citizens, representing all provinces and territories. The National President of the entire organization is Donald A. Berrill, CD. The Board meets annually, to choose a President, Vice-Presidents, Executive Committee, National Honours and Awards Committee, National Fund Raising Committee, National Finance Committee, National Flying Committee, Policies and Procedures Committee, Effective Speaking Contest Committee and National Selections Committee. There is also an Advisory Board made up of the Past-Presidents of the League. The Board maintains a full-time administrative headquarters in Ottawa under the supervision of the Executive Director. This office works closely with NDHQ and provides year-round supervision and administration of the Air Cadet League and its numerous activities in support of 444 Squadrons.
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM; ) is a command of the Canadian Armed Forces. It is responsible for all special forces operations that are capable of responding to terrorism and threats to Canadians and Canadian interests around the world..
Royal Canadian Navy
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN; French: ) is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Armed Forces. , Canada's navy operates 12 frigates, 4 patrol submarines, 12 coastal defence vessels and 8 unarmed patrol/training vessels, as well as several auxiliary vessels. The Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by 5,300 civilians. Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd is the current Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and Chief of the Naval Staff.
Provost marshal
The Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM) is the branch advisor for the Canadian Forces Military Police Branch, and also the Commander of the Canadian Forces Military Police Group (CF MP Gp). The CFPM is headquartered in Ottawa and has five sections, each under the command of a deputy provost marshal (DPM): DPM Police, DPM Resource Management, DPM Individual Training and Education, DPM Security, and DPM Professional Standards.
Armed Forces Council
The Armed Forces Council is the senior military body of the Canadian Armed Forces. It meets to advise and assist the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) on all matters concerning the command, control, and administration of the forces, and generally meets once per month.
Military history of Canada
The Canadian Forces have derived many of their traditions and symbols from the military, navy and air force of the United Kingdom, including those with royal elements. Contemporary icons and rituals, however, have evolved to include elements reflective of Canada and the Canadian monarchy. Members of the country's Royal Family also continue their two-century-old practice of maintaining personal relationships with the forces' divisions and regiments, around which the military has developed complex protocols. The role of the Canadian Crown in the Canadian Forces is established through both constitutional and statutory law; the National Defence Act states that "the Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada," and the Constitution Act, 1867 vests Command-in-Chief of those forces in the sovereign.
Cadet Instructors Cadre
The Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) () Branch consists of approximately 7,500 Canadian Forces (CF) officers whose primary duty is the safety, supervision, administration and training of Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadets. The Branch is the largest single group within the Canadian Forces reserve force subcomponent Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS) and is the largest officer branch in the Canadian Forces. The COATS subcomponent of the Reserve Force employs members from all branches and occupations of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force of the Canadian Forces.
History of the Canadian Army
The North-West Field Force was a body of militia and regular troops created for quelling the North-West Rebellion of 1885, which constituted Canada's first military action without British troop support, although British officers such as Frederick Middleton were in command of the Canadian forces. Middeleton's successor as the commander of the militia, Colonel Ivor Herbert, proved to be a reformer who first revealed to the Canadian press that the ratio of officers in the militia to the privates was 1:2.24 in 1894. Herbert also created the post of quartermaster general to tend to the supply notes and appointed another British officer, Percy Lake as the quartermaster general. Herbert increased spending on the Permanent Force, and founded two new regiments, the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, the Royal Canadian Dragoons and several artillery battalions. Herbert's reforms threatened the entrenched vested interests of the militia and after much lobbying by militia colonels cum MPs, Herbert was dismissed in 1894. In 1896, the new Liberal Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier appointed Sir Frederick Borden as Defence minister, who stayed on until the Liberals lost the 1911 election. Borden was a reformer, who appointed Colonel Edward Hutton of the British Army as the militia commander. During this period, the Permanent Force acquired a medical corps, transport corps, signalling corps, intelligence corps and an ordnance corps.
Geoffrey Walsh
Lieutenant-General Geoffrey Walsh, CBE, DSO, CD (19 August 1909 – 3 April 1999) was a Canadian soldier and Chief of the General Staff, the head of the Canadian Army from 1961 – 1964; Walsh was the last officer to hold this appointment as it was eliminated in 1964 as part of the reorganization of Canada's military in the lead-up to the 1968 unification of the Canadian Forces. The most senior army appointment after unification, the Commander of Mobile Command, had a much-reduced scope of authority.
Canadian Forces Military Police
Currently, members of the Military Police Branch, serve on every base and station of the Canadian Forces in Canada, as well as with the various regiments and battalions. CFMP also serve at Royal Military College of Canada, JTF 2, Joint Task Force (North) and as Air Marshals for Code 1 (PM Canada, HEGG and Royal Family) when traveling outside Canada. CFMP continue to serve in support of deployed operations, with a significant presence in TF Afghanistan. Outside Canada locations also include the NATO E3A component in Geilenkirchen, Germany, 45 Embassies and High Commissions with the Military Police Security Service (MPSS), CFSU Europe and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Casteau, Belgium.
