Wikipedia

Canadian Army

Canadian Army
Armée canadienne
Badge of the Canadian Army
Founded19 May 1855; 170 years ago (1855-05-19)[1]
[note 1][5]
CountryCanada[note 2]
TypeArmy
RoleLand warfare
Size
Part ofCanadian Armed Forces
HeadquartersNational Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario
Motto(s)Vigilamus pro te (Latin for 'We stand on guard for thee')[7]
ColoursRifle green and gold
March"The Great Little Army"
Mascot(s)Juno the Bear[8]
Engagements
Websitewww.canada.ca/en/army.html Edit this at Wikidata
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefCharles III, King of Canada
Commander of the Canadian ArmyLieutenant-General Michael Wright
Deputy Commander of the Canadian ArmyMajor-General Peter Scott
Canadian Army Sergeant MajorChief Warrant Officer Christopher Robin
Insignia
FlagFlag of the Canadian Army since July 2016.

The Canadian Army (French: Armée canadienne) is the command responsible for the operational readiness of the conventional ground forces of the Canadian Armed Forces. 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 army is headed by the Commander of the Canadian Army and Chief of the Army Staff, who is subordinate to the Chief of the Defence Staff. The army is also supported by 3,000 civilian employees from the public service.

The army was formed in 1855, as the Active Militia, in response to the threat of the United States to the Province of Canada after the British garrison left for the Crimean War. This militia was later subdivided into the Permanent Active Militia and the Non-Permanent Active Militia. Finally, in 1940, an order in council changed the name of the Active Militia to the Canadian Army.

On 1 April 1966, prior to the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces, the land forces were placed under a new command called Mobile Command (French: Commandement des forces mobiles).[9] For two years following, the army existed as a distinct legal entity before its amalgamation with the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force to form the Canadian Armed Forces. In the 1990s, the command was renamed Land Force Command (French: Commandement des Forces terrestres), until it reverted to its original name in August 2011.[10]

During its history, the Canadian Army has fought in a variety of conflicts, including in the North-West Rebellion, the Second Boer War, the First and Second World Wars, Korean War, and more recently with the Gulf War, and in the War in Afghanistan.

History

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Main article: History of the Canadian Army

Formation

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Various uniforms used by the Canadian militia, c. 1898

Prior to Confederation in 1867, the British Army, which included both "Fencible" Regiments of the British Army—recruited within British North America exclusively for service in North America—and Canadian militia units, was responsible for the defence of Canada. Some current regiments of the Canadian Army trace their origins to these pre-Confederation militia and Fencible units. Following the passage of the Militia Act of 1855, the Permanent Active Militia was formed, and in later decades several regular bodies of troops were created, their descendants becoming the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, the Royal Canadian Dragoons, and the Royal Canadian Regiment. The major operations that regular Canadian troops, in the 19th century, participated in included: the North-West Rebellion in 1885, and the Second Boer War.

Canadian soldiers en route to South Africa in 1899

World Wars

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During the First World War, the Canadian Army raised the volunteer Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) for service overseas, and was the primary Canadian participation to the war effort.[11][12][13]

The Canadian Army also fought during the Second World War. Following the declaration of war on Nazi Germany and her allies by the United Kingdom on 3 September 1939, with Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King consulting with the Parliament of Canada and declaring war on 10 September 1939, the Canadian Army raised the Canadian Active Service Force, which initially consisted of the 1st Canadian Division; later increased to form the First Canadian Army.[14] On 19 November 1940, during Second World War, an Order in Council was issued that renamed the Permanent Active Militia as the Canadian Army (Active), supplemented by the Non-Permanent Active Militia, which was named the Canadian Army (Reserve).[4]

Post-war era and recent history (1945-present)

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The Army participated in the Korean War, with the first elements of its participation landed in Korea in December 1950 and formed part of the forces who took part in Operation Killer and the Battle of Kapyong. Canadian troops were also committed to the NATO presence in West Germany during the Cold War.

