“What crap!” Hillier writes in the new edition of A Soldier First, an advance copy of which was obtained by The Canadian Press.
“The National Defence Act is clear — our sons and daughters need to have direction from the leaders that Canadians have elected, and they need to have that direction passed through the Chief of Defence Staff without interference from bureaucrats who have no preparation or training for this task, and no responsibility for those lives.
“Any governments who permit anything different should have their rear ends booted out of office by moms and dads of those serving sons and daughters.”
Yeah? Well, I noticed that fart sucker nearly broke his nose trying to shove it up Martin’s butt as he crowed ‘Mission Accomplished’ when our troops managed to finally thumb a ride into Afghanistan. Men like Rick The Dick are the reason I will never wear that uniform. The man is a complete chitball himself and is unworthy of our service people. I sure as hell won’t take orders from an idiot like that – and nor should our kids.
It takes more to be a leader than having tea parties with skanks like Adrienne Clarkson. Hillier is a chit stain on the Canadian Military.
“……they need to have that direction passed through the Chief of Defence Staff without interference from bureaucrats….”
This was not a problem in the past when those bureaucrats were loyal Canadians…..not coalition supporting remnants from the losing side of the COLD WAR.
Jim
“….I sure as hell won’t take orders from an idiot like that -…”
That relieves me greatly. During WW2 we relegated such principled people as yourself to working on farms but mosting to lumber camps with armed security…..
Hillyer is an honest soldier who speaks his mind. The “civilian control” of the Armed Forces is a legacy of Paul Hellyer’s destruction of the upper echelons during Unification and the replacement of competent officers with political appointees and bureaucrats. Hillyer managed to defy the system and rise to the top despite being politically incorrect. The “civilian/military” designation of many positions in National Defence Headquarters meant that a job with a uniformed member was only secure for the three to four years he held it, but a civilian replacement could be there for 20 or more years, resulting in vastly increased influence by the non-uniformed bureaucrats. I see the general’s concerns and I also see it as the bureaucrats increasing their power base by molding the politicians to their views with one-sided briefings. With 36 years in uniform I saw the transition from three proud services, through the demoralizing Unification process and the gradual devolution back to the current “almost three” services – so, Jim, I speak from experience and I wouldn’t want you in uniform; you are not worthy.
Something is not right with that story. Hillier got along with Martin who denuded the military of capacity while kissing Hillier’s butt was a hero. PM Harper who made sure that the forces had the equipment and support to carry out their mission but didn’t kiss Hillier’s butt is a villain. Me thinks this speaks more about Hillier’s ego than reality in the upper echelons of the civilian control of Canada’s military.
“The National Defence Act is clear — our sons and daughters need to have direction from the leaders that Canadians have elected, and they need to have that direction passed through the Chief of Defence Staff without interference from bureaucrats who have no preparation or training for this task, and no responsibility for those lives.”
Of course. Managers in any field have the responsibility to hire competent people to actually run the job/business,then get the hell out of the way and let them do it!
In any field of human endeavour,when management/government has decided they know more about the work than the people they hired,it’s usually ended up a disaster.
Bureaucrats thrive in an environment of political intrigue and backroom maneuvering,but that doesn’t translate into success in the field where real results are all that matter.
From the Moscow campaign of 1941,to Vietnam in the 1960’s,to Iraq and Afghanistan in the 2000’s,the biggest problem for the soldiers has been political interference with the armies.
If the amateurs/bureaucrats/governments would let the soldiers do the bloody job they’re hired and trained to do, the result would be a hell of a lot better for all concerned,EXCEPT the enemy.
We know about politics hobbleing the military.
How many of OUR soldiers,did Cretien kill by cancelling the helicopter purchase? Consequently they were transported, via the more dangerous roadways. Dying for Liberals- what a pointless,disgusting way to go.
In the CP piece, Peter McKay is lying his face off. The relationship in Ottawa between the civilian and military parts of DND is ALWAYS strained. The only question is how much.
No, Sasquatch, it’s not about left-right ideology in Ottawa, it’s about power, and Aviator’s post shows a key reason how they get it and keep it.
If it has anything to do with the shameful pension reform and cash payments for injuries I agree with Hillier. The way I heard the lump sum payment went down is the guys figured 230,000 was the value and they could have it lump sum or gradually. It was a con and it was perpetrated by the civil service. Really, debilitating injuries are the equivalent of two years pension for a Bloc MP? I value the uniform more than that.
Well Boo Bloody Hoo for You Hillier.
Go ahead and cry yourself a river. The facts are the Conservatives have done more for the military than his beloved Liberals did or ever will.
Let’s not forget that he’s playing to the Toronto media so they’ll help him sell his book. How much promotion would they give his book if he gave credit to the Conservatives for doing all the things they’ve done? Even though a huge percentage of Canadians don’t like the idea of spending much on the military!
What a guy!
Blame Crash: The Conservatives in three and a quarter years have done nothing for the Navy (and the A/OPS is their own, silly, political idea, not the Navy’s):
“Joint Support Ship effectively sunk ”
Mark
Ottawa
Step 1 of a solution would make it illegal for any member of the Department of Defence to also be a member of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, or PSAC as well.
Step 2 would require DND employees to qualify yearly on a personal weapon of their own purchase.
Step 3 would be to require the DM DND to maintain an office at Northern Region HQ in Yellowknife, which he would occupy for at least 183 days per calendar year.
Step 4 would require the Navy to spec either an AOR or an Assault Ship. It would not be permitted for this class of ship to be associated with Que, unless the province paid its share of the program’s cost in cash, in advance.
Cheers