Canadian Corps
Although the corps was within and under the command of the British Expeditionary Force, there was considerable political pressure in Canada, especially following the Battle of the Somme, in 1916, to have the corps fight as a single unit rather than have the divisions spread out through the whole army. The corps was commanded by Lieutenant General Sir E.A.H. Alderson, until 1916. Political considerations caused command to be passed to Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng. When Byng was promoted to a higher command during the summer of 1917, he was succeeded by General Sir Arthur Currie, the commander of the 1st Division, giving the corps its first Canadian commander. Currie was able to reconcile the desire for national independence with the need for Allied integration. He resisted pressure to replace all British officers in high-ranking positions, retaining those who were successful until they could be replaced by trained and experienced Canadians. British staff officers made up a considerable part of the Corps – although by 1917, 7 of 12 infantry brigades were commanded by Canadians trained during the war, British regulars were the staff officers of the divisions and British officers held two-thirds of senior appointments across the infantry, artillery and Corps headquarters with only four of the most senior appointments being Canadian. Among the British officers were Alan Brooke (at the time a major of the Royal Artillery who planned the artillery barrages for Vimy Ridge and later) and William Ironside. Both became Field Marshals and held the position of Chief of the Imperial General Staff.
Royal Canadian Air Force Band
The Royal Canadian Air Force Band (RCAF Band) () is a 35 member military band which represents the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Canadian Armed Forces. Currently located at Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, the RCAF Band provides musical accompaniment for ceremonies of the RCAF in Canada. The band is presently under the command of Captain Matthew Clark.
History of the Royal Canadian Navy
What many think of as the modern Canadian Navy is officially known as the Canadian Forces Maritime Command (MARCOM), which was officially established 7 June 1965 as one of six functional commands which were formed under the integration reorganization of the Canadian services. The Royal Canadian Navy effectively ceased to exist 1 February 1968, when the Canadian Forces Reorganization Act was given Royal Assent. However, MARCOM, being the operational commander of the naval forces of Canada, is represented as the "Canadian Navy" and maintains many of the traditions of its predecessor. As the Canadian Monarch is the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian military, commissioned Canadian naval ships, as units of the Canadian Armed Forces, use the prefix HMCS "Her/His Majesty's Canadian Ship/Submarine," a unit designation that began with the establishment of the Royal Canadian Navy and is continued to this day under the Canadian Forces. On 14 December 2010, the Canadian Senate passed a motion urging the federal government to change the name of Canada's naval force from Maritime Command to a title that included the word "navy." Both "Canadian Navy" and "Royal Canadian Navy" were considered acceptable.
List of units of the Canadian Army
The following is a list of units of the Canadian Army as of 2014.
Note: each regular force regiment retains a parachute company.In 2004 the Canadian Forces Medical Service (CFMS) of the Canadian Forces underwent a reorganization. The army reserve units, which had formerly been titled "medical companies" (Med Coy), were renamed "field ambulances" (Fd Amb) to match the titles of the regular units. They had been designated as Field Ambulances previously, between 1906 and 1954. In addition, all regular and reserve army units were removed from the brigades and placed in a new formation under the Canadian Forces Health Services Group, which is not part of the army:In 2006, the decision was taken to create area-wide military police units within the Land Force. These units comprise all Regular and Reserve Force army military police within each Land Force Area.Regular Force
Kent Foster
Lieutenant General Kent Richard Foster CMM, CD (born c. 1938) was the Commander Mobile Command of the Canadian Forces.
Government of Canada
The monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II) is personally represented by the Governor General of Canada (currently Julie Payette). The Queen's Privy Council for Canada is the body that advises the sovereign or viceroy on the exercise of executive power. However, in practice, that task is performed only by the Cabinet, a committee within the Privy Council composed of ministers of the Crown, who are drawn from and responsible to the elected House of Commons in parliament. The Cabinet is headed by the prime minister (currently Justin Trudeau), who is appointed by the governor general after securing the confidence of the House of Commons.
Canadian Armed Forces
Canada's Armed forces operate out of 27 Canadian Forces bases (CFB) across the country, including NDHQ. This number has been gradually reduced since the 1970s with bases either being closed or merged. Both officers and non-commissioned members receive their basic training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Officers will generally either directly enter the Canadian Armed Forces with a degree from a civilian university, or receive their commission upon graduation from the Royal Military College of Canada. Specific element and trade training is conducted at a variety of institutions throughout Canada, and to a lesser extent, the world.
Canadian Corps (World War II)
The Canadian Corps was commanded initially by Lieutenant-General Andrew McNaughton (December 1940 to December 1941), who had previously commanded VII Corps. From November–December 1941 Major General George Pearkes was asked to assume command of the Canadian Corps, taking the place of Andrew McNaughton who was on an extended leave. Lieutenant-General Harry Crerar assumed command from December 23, 1941 to April 6, 1942.
History of the Royal Canadian Air Force
The Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force is the institutional head of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Starting with the Canadian Air Force in 1920, air force commanders have had several titles: Officer Commanding, Director, Senior Air Officer, Chief of the Air Staff, and Commander. In August 2011, with the restoration of the Royal Canadian Air Force name, the title "Chief of the Air Staff" was changed to "Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force."
Canadian Forces Small Arms Concentration
CAFSAC is open to teams of competitors from both the Regular Force and Primary Reserve Force of the Canadian Army (including the Canadian Rangers), Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as selected international teams and domestic police. The competition includes individual and team matches in Service Rifle (SR) and Combat Pistol (CP), with the Light Machine Gun (LMG) only used to compete in the Soldier's Cup match). CAFSAC also determines the annual winners of the Queen's Medal for Champion Shot for the Regular Force of the Canadian Forces and for the Primary Reserve or RCMP. As well, the matches are used to select the team that will represent the Canadian Armed Forces at the British Army's Central Skill at Arms Meeting (CENTSAM), conducted annually at Bisley, Surrey. The Regular Force Queens' Medalist for 2009 was a member of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Regular Force Queens' Medalist for 2011 was a Royal Canadian Air Force officer. With these two exceptions, since unification of the Canadian Forces in 1968, the Queen's Medals have always been won by a member of the Canadian Army.