In the years following its unification with the navy and air force in 1968, the size of Canada's land forces was reduced, however, Canadian troops participated in a number of military actions with Canada's allies. These operations included the Gulf War in 1991 and the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, in addition to various peacekeeping operations under United Nations auspices in different parts of the world.[15] Despite Canada's usual support of British and American initiatives, Canada's land forces did not directly participate in,the Vietnam War, or the Iraq War.[16]

Structure

[edit]
Main article: Structure of the Canadian Army
The National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa houses the headquarters for the Canadian Armed Forces, including the commander of the Canadian Army.

Command of the Army is exercised by the commander of the Canadian Army within National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. The Army is divided into four geographical districts: the 2nd Canadian Division is based in Quebec, the 3rd Canadian Division is based in Western Canada, the 4th Canadian Division is based in Ontario, while the 5th Canadian Division is based in Atlantic Canada.[17]

The single operational formation, 1st Canadian Division, is part of the Canadian Joint Operations Command and not part 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.[18]

In addition to the four regional command areas, the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre, commanded by a major-general and headquartered at McNaughton Barracks, CFB Kingston, Ontario, is responsible for the supervision, integration and delivery of Army training and doctrine development, including simulation and digitization. It includes a number of schools and training organizations, such as the Combat Training Centre at CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick, and the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre at CFB Wainwright, Alberta.[19]

Canadian infantry and armoured regimental traditions are strongly rooted in the traditions and history of the British Army. Many regiments were patterned after regiments of the British Army, and a system of official "alliances", or affiliations, was created to perpetuate a sense of shared history. Other regiments developed independently, resulting in a mixture of both colourful and historically familiar names. Other traditions such as battle honours and colours have been maintained by Canadian regiments as well.

The senior appointment within the Canadian Army was Chief of the General Staff until 1964 when the appointment became Commander, Mobile Command in advance of the unification of Canada's military forces.[20] The position was renamed Chief of the Land Staff in 1993.[21] Following the reversion to the name Canadian Army in 2011, the position became Commander of the Canadian Army.

Regular force

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Main article: Regular Force
A sign for 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at the entrance to CFB Petawawa. The mechanized brigade group is one of three maintained by the Regular Force.

There are three mechanized brigade groups in the Canadian Army's Regular Force. Approximately two-thirds of the Regular Force is composed of anglophone units, while one third is francophone. The mechanized brigades include battalions from three infantry regiments, the Royal Canadian Regiment, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and the Royal 22e Regiment.

Between 1953 and 1971, the Regular infantry consisted of seven regiments, each maintaining two battalions (except the Royal 22e Régiment, which had three; The Canadian Guards which had four battalions between 1953 and 1957; and the Canadian Airborne Regiment, which was divided into three commandos). In addition to the Canadian Guards, and the Canadian Airborne Regiment, the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, and the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada also fielded units that served in Regular Force.

In the years that followed the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces, several units of Regular Force were disbanded, or reduced to nil strength. On 15 September 1968, the 2nd Battalion of the Queen's Own Rifles was reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle. Several weeks later, the 1st Battalion of the Canadian Guards was disbanded on 1 October 1968.

In 1970, several more units were reduced to nil strength. The 1st Battalion of the Queen's Own Rifles was reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle on 27 April 1970, with the unit's personnel forming the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Further reductions occurred from mid-June to early-July 1970, with the Regular Force unit from the Fort Garry Horse being disbanded on 16 June 1970. The 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Black Watch were reduced to nil strength on 1 July 1970, and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle. Several days later, on 6 July 1970, the 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Guards was reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle; its personnel became a part of 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. After the Canadian Guards were reduced to nil strength, the role of the Household Troop reverted to the two seniormost infantry regiments of the Reserve. The respective battalions relinquished their numerical battalion designations in 1976.

