Breaking: CDS Gen. Hillier to step down
End of my part of the post (I hope): Video here of General Hillier's news conference, about 30 seconds into the clip; do watch it. The CDS said he has had three priorities:
*The Afghan mission
*The defence strategy paper
*Support from Canadians for the CF.
His concern and care for CF members, and their families, shone through. A fine and great leader, the most impressive Canadian in my memory.
Latest: News conference by the CDS at 1730 EDT; I'm sure both CTV Newsnet and CBC Newsworld will carry it live. Video here of a CTV interview with Maj.-Gen (ret'd) Lew Mackenzie. See Gen. Hillier's statement to the CF at Uppestdate - so far below.
Original start of post--From CTV:
An excerpt from my post on the Conference of Defence Associations meeting, Feb. 21-22:
Predate: From David Pugliese's blog at the Ottawa Citizen, April 14:
Babbler's Update: The name I'm hearing from people I trust is Walter Natynczyk, and I'm hearing it's a done deal. Still, until an announcement is made, nothing is for absolute sure...
I should lay out the other names that have been up for discussion, though. There are only a few.
The real key is where the politicians and bureaucrats want to take this. I would have thought they'd be shying away from another Army guy, another charismatic guy, another transformational guy. I figured they'd go with Watt or Robertson, and circulate the unofficial excuse of rotating through the elements. I figured they'd want to rein the CF in a bit, like they've been trying to do on the public communications side.
Apparently I was wrong. Natynczyk would be a choice that confirms Hillier's value to the CF, to DND, to the government, and to the country. In fact, his selection would effectively quash any remaining internal resistance to the direction Hillier has taken the CF, since Natynczyk is such a staunch ally in that task.
If my info turns out to be correct, and Uncle Walt is in, I'm pleased and excited for the CF. - Babbling Brooks
Video update: The CBC's Julie Van Dusen chases Gen. Hillier down the street outside National Defence HQ.
Reflective update: I think these are the CDS's major achievements, in no order of priority:
*Restructuring the CF (Canada Command, Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, Canadian Operational Support Command)
*Re-equipping the CF (C-17s, C-130Js, CH-47s, Army vehicles and guns for Afstan, Joint Support Ship)
*Restoring CF members' pride as a combat military
*Reviving the Canadian public's interest in, and support for, the CF.
How effective the restructuring will turn out in the end remains to be seen. The re-equipping has been slowed by politics (i.e. industrial benefits, funding contraints). The members' pride and the public's support are crucial intangibles that will need to be maintained.
Any comments on other achievements--and failings?
Successor update: Another topic thread at Milnet.ca.
Uppestdate - so far: Hillier's announcement at DND:
And fare well - Mark
*The Afghan mission
*The defence strategy paper
*Support from Canadians for the CF.
His concern and care for CF members, and their families, shone through. A fine and great leader, the most impressive Canadian in my memory.
Latest: News conference by the CDS at 1730 EDT; I'm sure both CTV Newsnet and CBC Newsworld will carry it live. Video here of a CTV interview with Maj.-Gen (ret'd) Lew Mackenzie. See Gen. Hillier's statement to the CF at Uppestdate - so far below.
Original start of post--From CTV:
Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada's high-profile chief of defence staff, will be stepping down as leader of the Armed Forces, CTV News has learned.CBC Newsworld at 1100 EDT reported the date as July 1. Here's a topic thread at Milnet.ca.
Robert Fife, CTV's Ottawa bureau chief, told Canada AM on Tuesday that Hillier has reportedly decided that he wants to move on.
Fife said there is no policy disagreement or other troubles with the government...