Yvan Blondin
Lieutenant-General Joseph Aimé Jean Yvan Blondin CMM, CD, usually given as J Y Blondin or Yvan Blondin, was the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was appointed to the position on September 27, 2012.
Canada
The nation employs a professional, volunteer military force of approximately 79,000 active personnel and 32,250 reserve personnel. The unified Canadian Forces (CF) comprise the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Air Force. In 2013, Canada's military expenditure totalled approximately C$19 billion, or around 1% of the country's GDP. Following the 2016 Defence Policy Review, the Canadian government announced a 70% increase to the country's defence budget over the next decade. The Canadian Forces will acquire 88 fighter planes and 15 naval surface combatants, the latter as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. Canada's total military expenditure is expected to reach C$32.7 billion by 2027.
Canada
The direct participation of the royal and viceroyal figures in areas of governance is limited. In practice, their use of the executive powers is directed by the Cabinet, a committee of ministers of the Crown responsible to the elected House of Commons of Canada and chosen and headed by the Prime Minister of Canada (at present Justin Trudeau), the head of government. The governor general or monarch may, though, in certain crisis situations exercise their power without ministerial advice. To ensure the stability of government, the governor general will usually appoint as prime minister the person who is the current leader of the political party that can obtain the confidence of a plurality in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is thus one of the most powerful institutions in government, initiating most legislation for parliamentary approval and selecting for appointment by the Crown, besides the aforementioned, the governor general, lieutenant governors, senators, federal court judges, and heads of Crown corporations and government agencies. The leader of the party with the second-most seats usually becomes the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition and is part of an adversarial parliamentary system intended to keep the government in check.
Division (military)
The First Canadian Division was reactivated in 1988 and served until the 1990s when the headquarters of the division was transformed into the Canadian Forces Joint Headquarters and placed under the control of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command. The CFJHQ was transformed back into Headquarters, 1st Canadian Division, on 23 June 2010, the unit once more falling under the control of the Canadian Army. The unit is based at Kingston. Canada currently has five divisions under its command.
Jean-Marc Lanthier (Canadian Army officer)
Lieutenant General Jean-Marc Lanthier is a Canadian Army officer who became Commander of the Canadian Army in July 2018.
History of the Canadian Army
The Commander of the Canadian Army is the institutional head of the Canadian Army. The post was titled General Officer Commanding the Forces (Canada) from 1875 to 1904 when the withdrawal of British forces from Canada took place. It was then called Chief of the General Staff from 1904 until 1964 when the position was abolished with the unification of Canada's military forces. The appointment was titled Commander of Mobile Command from 1965–1993 and Chief of the Land Staff from 1993–2011. In 2011 Land Force Command was renamed the Canadian Army at which time the appointment was renamed to its present incarnation.
Canadian Forces National Investigation Service
The CFNIS Commanding Officer (CO) is a Lieutenant-Colonel, who reports directly to the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM). Regardless of the circumstance or environment, the members of the CFNIS remain under command of the CFNIS CO. The independence that results from this command relationship enables the CFNIS to conduct thorough investigations without fear of influence from any military command element.
Canadian Heraldic Authority
The Chief Herald of Canada, whose job is to oversee and direct all operations of the CHA, bears the main responsibility of granting arms, though the governor general has the authority to grant arms directly. The position of chief herald was inaugurated by Robert Watt at the inception of the CHA in 1988 and held by him until his retirement in 2007. Since June 26, 2007, the office of chief herald has been held by Claire Boudreau, formerly Saint-Laurent Herald.
Women in Canadian politics
Canada is a constitutional monarchy whose head of state, currently Queen Elizabeth II, is represented in Canada by the Governor General and in the provinces by the Lieutenant Governors, who perform the ceremonial functions of the head of state in the Westminster system. The heads of state of the territories are Commissioners representing the federal government, not the Queen. All are ceremonial roles with negligible real political power. The Governor General and Lieutenant Governors are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Canadian Armed Forces
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), headed by the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, includes 28 warships and submarines deployed in two fleets: Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) at CFB Esquimalt on the west coast, and Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) at Majesty's Canadian Dockyard in Halifax on the east coast, as well as one formation: the Naval Reserve Headquarters (NAVRESHQ) at Quebec City, Quebec. The fleet is augmented by various aircraft and supply vessels. The RCN participates in NATO exercises and operations, and ships are deployed all over the world in support of multinational deployments.
Governor General of Canada
Although the constitution of Canada states that the "Command-in-Chief of the Land and Naval Militia, and of all Naval and Military Forces, of and in Canada, is hereby declared to continue and be vested in the Queen," the governor general acts in place as Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces and is permitted through the 1947 Letters Patent to use the title "Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada". The position technically involves issuing commands for Canadian troops, airmen, and sailors, but is predominantly a ceremonial role in which the viceroy will visit Canadian Forces bases across Canada and abroad to take part in military ceremonies, see troops off to and return from active duty, and encourage excellence and morale amongst the forces. The governor general also serves as honorary Colonel of three household regiments: the Governor General's Horse Guards, Governor General's Foot Guards and Canadian Grenadier Guards. This ceremonial position is directly under that of Colonel-in-Chief, which is held by the . Since 1910, the governor general was also always made the Chief Scout for Canada, which was renamed "Chief Scout of Canada" after 1946 and again in 2011 as "Patron Scout".
