Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2005
- Messages
- 2,113
Hi All,
I thought that this was a wonderful nod to the past. Growing up in Canada, and around the Canadian Military I am very glad to see this continued link to the past, tradition has its place.
All the Best,
Ericka
This is from the CBC on July 9th, 2013.
Canadian Forces to go back to the future with British-style ranks
Military makeover a nod to First, Second World War triumphs, defence minister says...
The Canadian Army is marching into its past.
As part of the ongoing image makeover of the military, Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced Monday that the army will replace the Maple Leaf rank designation on the shoulder boards of officers with the traditional "pips" and Crowns in a nod to the country's past.
The ranks of non-commissioned officers will also be returned to the original British Army and Commonwealth designations.
The decision means the rank of private, within the army, will be virtually eliminated and replaced with trooper, bombardier, fusilier, rifleman or guardsman, depending on the unit.
The designations were in place throughout the First and Second World Wars, when Canada achieved some of its greatest military triumphs, and the changes don't strip away any Canadian identity, but rather strengthen the bond with the past, MacKay said.
WW II Dambusters attack marked by Alberta museum
"This takes nothing away from the Maple Leaf," he said. "There are other places which the Maple Leaf is honoured. This in no way diminishes Canadian identity, and I would suggest we are returning to the insignia that was so much a part of what the Canadian Army accomplished in Canada's name."
MacKay pointed out that the Australians have always kept their army rank and insignia closely allied with their British roots, despite a strong movement in that country to pull away from the tradition.
The army is not alone. There have been subtle changes to the uniforms of naval officers, returning a distinctive curl to the cuff rings.
The Harper government, over the last couple of years, has returned different branches of the military to their 1960s pre-amalgamation names, re-introducing the Royal designation to the air force and navy.
In addition, it changed around the placement of flags on warships, moving the naval ensign — which is closely associated with the Royal Navy — back up to the mast and flying the Canadian flag from the bow whenever a ship was in port.
MacKay also announced on Monday the elimination of the geographic designations within the domestic army command, organizing different regions of the country into their historic "divisions," replacing the somewhat bland-sounding land forces designation.
I thought that this was a wonderful nod to the past. Growing up in Canada, and around the Canadian Military I am very glad to see this continued link to the past, tradition has its place.
All the Best,
Ericka
This is from the CBC on July 9th, 2013.
Canadian Forces to go back to the future with British-style ranks
Military makeover a nod to First, Second World War triumphs, defence minister says...
The Canadian Army is marching into its past.
As part of the ongoing image makeover of the military, Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced Monday that the army will replace the Maple Leaf rank designation on the shoulder boards of officers with the traditional "pips" and Crowns in a nod to the country's past.
The ranks of non-commissioned officers will also be returned to the original British Army and Commonwealth designations.
The decision means the rank of private, within the army, will be virtually eliminated and replaced with trooper, bombardier, fusilier, rifleman or guardsman, depending on the unit.
The designations were in place throughout the First and Second World Wars, when Canada achieved some of its greatest military triumphs, and the changes don't strip away any Canadian identity, but rather strengthen the bond with the past, MacKay said.
WW II Dambusters attack marked by Alberta museum
"This takes nothing away from the Maple Leaf," he said. "There are other places which the Maple Leaf is honoured. This in no way diminishes Canadian identity, and I would suggest we are returning to the insignia that was so much a part of what the Canadian Army accomplished in Canada's name."
MacKay pointed out that the Australians have always kept their army rank and insignia closely allied with their British roots, despite a strong movement in that country to pull away from the tradition.
The army is not alone. There have been subtle changes to the uniforms of naval officers, returning a distinctive curl to the cuff rings.
The Harper government, over the last couple of years, has returned different branches of the military to their 1960s pre-amalgamation names, re-introducing the Royal designation to the air force and navy.
In addition, it changed around the placement of flags on warships, moving the naval ensign — which is closely associated with the Royal Navy — back up to the mast and flying the Canadian flag from the bow whenever a ship was in port.
MacKay also announced on Monday the elimination of the geographic designations within the domestic army command, organizing different regions of the country into their historic "divisions," replacing the somewhat bland-sounding land forces designation.