During the 1990s, the Regular Force saw further organizational restructuring. The Canadian Airborne Regiment was disbanded in 1995,[22] while the Regular Force regiment of the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's), formed in 1957, was converted to a mixed Regular and Reserve "Total Force" unit with the close-out of 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at Lahr, Germany, in 1994, before reverting to a Reserve regiment in 1997.[23]

Reserve

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Main article: Primary Reserve

The Army Reserve is the reserve element of the Canadian Army and the largest component of the Primary Reserve. The Army Reserve is organized into under-strength brigades (for purposes of administration) along geographic lines. The Army Reserve is very active and has participated heavily in all Regular Army deployments since 2002, in some cases contributing as much as 40 per cent of each deployment in either individual augmentation, as well as occasional formed sub-units (companies). LFR regiments have the theoretical administrative capacity to support an entire battalion, but typically have the deployable manpower of only one or two platoons. They are perpetuated as such for the timely absorption of recruits during times of war. Current strength of the Army Reserve is approximately 18,500.[24] On 1 April 2008, the Army Reserve absorbed all units of the former Communications Reserve.

Organization

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The Canadian Army comprises:[25][26]

Additionally, the command comprises the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre, which includes the following establishments:

Personnel

[edit]

As of 2024, the Canadian Army included 22,500 full-time soldiers in the Regular Force. In the same year the Reserve Force had 21,500 part-time soldiers, including 5,300 Canadian Rangers. In addition to commissioned and non-commissioned members, the Army employs 3,500 civilian personnel to support its operations.[6]

Rank and insignia

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Main article: Canadian Armed Forces ranks and insignia

Military ranks in the Canadian Army denote an individual's position within the Army's hierarchy. Advancement through the ranks corresponds to increased responsibility and authority. The rank structure is used to facilitate the transmission of orders during operations, ensure clarity of command, and maintain discipline and order.[27]

Commander-in-Chief

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In their capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of Canada, the governor general of Canada is entitled to wear a distinctive general officer uniform from any of the Canadian Armed Forces commands, including the Canadian Army. This uniform features a unique general sleeve braid embellished with the governor general's badge. The badge is also embroidered on the uniform’s shoulder straps.[28]

Governor General[29]
Board Sleeve

Officers

[edit]

Army officers hold positions of command and responsibility. Their roles typically include overseeing personnel, planning, and directing operations, making decisions within their scope of authority, and providing advice to achieve operational objectives.[30]

The rank insignia for Army general officers, like those of other Canadian Armed Forces general and flag officers, features maple leaves, the number of which corresponds to the officer's rank.[31][32] The rank insignia for senior officers generally consists of a combination of pips and St. Edward's Crown, although the insignia for majors only includes the crown. The insignia for junior and subordinate officers/officer cadets consists solely of pips, with the number corresponding to the officer's rank.[32][33]

NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1
 Canadian Army[34][35]
General Lieutenant-general Major-general Brigadier-general Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant
Général(e) Lieutenant(e)-général(e) Major(e)-général(e) Brigadier(ère)-général(e) Colonel(le) Lieutenant(e)-colonel(le) Major(e) Capitaine Lieutenant(e) Sous-lieutenant(e)

Non-commissioned members

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Non-commissioned members in the Army perform operational and support duties and contribute to maintaining safety, discipline, and the welfare of their units.[30]

Although private is the lowest rank specified in the National Defence Act, several Army units use alternative titles for the rank of private for regimental or historical reasons.[36] Several infantry units use alternate titles for the rank of private, including guardsman in regiments of foot guards, fusilier in fusilier units, and rifleman or voltigeur in rifle regiments. The lowest rank is trooper in the armoured corps, gunner for artillery units, signaller for the signals corps, and ranger for the Canadian Rangers. The Canadian Military Engineers use sapper as their lowest rank, while the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers uses craftsman. In military bands, the lowest rank is musician, piper, or drummer, depending on the band type and instrument.[36][37]

NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
 Canadian Army[34][35]
 No insignia
Chief warrant officer Master warrant officer Warrant officer Sergeant Master corporal Corporal Private (trained) Private (basic)
Adjudant(e)-chef Adjudant(e)-maître Adjudant(e) Sergent(e) Caporal(e)-chef Caporal(e) Soldat(e) (formé(e)) Soldat(e) (confirmé(e))