An excerpt from my post on the Conference of Defence Associations meeting, Feb. 21-22:
He said the speech was probably his last to the CDA as CDS--especially if he gets an offer to be the Maple Leaf's general manager [a joke with a message, I think].No joke after all. Pity. Damian Penny posted about the general in July 2005:
"A soldier, not a diplomat"Babbling recently posted about his possible successor. I've heard both Lt.-Gen. Leslie and Lt.-Gen. Watt, chief of the land and air staff respectively, speak; they are terribly impressive (their turns at the CDA meeting are summarized at the post mentioned above).
Three cheers for Newfoundland's own General Rick Hillier...
Predate: From David Pugliese's blog at the Ottawa Citizen, April 14:
HILLIER GIVES AN EMPHATIC “NO” TO A POLITICAL CAREERThe right thing, in my view. A stab at politics would almost certainly prevent anyone of his ilk being appointed CDS for a very long time to come (I wonder how likely another such appointment is even now).
Babbler's Update: The name I'm hearing from people I trust is Walter Natynczyk, and I'm hearing it's a done deal. Still, until an announcement is made, nothing is for absolute sure...
I should lay out the other names that have been up for discussion, though. There are only a few.
- Andrew Leslie: Exceptionally bright, well-liked by his troops, from a distinguished pedigree, and extremely well-connected. Before I heard the scuttlebutt I did, I would have guessed if anyone was coming out of the Army side, it would be him (he's Chief of the Land Staff).
- Angus Watt: A serious fellow, from what I've heard, and widely respected. Apparently quite comfortable in political circles. And he's not Army, which might have been regarded as a plus by the bureaucrats and politicians (he's Chief of the Air Staff). More on that in a minute.
- Drew Robertson: While I'm sure VAdm Robertson is an extraordinary naval officer, the only reason I've heard his name cited as a potential successor is that it's supposedly the Navy's "turn" for the CDS position. That is to say, Henault was Air Force, Hillier was Army, and so according to some, the next guy should be from the Navy. I've never liked that attitude myself; best guy for the job should get it, not some unofficial rotation between the element branches.
The real key is where the politicians and bureaucrats want to take this. I would have thought they'd be shying away from another Army guy, another charismatic guy, another transformational guy. I figured they'd go with Watt or Robertson, and circulate the unofficial excuse of rotating through the elements. I figured they'd want to rein the CF in a bit, like they've been trying to do on the public communications side.
Apparently I was wrong. Natynczyk would be a choice that confirms Hillier's value to the CF, to DND, to the government, and to the country. In fact, his selection would effectively quash any remaining internal resistance to the direction Hillier has taken the CF, since Natynczyk is such a staunch ally in that task.
If my info turns out to be correct, and Uncle Walt is in, I'm pleased and excited for the CF. - Babbling Brooks
Video update: The CBC's Julie Van Dusen chases Gen. Hillier down the street outside National Defence HQ.
Reflective update: I think these are the CDS's major achievements, in no order of priority:
*Restructuring the CF (Canada Command, Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, Canadian Operational Support Command)
*Re-equipping the CF (C-17s, C-130Js, CH-47s, Army vehicles and guns for Afstan, Joint Support Ship)
*Restoring CF members' pride as a combat military
*Reviving the Canadian public's interest in, and support for, the CF.
How effective the restructuring will turn out in the end remains to be seen. The re-equipping has been slowed by politics (i.e. industrial benefits, funding contraints). The members' pride and the public's support are crucial intangibles that will need to be maintained.
Any comments on other achievements--and failings?
Successor update: Another topic thread at Milnet.ca.
Uppestdate - so far: Hillier's announcement at DND:
I have chosen to retire from the Canadian Forces and end my tenure as your Chief of the Defence Staff in July of this year.Godspeed, General. - Babbler
I accepted the leadership of the Canadian Forces in February 2005. My goal was to set the conditions for our sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen to succeed in our critical and often dangerous tasks in defence of Canada, Canadians, and Canadian interests and values.
We have achieved those key objectives, and reached the critical milestones I originally set out for us to reach by the end of my time as CDS. We have moulded our culture to one which recognizes that operations are our raison d’être; that our efforts, all of them, must concentrate on achieving the missions and tasks given to us by the Government of Canada, on behalf of all Canadians.