Senior enlisted advisor
The Senior Enlisted advisor of the Canadian Forces is the Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer. The Army, Navy and Air Force each have their own Warrant Officer acting as Senior Enlisted advisor
Canadian Armed Forces
This unified institution consists of sea, land, and air elements referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Personnel may belong to either the Regular Force or the Reserve Force, which has four sub-components: the Primary Reserve, Supplementary Reserve, Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service, and the Canadian Rangers. Under the National Defence Act, the Canadian Armed Forces are an entity separate and distinct from the Department of National Defence (the federal government department responsible for administration and formation of defence policy), which also exists as the civilian support system for the Forces. Current end strength is authorized at 126,500, including 71,500 Regular Force members, 30,000 Reserve Force members and 25,000 civilian employees. The number of filled positions is lower than the authorized strength.
Canadian Army
The Canadian Army (French: "Armée canadienne") is the command responsible for the operational readiness of the conventional ground forces of the Canadian Armed Forces. the Army has 23,000 regular soldiers, about 17,000 reserve soldiers, including 5,000 rangers, for a total of 40,000 soldiers. The Army is supported by 3,000 civilian employees. It maintains regular forces units at bases across Canada, and is also responsible for the Army Reserve, the largest component of the Primary Reserve. The Commander of the Canadian Army and Chief of the Army Staff is Lieutenant-General Jean-Marc Lanthier.
Dragoon
There are three dragoon regiments in the Canadian Forces: the Royal Canadian Dragoons and two reserve regiments, the British Columbia Dragoons and the Saskatchewan Dragoons.
The Royal Canadian Dragoons is the senior Armoured regiment in the Canadian Forces. The current role of The Royal Canadian Dragoons is to provide Armour Reconnaissance support to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG) operations.
Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force
With the creation of the Canadian Aviation Corps in 1914, a provisional commander was appointed. This small and short-lived organization was dissolved in 1915 and it was not until 1918 that the Canadian Air Force came into being under the authority of its Officer Commanding. The Canadian Air Force was reconstituted in 1920 and the officer in command (Air Commodore Tylee) held the title of Air Officer Commanding. It was also from 1920 to 1922 that Air Vice-Marshal Sir Willoughby Gwatkin served as Inspector-General of the Canadian Air Force although formally command was held by Tylee. Tylee's successors, not being air officers, only held the title of Officer Commanding. In 1922, the senior Air Force post was redesignated as the Director and in 1924, when the Canadian Air Force was granted its Royal prefix, the officer appointed to command the Air Force continued to hold the title of Director. From 1932 to 1938 the title of Senior Air Officer was used. In late 1938, the Air Force became an independent service and its professional head was retitled Chief of the Air Staff, bringing the Canadian higher command arrangements and nomenclature into line with that of the British and Australian air forces. The title of Chief of the Air Staff was used throughout World War II and well into the Cold War years. However, in 1964, the post was abolished as part of a plan to integrate the Canadian Forces and authority over aviation units was no longer vested in a single post. This arrangement was eventually judged to be impractical and in 1975 the air units of the Canadian Forces were placed within Air Command under the authority of a lieutenant-general with the title Commander of Air Command. In 1997 the Commander of Air Command was re-designated the Chief of the Air Staff, a title which continued in use until 2011. In 2011 Air Command was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force at which time the appointment was renamed to its present incarnation."Note: There was no overall air commander between 1964 and 1975"
Governor General of Canada
Under the orders' constitutions, the governor general serves as the Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, the Chancellor of the Order of Military Merit, and the Chancellor of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. He or she also upon installation automatically becomes a Knight or Dame of Justice and the Prior and Chief Officer in Canada of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem. As acting commander-in-chief, the governor general is further routinely granted the Canadian Forces Decoration by the Chief of the Defence Staff on behalf of the monarch. All of these honours are retained following an incumbent's departure from office, with the individual remaining in the highest categories of the orders, and they may also be further distinguished with induction into other orders or the receipt of other awards.
Orders, decorations, and medals of Canada
The Canadian Forces Decoration (post-nominal letters CD) is given members of the Canadian Forces of all ranks who have completed twelve years of military service. By convention, it is also given to the Governor General of Canada upon his or her appointment as viceroy, which includes the designation of the title of "Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada". Despite its name, the Canadian Forces Decoration is a medal as opposed to a decoration.
David Barr (Canadian Forces officer)
Colonel David Barr, CD, is the former Commander of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. He was its first Commanding Officer, and had guided it since its formation.
Swiss Armed Forces
In peacetime, the armed forces are led by the Chief of the Armed Forces ("Chef der Armee"), who reports to the head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport and to the Swiss Federal Council as a whole. The current Chief of the Armed Forces is Lieutenant-General ("Korpskommandant") Philippe Rebord. Lt-Gen Rebord replaced Lieutenant-General ("Korpskommandant") André Blattmann on 1 January 2017.
British Expeditionary Force (World War I)
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Its major combat formation was the Canadian Corps, which eventually commanded four Canadian infantry divisions. The Canadian Corps' first commander was General Edwin Alderson, who was succeeded by General Julian Byng in 1916, who was in turn succeeded in 1917, by the Canadian General Arthur Currie until the end of the war. They distinguished themselves in battle from the Second Battle of Ypres, through the Somme and particularly in the Battle of Arras at Vimy Ridge in April 1917. Since they were mostly untouched by the German offensive in the spring of 1918, the Canadians were ordered to help spearhead the last campaigns of the War from the Battle of Amiens in August 1918.