In addition to rank insignias, non-commissioned members appointed as the Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer, Command Chief Warrant Officer, or Senior Appointment Chief Warrant Officer wear distinct insignias to denote the senior appointment. Leaders of military bands, such as drum, pipe, and trumpet/bugle majors, also wear distinctive insignia denoting their appointments.[32]

Training

[edit]

Newly enrolled non-commissioned members of the Army undergo foundational training through Basic Military Qualification (BMQ), while newly enrolled officers go through Basic Military Officer Qualification (BMOQ). Both BMQ and BMOQ take place at Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School.[38][39]

Officer entry plans

[edit]

The Canadian Army commissions officers through multiple entry plans, each designed for candidates with different educational backgrounds and levels of military experience, to develop them to the required standard of proficiency expected of an officer. This typically includes providing pathways to complete an academic degree. However, individuals who already possess an academic degree or technology diploma may qualify for the Direct Entry Officer Plan, which serves as a direct pathway to commissioning.[40]

Officer cadets of the Royal Military College of Canada during the 2009 Sandhurst Competition

Several entry plans offer paid or subsidized education in exchange for military service. The Regular Officer Training Plan involves earning an academic degree at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), the Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean), or a civilian Canadian university.[41] Dedicated subsidized education entry plans also exist to enable medical and dentistry students to pursue their professional degrees at a civilian Canadian university and subsequently serve in those fields within the Army.[42] Due to shortages in specific officer occupations, the Continuing Education Officer Training Plan (CEOTP) was created for select candidates who are otherwise qualified for service as officers but lack an academic degree, allowing them to enter the Army and complete their degree while serving.[43]

Several entry plans facilitate the transition of serving non-commissioned members to officers. The University Training Plan for Non-Commissioned Members allows serving members to earn a degree at RMC, RMC Saint-Jean, or a civilian Canadian university in preparation to become officers.[44] The Commissioning from the Ranks Plan commissions experienced candidates who demonstrate officer potential, supplementing other commissioning routes.[45] The Special Requirements Commissioning Plan leverages the skills of senior non-commissioned members, such as Chief Warrant Officers, and provides them a route to commissioning.[46]

Occupational training

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Gates to Fort Frontenac home of the Canadian Army Command and Staff College

The Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre is the Army's formation tasked with training and developing military doctrine and oversees several training organizations and establishments, like the Peace Support Training Centre and the Canadian Army Command and Staff College.[47] The Army also operates several schools through the Combat Training Centre (CTC), including Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre and the Tactics School.[48]

Several unified Canadian Armed Forces schools are also accessible to Army personnel, including the Canadian Forces College and the CTC's Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering.[49][50][51] The latter institution was formerly an army run institution until 1968, when its mandate was expanded to meet the needs of the Navy and Air Force.[51]

Uniforms

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Main article: Uniforms of the Canadian Forces

The Canadian Army maintains a variety of different uniforms, including a ceremonial full dress uniform, a mess dress uniform, a service dress uniform, operational/field uniforms, and occupational uniforms. Canada's uniforms were developed parallel to British uniforms from 1900 to the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1968, though maintained significant differences. The adoption of a number of separate uniforms for separate functions, also made its uniforms become distinctively "Canadian" in the process.

Members of the Royal 22e Regiment. The public duties soldier is wearing full dress while the other wears the service dress.

Prior to unification in 1968, the uniforms between the three branches were similar to their counterparts in the forces of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, save for national identifiers and some regimental accoutrements. The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, announced on 8 July 2013 the Government of Canada's intent to restore Canadian Army rank insignia, names and badges to their traditional forms.[52]

The Canadian Army's universal full dress uniform includes a scarlet tunic, midnight blue trousers with a scarlet trouser stripe, and a Wolseley helmet. However, a number of regiments in the Canadian Army are authorized regimental deviations from the Army's universal design; including some armoured, Canadian-Scottish regiments, and all rifle/voltigeur regiments.[53] The full dress uniforms of the Army regiments originated from the Canadian militia, and was eventually relegated from combat to ceremonial use.