We have transformed how we recruit, train, equip, command, deploy, employ, bring home, recognize and care for our operational forces and our families, focused on achieving a strategic effect for Canada. We have done so while growing the Canadian Forces, re-equipping it, and while carrying out intense combat and peace support operations overseas and demanding, essential security tasks here at home.
We have remembered how to grieve; to never forget our comrades and dear friends who have died in the service of Canada. Their sacrifice, and that of their families, deserves our unwavering commitment to ensure their loss is not in vain.
We have been strengthened, immensely, by the vocal and visible support of millions of Canadians who have demonstrated that they recognize, understand and honour your service, and the sacrifice of your families.
Leadership in the Canadian Forces is not the role of one single person; it is the responsibility of all who wear the Canadian Forces uniform. I believe you will now be best served by the invigoration of new leadership, with the vision, energy, and strength to lead you through the challenges that will lie ahead. For we have not finished evolving. We must continue to adapt, and improve our Forces to accomplish the tasks Canadians need us to perform in the complex, dangerous security environment before us.
It is with great confidence that I await the selection of the senior leader who will take my place. I will continue to serve as your CDS until relieved of my duties by my successor, to be named in due course by our Prime Minister.
My wife Joyce and I thank you for the rewarding years we have shared with you, and look forward to many years ahead as part of the Canadian Forces family.
You are Canada’s greatest credentials, our national treasures, and I am so very proud of you. It has been my honour and privilege to be your Chief of the Defence Staff.
And fare well - Mark
posted by Mark, Ottawa at 11:05 a.m.
9 Comments:
July 1 means something special to Newfoundlanders like Hillier. I wonder if this is coincidence.
Great question, Josh. I've dropped an e-mail into the box of someone who might know, or be able to ask him directly.
Sad news, but all good things must come to an end.
Undoubtedly, the historians will debate not whether General Hillier was a good CDS, but whether or not he was the best.
So, now that his departure is official and imminent, the so called “experts” can begin debating what General Hillier’s legacy was.
General Hillier has played a key role in securing much needed equipment for a force which had suffered neglect for far too long.
His Operation Connection helped reunite the people of a complex nation with an important institution with whom they had lost touch.
He has shown two generations of CF members what it means to lead, and what it means to follow.
But General Hillier’s most important contribution is that by achieving all of the above, he returned to the men and women of the Canadian Forces the most valuable and most essential piece of equipment they could ever possess - their self-respect.
Josh, I got an answer to your question: apparently there's no set date in July yet. The July 1 date in the CTV story is speculative at this point.
Northtea: too true about the self-respect. I wrote a bit more on that topic for a mostly American audience here.
A fine, brave and eloquent soldier. A great Newfoundlander. A great Canadian.
Big boots to fill.
If Gen Natynczyk becomes CDS, that means two consecutive Dragoons in the job.
Cheers
JMH
A strong hand on the tiller.
At various points Hiller had to lead his masters - it is never an easy thing to do. He managed it with a style and a finesse which we have rarely seen in Canada.
And he took the Cup to the 'Stan.
Transmontanus gets it right...big boots.
Fair winds and a following sea to Gen. Hillier. He has set the bar high for all that follow.
PS. I'm not sure where the myth keeps coming from that there is some sort of rotation of the CDS role. In the 40 years since unification there have been 3 Admirals as CDS, the last being an Acting appointment for 1 year. Admiral Anderson was turfed after a year in order to bring back General de Chastelain (who became the first Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer to serve as CDS). You have to go back to 1977 to find the last Navy CDS who actually served a 3 year term.
BBS, I'm in agreement with you: the rotation is a myth. But I expected it to be used as political cover for a non-Army selection, when, with the exception of Watt, the strongest contenders are clearly Army officers.
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