Canadian Forces Northern Area Headquarters Yellowknife
Situated in Evans Building of the city of Yellowkn,ife, it is the headquarters for Joint Task Force North, part of Canadian Joint Operations Command responsible for Canadian Forces operations and administration in Northern Canada and the Arctic.
Joint Task Force (North)
Joint Task Force (North) () is responsible for all Canadian Armed Forces operations and administration in northern Canada, namely the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the waters of the Arctic Ocean (within Canada) and Hudson Bay. JTFN is headquartered in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and is part of Canadian Joint Operations Command.
1 Canadian Air Division
1 Canadian Air Division (1 Cdn Air Div) (French: "1 Division aérienne du Canada") is the operational-level command and control formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Prior to 2006 the official abbreviation for the division was 1 CAD. It is commanded by an air force major-general.
Canadian Army
Command of the Army is exercised by the Commander of the Canadian Army within National Defence Headquarters located in Ottawa. The Army is divided into four force generating divisions based on geography:The single force employing division, 1st Canadian Division, is part of the Canadian Joint Operations Command and is not under the command of the Canadian Army. It serves as a deployable headquarters to command a divisional-level deployment of Canadian or allied forces on operations, succeeding the previous Canadian Joint Forces HQ.
Land Force Atlantic Area
Land Force Atlantic Area (LFAA) was a formation responsible for Canadian Army operations in the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. LFAA is headquartered at Canadian Forces Base Halifax. The command was formed in 1992 and renamed in 2013 to become the 5th Canadian Division.
List of current Canadian first ministers
Canada is a federation that comprises ten provinces and three territories. Its government is structured as a parliamentary democracy, with a Prime Minister as its head of government; and a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its sovereign. Each of the country's provinces and territories has a head of government, called "premier" by anglophones and - the same term used for the federal leader - by francophones. Collectively, the federal Prime Minister and provincial and territorial premiers are referred to as first ministers.
Of the fourteen current first ministers, only one (Rachel Notley) is a woman, two (Bob McLeod and Joe Savikataaq) are indigenous, and none are from a visible minority. The longest-serving first minister is Bob McLeod of the Northwest Territories, who has held the position since October 26, 2011; the newest first minister is Blaine Higgs of New Brunswick, who assumed office on November 9, 2018. The oldest first minister, Bob McLeod of Northwest Territories, was born in 1952, while the youngest, Scott Moe of Saskatchewan, was born in 1973. Of the current first ministers, five are from a Liberal Party, two are from a New Democratic Party, three are from a Progressive Conservative Party, one is from the Coalition Avenir Quebec, one is from the Saskatchewan Party, and two are non-partisan. Provincial parties are not, however, necessarily affiliated with or politically analogous to their federal counterparts.
Canadian Forces Health Services Group
In May 2017 the group's national headquarters (CF H Svcs Gp HQ) moved from the former National Defence Medical Centre to the new NDHQ Carling Campus, in Ottawa, Ontario. It has two subordinate regional headquarters 1 Health Services Group with its headquarters located in Edmonton, Alberta (responsible for all health services units from Thunder Bay, Ontario, to the west coast) and 4 Health Services Group with its headquarters in Montreal, Quebec (responsible for all health services units in the remainder of Ontario to the east coast. 1 Health Services Group is commanded by Colonel Marc Bilodeau and 4 Health Services Group is commanded by Colonel Stephen Plourde. Each Health Services Group is made up of CF Health Services Centres and Field Ambulances (Regular and Reserve).
Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service
The Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service (CFMDS) () is awarded by the Chief of the Defence Staff in recognition of outstanding service, performed by individuals and groups who are not active members of the Canadian Forces. Establishment of this award was started by General Gérard Charles Édouard Thériault, CMM, CD and finished by his successor General Paul David Manson, OC, CMM, CD in 1987. The award was first approved for presentation in 1989.
Canadian Joint Operations Command
The Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC; or "COIC") is one of the two unified commands of the Canadian Armed Forces, the other one being the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. CJOC was announced in May 2012 as the result of the cost-cutting measures in the 2012 federal budget through the merger of Canada Command, the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command and the Canadian Operational Support Command under an integrated command-and-control structure. The command was stood up on 5 October 2012 to officially replace the three former organizations.
Commander-in-chief
The powers of command-in-chief over the Canadian Armed Forces are vested in the Canadian monarch, and are delegated to the Governor General of Canada, who also uses the title "Commander-in-Chief". In this capacity, the governor general is entitled to the uniform of a general/flag officer, with the crest of the office and special cuff braid serving as rank insignia.
The Canadian Crown and the Canadian Armed Forces
The place of the Canadian Crown in relation to the Canadian Armed Forces is both constitutional and ceremonial, the sovereign of Canada being the supreme commander of the forces, while he or she and the rest of the Canadian Royal Family hold honorary positions in various branches and regiments, embodying the historical relationship of the Crown to its armed forces. This modern construct stems from Canada's system of constitutional monarchy, and through its 500 years of monarchical history. The role of the Canadian sovereign within the Canadian Armed Forces is established within the Canadian constitution, the National Defence Act, and the Queen's Regulations and Orders (QR&Os) for the Canadian Forces. This relationship is symbolically represented today through royal symbols such as crowns on military badges and insignia, coats of arms, royal portraits, and the grant of the "royal" prefix to various military units and institutions.
