Hillier resignation update

Update: General Hillier's statement to the Canadian Forces.

CBC Radio has just announced the resignation of Canadian Chief of Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier.

Hillier assumed his position in February, 2005. He has not always popular with his political overlords. However, General Hillier may have been the most respected CDS in a generation. As recently as last week he had given no direct indication as to his plans although he firmly rejected a future in politics.

Back in December we wrote:

"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."

Now added to this list is Lt.-Gen. Walter Natynczyk, the Vice-Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS). Natynczyk has extensive and varied experience to bring to the job.

One little known fact is his very interesting military exchange experience. On exchange you are subject to the regs of the nation you are serving with, after all you are there to learn. After time at the U.S. War College Natynczyk became Deputy Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood. Soon American foreign policy was focusing on Sadam. This meant that in early 2004, he deployed with III Corps to Baghdad, Iraq. There he served as the Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy and Plans and later as the Deputy Commanding General of the Multi-National Corps (Iraq). Obviously Natynczyk has international respect as a soldier.

Hillier's resignation is to be effective July 1st, Canada Day.

Sources: As cited or linked.
Photo: DND

Report: IED crisis avoidable

One of the best defense writers on the web is Sharon Weinberger. She may be known to some of you for her investigations of whacky weapons. In Danger Room, however, Ms Weinberger looks at the report of a Marine Corps insider that "recounts in painstaking detail the missteps that delayed the fielding of bomb-resistant vehicles to Iraq."

The problem? Well, simply put "a 'Byzantine' acquisition system that pushes bureaucrats to protect their own programs and priorities, rather than seeking out the best available option."

The brief article and report will be of interest to anyone involved with or interested in: policy, politics, purchasing, or armored vehicles.

Sources: As cited

Intro to AFRICOM

The Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy recently posted a Congressional Research Service report on the new Africa Command.

Little has been written on on DoD's AFRICOM. Someone who should be a regular read, Catherine McRae Hockmuth, asks "Why is DOD struggling to fill civilian interagency jobs at U.S. Africom? A shortage of Africa expertise? A military and diplomatic corps stretched thin by war? Or something else such as outright skepticism about the role of the military in Africa?" Check out her story at Ares.

Sources: CRS Report and Ares