Rumours have been flying around since at least the Fall. Is the Chief of Defence Staff going to resign? Is General Rick Hillier just too popular, too honest, too straightforward for the Tory government?
Certainly no CDS is recent memory has been asked to do so much. As The General, Rick Hillier must successfully lead Canadian Forces in their first war effort since Korea. Politicos want someone to put a good face forward to voters. Soldiers want someone who genuinely cares. So far Hillier has succeeded beyond expectation on all counts. If anything this has made the politicians nervous. He will tell people the truth as he sees it.
Sitting in the background are two officers who could replace the "Big Cod". On one hand there is Air Force Commander Lt.-Gen. Angus Watt. On the other the Army's Lt.-General Andrew Leslie. Both are sharp although Leslie was "born" for the job and has had more media experience.
When the time comes you can be sure neither of these men would want to be seen as gaining their position because General Hillier resigned before he was ready. Those boots are already going to be pretty hard to fill.
Based on a recent interview with the National Post, Hillier would appear to be around for a while. For many this was a Christmas wish.
Further reading: David Pugliese
Photo: D.N.D
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