Kevin West
Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Charles West, is a warrant officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was the Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer and therefore the most senior non-commissioned member of the Canadian Forces. He was previously the Chief Warrant Officer of the RCAF.
Law enforcement in Canada
The Chief of Police is the title of the head of most Canadian police forces except for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Commissioner), Ontario Provincial Police (Commissioner), South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service (Chief Officer), Vancouver Police Department (Chief Constable), West Vancouver Police Department (Chief Constable), and the Sûreté du Québec (Director General). Other typical ranks include:In the 1990s, the majority of began wearing bulletproof vests and municipal police agencies started carrying semi-automatic handguns in the .40 S&W calibre cartridge. In terms of numbers of officers, and due to its use by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the most widely used weapon is the Smith & Wesson Model 5946 with hollow-point 9mm ammunition. A large number of other agencies issue either a Glock or SIG Sauer handgun (most commonly in the law-enforcement popular .40 S&W).
Canadian Forces Provost Marshal
The current Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM) and Commander of the Canadian Forces Military Police Group is Brigadier-General Simon Trudeau who assumed command on May 28, 2018.
Public duties
In addition to the Foot Guards, other Canadian Army regiments can also serve in this capacity on authority of the Chief of Defence Staff. The guard at Parliament Hill and Rideau Hall are mounted daily from early June until late August, with the first parade usually on the Friday before Canada Day. In addition to units from the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force maintains the Public Duties Air Task Force, which is drawn from units all over the country to represent that particular branch.
Jean Jacques Paradis
Lieutenant General Jean Jacques Paradis CMM, CD (7 November 1928 – 31 August 2007) was the Commander, Mobile Command of the Canadian Forces.
Canada Command
Canada Command's primary role was to "deter, prevent, preempt, and defeat threats and aggression aimed at Canada". To this end, the command was responsible for assessing and developing national contingency response plans in order to react rapidly at the request of the Government of Canada. It shared resources with the Canadian Operational Support Command (now merged), the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command and to a lesser extent with the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command (also merged), offered a single point of contact for civil authorities, law enforcement agencies and security partners, and maintained a close relationship with the United States Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defence Command. The command was divided into ten subordinate organizations: six joint task forces (JTFs), three search and rescue regions (SRRs), and a single air component commander (CFACC) responsible for the allocation of air assets to the JTFs. At the national and regional level, Canada Command planned for contingencies, allocated resources for routine domestic and continental operations, and maintained the capacity to deploy military assets in assistance to civil authorities. Canada Command reported directly to the Chief of the Defence Staff and was headed by Lieutenant-General Walter Semianiw, and its senior non-commissioned member was Chief Warrant Officer Michel J.Y. Ouellet, .
Colonel commandant
The colonel commandant of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, is an appointment given by the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada to a distinguished retired armoured forces officer. The appointment is for three years, during which the incumbent is on the Canadian Forces' reserve list as the senior officer of the corps. He is responsible for advising the army commander on matters pertaining to the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. A colonel commandant travels widely to canvass the views of all ranks in the corps and frequently attends military policy conferences, ceremonies and unit celebrations. He is an "ex officio" member of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Association's executive committee.
Joint Task Force (North)
Canadian Forces Northern Area was dissolved in 2006 and replaced by Joint Task Force North (JTFN) of the new Canada Command, commanded by Vice-Admiral J.Y. Forcier. Canada Command has since been absorbed by the newly formed Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC), established in 2012. JTFN is currently commanded by Brigadier-General G.D. Loos, OMM, CD. JTFN has received increasing national attention in recent years with greater emphasis being made on Canada's claim to arctic sovereignty. Each summer, hundreds of Canadian soldiers participate in Operation Nanook, an annual display of sovereignty in Canada's northern latitudes. The operation has been held annually since 2007.
Lieutenant-general (Canada)
A lieutenant-general generally holds only the most senior command or administrative appointments, barring only Chief of the Defence Staff, which is held by a full admiral or general. Appointments held by lieutenant-generals may include Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS); Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (DCDS); Commander of the Canadian Army and Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The Canadian Crown and the Canadian Armed Forces
Members of the Royal Family will also be present for other military ceremonies besides those related to any honorary ranks they hold, including inspections of the troops and anniversaries of key battles and victories, such as commemorations of D-Day. For such events, an order of precedence is followed for organising participants and according respect and honours. The official Canadian order of precedence is the only one used in relation to the military, in which the monarch takes first place, followed by the governor general, and then other members of the Royal Family. The provincial viceroys fall in at sixteenth on the list, behind the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. The Royal Anthem of Canada, "God Save the Queen," is normally played, as may be the Viceregal Salute for the governor general or lieutenant governor, if either is representing the sovereign. A Loyal Toast may also be given; it is required at all formal mess dinners and toasts the health of the monarch. Canadian Forces members and officers are required to stand during the toast and to salute any time the Royal Anthem is played. This stipulation was challenged in 2008 by an officer of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and upheld by the Canadian Forces Grievance Board, the Chief of the Defence Staff, and the Federal Court of Canada.
Canadian Armed Forces
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is headed by the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region, based in Winnipeg, is responsible for the operational command and control of Air Force activities throughout Canada and worldwide. 1 Canadian Air Division operations are carried out through eleven wings located across Canada. The commander of 2 Canadian Air Division is responsible for training and support functions. 2 Canadian Air Division operations are carried out at two wings. Wings represent the grouping of various squadrons, both operational and support, under a single tactical commander reporting to the operational commander and vary in size from several hundred personnel to several thousand.
