Canadian Army goes back to the future with return to British-style ranks and designations

OTTAWA—The Canadian Army is marching into its past.

As part of the ongoing image makeover of the military, Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced on 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 upon the unit.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/07/08/canadian_army_goes_back_to_the_future_with_return_to_britishstyle_ranks_and_designations.html

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4 replies	Author	Time	Post
Canadian Army goes back to the future with return to British-style ranks and designations (Original post)	CHIMO	Jul 2013	OP
I had the privilege of training with the Canadian Armed Forces in the 80's.	bluedigger	Jul 2013	#1
Harper is doing his best to tie Canadians to the Queen well into the future. Perhaps the GOP must be	applegrove	Jul 2013	#2
I have no idea	laundry_queen	Jul 2013	#3
Yup - I have a pretty good idea . .	ConcernedCanuk	Jul 2013	#4

Response to CHIMO (Original post)

Mon Jul 8, 2013, 10:34 PM

bluedigger (16,839 posts)

1. I had the privilege of training with the Canadian Armed Forces in the 80's.

They still had rum rations in the field, which our First Sergeant allowed us to partake in, under the condition of strictest secrecy.

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Response to CHIMO (Original post)

Mon Jul 8, 2013, 10:49 PM

applegrove (111,034 posts)

2. Harper is doing his best to tie Canadians to the Queen well into the future. Perhaps the GOP must be

terrified of all those lefty Canadians becoming Americans some day. I cannot think of another reason why we have not been allowed to be separate from the Queen. He's put her picture up at embassies everywhere. It is just weird. Anyone else have any reason why Harper is doing this?

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Response to applegrove (Reply #2)

Tue Jul 9, 2013, 03:06 AM

laundry_queen (8,646 posts)

3. I have no idea

I don't know a single conservative voter who likes the Queen. So, I have nothing.

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Response to applegrove (Reply #2)

Wed Jul 10, 2013, 09:31 AM

ConcernedCanuk (13,509 posts)

4. Yup - I have a pretty good idea . .

.
.
.

Harper has increased our reliance on the USA, sold out our oil at rock bottom prices, etc.

I suspect this move is so when we send our troops over to help clean up the USA's messes that our troops will not be known to be Canadians.

The whole world knows our flag

they will have no idea what country these new emblems represent.

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