The present service dress uniform includes a rifle green tunic and trousers, similar to the older iteration of the service dress, although with a different cut, and an added shoulder strap. The present service dress uniforms were introduced in the late 1980s, alongside the other "distinctive environmental uniforms" issued to other branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. From the unification of the armed forces in 1968, to the introduction of the distinctive service uniforms in the 1980s, the branches of the Canadian Armed Forces wore a similar rifle green service uniform.

The Canadian Army began to issue combat specific uniforms in the early 1960s, with the introduction of "combats," coloured olive-drab shirt. The olive-drab uniforms continued to be used with minor alterations until the Army adopted CADPAT camouflaged combat uniforms in the late-1990s. With the adoption of CADPAT, the Canadian Armed Forces became the first military force to adopt digital camouflage pattern for all its units.

Equipment

[edit]
Further information: List of equipment of the Canadian Armed Forces, List of historical equipment of the Canadian military, and Planned Canadian Forces projects

Vehicles

[edit]
Further information: Tanks of Canada
A Leopard 2A4 during a military exercise at CFB Wainwright, 2017

The Canadian Army operates a variety of vehicles including the Leopard 2 series main battle tank, which includes variants such as the Leopard 2A4, 2A4M, 2A6M. These tanks are primarily deployed to provide direct fire support.[54] They are supported by LAV 6 infantry fighting vehicles, which offer enhanced fire support, protection, and mobility for infantry.[55] Armoured reconnaissance and command and control vehicles in use include the Coyote armoured vehicle and the Textron tactical armoured patrol vehicle.[56][57]

A LAV 6 infantry fighting vehicle in Saint-André-Avellin, Quebec, 2019

Other vehicles the Canadian Army uses for personnel transport and logistics includes the amphibious Bandvagn 206 and the G Wagon - Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled. Armoued support vehicles in use include the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle and the Leopard 2ARV and 2AEV variants, the latter two used for armoured recovery and engineering purposes.[54][58] Other support vehicles include the Light Support Vehicle Wheeled, Medium Support Vehicle System, and the Heavy Logistics Vehicle Wheeled.[58]

The army also operates several specialized armored vehicles for demining and route clearance, including the Buffalo, and Husky VMMD. For transport, route opening personnel utilize the Cougar mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle.[58]

Weapons

[edit]

The Canadian Army's standard issue weapon is the 5.56 mm Colt Canada C7 and C8 rifles, while the C22 pistol is the standard sidearm. The C7A2 serves as the standard personal assault rifle, while the C8A3 carbine is used when space constraints limit the use of the C7A2.[59][60]

A Canadian infanteer firing a Colt Canada C7A2, 2009

The .50 calibre C15A2 is the designated long-range sniper weapon of the Canadian Army, while the Colt Canada C20 DMR is the designated marksman rifle.[59] Weapons used to provide support and sustained fire include the C9A2 light machine gun, C6A1 general-purpose machine gun, and the M2HB heavy machine gun.[59][61][62] Other weapons used by Canadian soldiers include the 81mm mortar for indirect fire and the M72 LAW anti-tank weapon.[59]

The Canadian Army has two artillery systems, the C3 105mm howitzer and the M777 155mm howitzer.[59] The former provides close fire support while the latter system can provide fire support as far as 40 kilometres (25 mi).[63][64] The M777 howitzer is also able to be combined with the M982 Excalibur guided artillery shell, providing accurate fire up to 30 kilometres (19 mi) away.[64]

Bases and facilities

[edit]
Entrance to CFB Suffield, the largest Canadian Forces base used by the Army

There are 10 Canadian Forces Bases that the Canadian Army uses to house brigade groups and regiments, as well as to provide training and support facilities for its personnel.[65] This includes CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick, CFB Valcartier in Quebec, CFB Petawawa, CFB Kingston and CFB Toronto in Ontario, CFB Shilo in Manitoba, and CFB Edmonton and CFB Suffield in Alberta.[65][66] CFB Suffield is the largest Canadian Army base, hosting the Army's largest military training area, as well as the British Army Training Unit Suffield.[67] Alongside these 10 Canadian Forces Bases, the Canadian Army also operates several detachments and support bases, like 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Detachment Wainwright.[65]