The Canadian Crown and the Canadian Armed Forces
Formally, there is a direct chain of command from the Queen of Canada to the governor general, through the Chief of the Defence Staff to all of the officers who hold the Queen's Commission, and through them, to all members of the Canadian Forces. No other person, including the prime minister, cabinet ministers, nor public servants is part of the chain of command; nor does any other person have any command authority in the Canadian Forces, an arrangement maintained to ensure that "the military is an agent for and not a master of the state." As such, all new recruits into the Canadian Forces are required to recite the Oath of Allegiance to the monarch and his or her heirs and successors. According to the National Defence Act, the use of traitorous or disloyal words towards the reigning king or queen is a service offence and may be punishable by up to seven years imprisonment.
Equerry
Canadian equerries are drawn from the commissioned officers of the Canadian Forces, and are most frequently appointed to serve visiting members of the Canadian Royal Family. The equerry appointed for the Queen of Canada is a senior officer, typically a major or a lieutenant-commander, while the equerry appointed for a child of the Monarch is a junior officer, typically a captain or navy lieutenant.
Regular Force
There are approximately 68,000 Regular Force personnel in the Canadian Forces.
Thomas J. Lawson
General Thomas James Lawson (born 2 November 1957) is a retired Royal Canadian Air Force general. Lawson was Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces from October 2012 to July 2015. He previously served as Deputy Commander of the North American Aerospace Defence Command.
Chief Herald of Canada
Chief Herald of Canada is the title held by the head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. The Chief Herald of Canada directs the operations of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and makes the grants of arms. There are exceptions to this, such as certain grants made directly by the Governor General. The position is currently held by Claire Boudreau.
Order of Military Merit (Canada)
The Canadian monarch—presently —is seen as the fount of honour and is thus at the apex of the Order of Military Merit as its sovereign, followed by the governor general—presently Julie Payette—who serves as the fellowship's chancellor, and the Chief of the Defence Staff—presently Jonathan Vance—who is the principal commander. Thereafter follow three grades—each having accordant post-nominal letters that are the same in both English and French. Additionally, any governor general, former governor general, or member of the Canadian Royal Family in the Canadian Forces may be appointed as an extraordinary commander, officer, or member. There are no limits to the population of any grade, and promotions are possible, though this is ordinarily not done within five years of the initial appointment. Any person thus honoured must return their lower grade insignia, as no member may at any time hold more than one appointment in the organization. Further, within the order of precedence for Canadian honours, each grade of the Order of Military Merit precedes a similar grade of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, with commanders succeeding the members of the Order of Canada.
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
Commander CANSOFCOM reports directly to the Chief of the Defence Staff, it is important to note that the Leadership of the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence maintains full oversight on all CANSOFCOM operations.
Surgeon General (Canada)
The Surgeon General is the professional head of the Canadian military health jurisdiction, the adviser to the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff on all matters related to health, and head of the Royal Canadian Medical Service. The Surgeon General is also the Commander of Canadian Forces Health Services Group, which fulfils all military health system functions from education and clinical services to research and public health. It consists of the Royal Canadian Medical Service, the Royal Canadian Dental Corps, personnel from other branches of the armed forces, and civilians, with health professionals from over 45 occupations and specialties in over 125 units and detachments across Canada and abroad. As Director General Health Services, the Surgeon General is also the senior health services staff officer in the Department of National Defence. The Surgeon General is normally the only Canadian appointed to the Medical Household as Honorary Physician (QHP) or Honorary Surgeon (QHS) to Her Majesty the Queen.
Canadian Forces Military Police
The Commander of the Canadian Forces Military Police Group is the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM), currently BGen Simon Trudeau, appointed in May 2018.
Officers and Non-Commissioned Members serve within the CFMP. The CFMP employs the same rank structure as the rest of the CF. Upon recruitment and successful completion of training, Non-Commissioned Members start off at the rank of Corporal.
Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
The Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy (French: "Commandant de la Marine royale canadienne") is the institutional head of the Royal Canadian Navy. This appointment also includes the title Chief of the Naval Staff and is based at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. This individual reports to the Chief of the Defence Staff, who then responds to the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces.
Canadian Forces Provost Marshal
Brigadier-General Simon Trudeau was quoted saying ""On behalf of the women and men of the Canadian Forces Military Police Group, I thank Brigadier-General Delaney for his leadership these past five years. Under his watch we have transformed, expanded, and built on our proud history as a policing organization respected worldwide for its professionalism and integrity. I am looking forward to working with the dedicated and talented members of the MP Group to ensure that Canada's Military Police remains operationally oriented as we implement Canada's defence policy Strong, Secured, Engaged.""
Canadian Armed Forces
The Canadian constitution determines that the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces is the country's sovereign, who, since 1904, has authorized his or her viceroy, the governor general, to exercise the duties ascribed to the post of Commander-in-Chief and to hold the associated title since 1905. All troop deployment and disposition orders, including declarations of war, fall within the royal prerogative and are issued as Orders in Council, which must be signed by either the monarch or governor general. Under the Westminster system's parliamentary customs and practices, however, the monarch and viceroy must generally follow the advice of his or her ministers in Cabinet, including the prime minister and minister of national defence, who are accountable to the elected House of Commons.
Jean-Marc Lanthier (Canadian Army officer)
Lanthier was commissioned as an armoured officer in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1989. He became commanding officer of the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada and went on to be commander of 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. After that he became Deputy Commanding General Sustainment I Corps, a unit of the United States Army, in June 2011, Commander of 2nd Canadian Division in July 2013 and Commander Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre in July 2014 before becoming Chief of Programme in April 2017.