NDHQ Carling in Ottawa houses Canadian Army Headquarters

Canadian Army Headquarters, the central administrative and command location for the Canadian Army, is located at NDHQ Carling in Ottawa.[68] The headquarters for the 2nd Canadian Division is located at 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier, Detachment Montreal,[69] while the 3rd Canadian Division is headquartered at CFB Edmonton.[70] The 4th Canadian Division operates from Denison Armoury at CFB Toronto, and the 5th Canadian Division is headquartered at CFB Halifax,[71][68] which primarily serves as a Royal Canadian Navy installation.[72]

In addition to Canadian Forces bases, the Canadian Army Reserve maintains armouries across Canada. Approximately 97 per cent of Canadians live within 45 minutes of a Canadian Army Reserve armoury.[73]

Badge

[edit]
1993–2011
2011–2016
Past versions of the badge used by the Canadian Army, with the years they were in use listed above

The badge of the Canadian Army consists of:[74]

Canadian Army Journal

[edit]

Since 1947, the Canadian Army has produced a peer-reviewed academic journal called the Canadian Army Journal. In 1965, prior to the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces, the journal was merged with similar publications from across the services. In 1980, the Canadian Army Doctrine Bulletin began printing as the successor to the original journal, and in 2004 the publication returned to its original name.[75]

See also

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References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ An Act to regulate the militia of this province and to repeal the acts now in force for that purpose [microform]: assented to 19th of May, 1855. S. Derbyshire and G. Desbarats. ISBN 9780665504136. Retrieved 26 March 2020 – via Archive.org.
  2. ^ "War Of 1812 Battle Honours". www.forces.gc.ca. Ministry of National Defence. 14 September 2012. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  3. ^ Morton, Desmond (2009). A Military History of Canada. McClelland & Stewart. p. 91. ISBN 978-1-5519-9140-5.
  4. ^ a b Stacey, Charles Perry (1955). "The Army Programme for 1941" (PDF). Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War Volume I: The Army in Canada, Britain and the Pacific. Ministry of National Defence (Canada). p. 89.
  5. ^ "Canadian Army collection" (PDF). University of Victoria Special Collections: Introduction. 1899–1984. Retrieved 24 March 2020. The Canadian Army was established in 1855 when the government passed the Militia Act, which provided for a paid, regular army consisting of active volunteer militia. Its forerunner was the militia dating back to 1651.
  6. ^ a b "About the Canadian Armed Forces". www.forces.gc.ca. Government of Canada. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Canadian Army". Ottawa: Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. 2013. Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  8. ^ "Juno the Canadian Army Mascot". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  9. ^ Dunn, Brittany (2023). "A Documentary History of the Badge of the Canadian Army". Canadian Military History. 32 (2) – via Scholars Commons @ Laurier.
  10. ^ "Navy and air force to be royal once again". CBC News. 16 August 2011. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  11. ^ "Soldiers of the First World War - CEF". Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  12. ^ "History & Heritage". Canadian Army. 25 February 2013. Archived from the original on 15 July 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  13. ^ Nicholson 1962.
  14. ^ Stacy 1956.
  15. ^ "Canada in Afghanistan: Overview of Military and Development Activities". 23 October 2010. Archived from the original on 24 September 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  16. ^ "Canada's 'No' To Iraq War A Defining Moment For Prime Minister, Even 10 Years Later". 19 March 2013. Archived from the original on 20 July 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  17. ^ "Canadian Army reverts to British-style ranks and designations". Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  18. ^ "1st Canadian Division moves to CJOC". National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  19. ^ Department of National Defence, 2011. Leader in Land Operations: LFDTS Land Force Doctrine and Training System
  20. ^ Dr. Wilf Lund (n.d.) Integration and Unification of the Canadian Forces Archived 2010-01-15 at the Wayback Machine, CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum, www.navalandmilitarymuseum.org
  21. ^ Major Andrew B. Godefroy, CD, PhD (2007) Chasing the Silver Bullet: the Evolution of Capability Development in the Canadian Army Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine, Canadian Military Journal, vol 8, no 1, pg 59.
  22. ^ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003/AF-002—Part Two: Infantry Regiments
  23. ^ Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003/AF-001—Part One: Armour, Artillery and Field Engineer Regiments
  24. ^ National Defence, Canadian Army (4 May 2017). "Canadian Army Reserve". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  25. ^ "4th Canadian Division - Ontario". Canadian Army. 20 April 2022. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  26. ^ Government of Canada, National Defence (29 June 2016). "Canadian Combat Support Brigade - Canadian Army". www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  27. ^ "Ranks and appointment". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  28. ^ "Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  29. ^ "Dress instructions | Section 2 Rank insignia and appointment badges". canada.ca. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  30. ^ a b "Joining the Canadian Armed Forces". forces.ca. Government of Canada. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  31. ^ Rehman, Mishall (5 April 2016). "General Officer Rank Insignia to change". www.cmfmag.ca. Canadian Military Family Magazine. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  32. ^ a b c "Canadian Army ranks and badges". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  33. ^ Cudmore, James. "Canadian Forces' return to old-style ranks, insignia costs millions". www.cbc.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
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  35. ^ a b "The Canadian Armed Forces modernizes military ranks in French". Canada. Government of Canada. 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
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  37. ^ "Heritage Structure - Annex A – Short Forms of Address". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
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  39. ^ "Joining the Canadian Armed Forces". forces.ca. Canadian Amed Forces. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  40. ^ "DAOD 5002-2, Direct Entry Officer Plan - Regular Force". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
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  42. ^ "Specialty Programs". forces.ca. Canadian Amed Forces. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
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  44. ^ "DAOD 5002-9, University Training Plan for Non-Commissioned Members – Regular Force". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  45. ^ "DAOD 5002-10, Commissioning from the Ranks Plan". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  46. ^ "DAOD 5002-11, Special Commissioning Plan". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
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  49. ^ "About the Canadian Forces College". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  50. ^ "Canadian Armed Forces schools and training establishments". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  51. ^ a b "The Schools of Military Engineering". cmea-agmc.ca. The Canadian MIlitar Engineers Association. 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  52. ^ "Canadian Forces to go back to the future with British-style ranks". Archived from the original on 10 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  53. ^ "6-1". Canadian Armed Forces Dress Instruction (PDF). Canadian Armed Forces. 1 June 2001. p. 211. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  54. ^ a b "Leopard 2 Family of Vehicles". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  55. ^ "Leopard 2 Family of Vehicles". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  56. ^ "Coyote". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  57. ^ "Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV)". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  58. ^ a b c "Vehicles". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  59. ^ a b c d e "Weapons". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  60. ^ "C8A3 Carbine Automatic Rifle". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  61. ^ "FN Herstal M2HB-QCB .50-Cal. Heavy Machine Gun". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  62. ^ "C6 and C6A1 7.62-mm Medium Machine Gun". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  63. ^ "C3 105-mm Howitzer". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  64. ^ a b "M777 Howitzer". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
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  72. ^ "MARLANT Units". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  73. ^ "Canadian Army Reserve Armouries across Canada get set to welcome the public". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
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  75. ^ Canadian Army Journal Archived 2005-10-27 at the Wayback Machine

Notes

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  1. ^ The Canadian Army originates from the Province of Canada's "Active Militia", created through the Militia Act of 1855. However, several Canadian Army units perpetuate the battle honours of Canadian units from the War of 1812.[2] The Active Militia was later adopted by the Canadian confederation through the Militia Act of 1868.[3] In 1940, an order in council renamed the Active Militia to the Canadian Army.[4] In 1968, the Canadian Army was formally amalgamated into the Canadian Armed Forces, serving as the forces' land component.
  2. ^ Province of Canada (1855–1867)

Bibliography

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Further reading

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  • Kasurak, Peter. A National Force: The Evolution of Canada's Army, 1950–2000 (Vancouver: UBC Press, 2013)
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