On July 16, 2018 he became Commander of the Canadian Army.
Department of National Defence (Canada)
Both the Canadian Armed Forces (military) and the Department of National Defence (civilian civil servants) are, although two separate organizations, known collectively as The Defence Team as both institutions work closely together in the defence of Canada. The Minister of National Defence, as the member of cabinet responsible to Parliament for National Defence, heads the Defence Team. The Department of National Defence is headed by the Deputy Minister of National Defence. Under the Deputy Minister are a variety of associate deputy and assistant deputy ministers who are responsible for various aspects of the department (human resources, policy, etc.). The Deputy Minister is appointed by the Governor General on behalf of the Queen of Canada (Queen-in-Council) on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Canadian Armed Forces, as a separate and distinct organization, is headed by the Chief of the Defence Staff, and reporting to him are the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and a variety of other commands. There are also a variety of offices and support organizations which report to both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Deputy Minister.
Jim Fox (Canadian Army officer)
Lieutenant General James Arthur Fox CMM, CD was the Commander, Mobile Command of the Canadian Forces.
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
The current command chief warrant officer is Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Legault, .
Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Defence Staff follows in rank only the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces, who appoints the CDS and is the person from whom the CDS receives his or her orders. In practice, the commander-in-chief—the Canadian monarch, represented by the governor general—typically acts only on the advice of his or her ministers of the Crown, meaning the CDS normally reports directly to the Minister of National Defence.
Canadian Forces Provost Marshal
Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM) is an advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff on policing matters. He or she is an active member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. The CFPM also is the Commander of the Canadian Forces Military Police. The Organization includes the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, the investigation arm of the Canadian Forces Military Police, the Canadian Forces Service Prison and Detention Barracks, the Military Police Security Service and the Canadian Forces Military Police Academy.
Canadian Rangers
The 5000 Canadian Rangers are split between five Canadian Ranger patrol groups (CRPGs), commanded by lieutenant colonels and each allocated to a Canadian division (except 1 CRPG, which is currently allocated to Joint Task Force North). Each CRPG is unique in its make-up, according to its area of responsibility, its geography, and its ethnic make-up. For instance, 3 CRPG, headquartered in Borden, Ontario, has a single province as its area of operations (AO), while 4 CRPG with its headquarters in Victoria, British Columbia, has four provinces. Thus the unit structures between 3 CRPG and 4 CRPG are very different. 3 CRPG has a unit HQ that contains all its full-time staff and has a number of Canadian Ranger patrols throughout the northern region of its province, whereas 4 CRPG has a unit HQ, a number of traditional sub-units ("companies"), and each company has a number of Canadian Ranger patrols. In all cases, it is the job of the Army full-time staff (mostly Class-B Reserve personnel, except for 1 CRPG whose full-time staff are predominantly Regular Force) allocated to the CRPGs to lead and administer the Canadian Ranger patrols in their unit. The patrols themselves are located in various remote, isolated, and/or coastal communities around Canada and each Canadian Ranger patrol is based on such a community. Canadian Ranger patrols are (on average) approximately 30 members strong (the equivalent of a platoon in a conventional Canadian Army unit) and are led by sergeants. The patrols are further divided into the patrol HQ consisting of the patrol commander (sergeant) and the patrol second-in-command (2/i/c - a master corporal) and three 10-member sections, each commanded by a master corporal who is assisted by a corporal.
Department of National Defence (Canada)
The Canadian Sovereign, represented by the Governor General, is responsible for appointing the Minister, Deputy Minister, and Chief of Defence Staff on the recommendation of the Queen's Privy Council of Canada. Although not part of the Defence Team organizational structure, the legal military chain of command within the Canadian Forces originates from the Queen of Canada as Commander-in-Chief (represented by the Governor General), through the Chief of the Defence Staff to all military officers by virtue of their holding of the Queen’s Commission, and thus through them to all members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Canadian Armed Forces
Among other things, the Information Management Group is responsible for the conduct of electronic warfare and the protection of the Armed Forces' communications and computer networks. Within the group, this operational role is fulfilled by the Canadian Forces Information Operations Group, headquartered at CFS Leitrim in Ottawa, which operates the following units: the Canadian Forces Information Operations Group Headquarters (CFIOGHQ), the Canadian Forces Electronic Warfare Centre (CFEWC), the Canadian Forces Network Operations Centre (CFNOC), the Canadian Forces Signals Intelligence Operations Centre (CFSOC), the Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Leitrim, and the 764 Communications Squadron. In June 2011 the Canadian Armed Forces Chief of Force Development announced the establishment of a new organization, the Directorate of Cybernetics, headed by a Brigadier General, the Director General Cyber (DG Cyber). Within that directorate the newly established CAF Cyber Task Force, has been tasked to design and build cyber warfare capabilities for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Canadian Armed Forces order of precedence
All units of the Canadian Armed Forces have an order of precedence that determines seniority; it often decides such matters as which unit forms up to the right (senior side) of other units on a ceremonial parade, or the order in which marches or calls are played at a mess dinner."Note:" The honour of "the right of the line" (precedence over other units), on an army parade, is held by the units of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery when on parade with their guns. On dismounted parades, RCHA units take precedence over all other land force units except formed bodies of officer cadets of the Royal Military College representing their college. RCA units parade to the left of units of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.