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Canada's New Defence Minister

cupper said:
Damn. It's now official. I'm old.

Ahh memories of those sun baked days in Aldershot.

So glad that you guys upgraded your Anti-Armour and Support Weapons so that you don't need those things any more.

How do your new systems in the battalions compare?
 
Back on track, here's a well-timed documentary, both generally (about Afghanistan) and specifically (including a bit of the new Minister) ....
Canada’s new ‘badass’ Minister of Defence, Harjit Sajjan of Vancouver South, will be featured in a HISTORY Channel multi-night documentary called War Story: Afghanistan from Monday, November 9 to November 11.

Sajjan was named Minister of Defence on Wednesday when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau officially took office, but photos of the ex-army Lieutenant-Colonel and Vancouver Police officer proving his first-hand military experience on the ground in Afghanistan took over as the top story of the day.

For the millions enraptured by Sajjan’s story, War Story: Afghanistan will offer a closer look at what happened on the battle ground and feature Sajjan’s work fighting against the Taliban during Operation Medusa. The six-part series will air on the HISTORY Channel over three nights from November 9 to 11 as part of the network’s Remembrance Day coverage.

“The hard-hitting series showcases the heroism, courage, and ups and downs of that long, difficult war. Vivid interviews and riveting, high-definition footage expose viewers to sniper action behind enemy lines, friendly fire casualties, suicide bombers, and all-out combat – including NATO’s largest-ever battle – against a determined and brutal enemy,” says HISTORY. “The soldiers also share the challenges of telling friend from foe in a hostile, confusing environment, and of the sacrifice and honour in bringing the wounded and dead home from a faraway conflict.” ....

Another interesting factoid:  he reportedly patented a gas mask/hood to wear with his beard.
 
MCG said:
Given his time in uniform, could the new MND be a long-time site member/lurker and maybe now reading this thread for its entertainment and amusment value?  ...

Hello Mr Sajjan!  Congratulations on your new job.
Keener
 
The new Minister requested release on October 21, paperwork in process.
- removes link IAW site owner policy -

A former PM (and previously MND) weighed in earlier:
https://mobile.twitter.com/AKimCampbell/status/662401490317762560
https://mobile.twitter.com/AKimCampbell/status/662402145040203777
 
civmick said:
The new Minister requested release on October 21, paperwork in process.
- removes link IAW site owner policy -

A former PM (and previously MND) weighed in earlier:
https://mobile.twitter.com/AKimCampbell/status/662401490317762560
https://mobile.twitter.com/AKimCampbell/status/662402145040203777

Well, it looks like Campbell answered the question of charging authority. Since the GG is the Commander in Chief ...
 
I hope Ms. Campbell was facetious. Civil control of the military is not a job of the MND, and it does not relate to administration of the institution, it relates to the decision to employ military force, i.e. the decision to send the Army to fight somewhere. In Canada, that control is effected by the GG in  counsel, which really means the PM, usually after consulting the Privy Counsel, which really means the  cabinet.

She also fails to understand that a reservist not out on class A, B or  C service is a civilian anyway, one of the reason we use the NES system to dispose of no shows, instead of charging them with being AWOL.

I am willing to bet his release will be one of the fastest processed one in a long time  :nod:
 
CountDC said:
Oh yeah - the new jeep.  Best thing about it was self recovery so easy.  Besides the bic pen ignition.

ICYMI, you can use a pen to start a LUVW...some traditions can be passed on ;)
 
milnews.ca said:
At 381 days and counting as of this post, the wheels certainly seem to be grinding reasonably finely up to this point ....

The request was submitted in October of 2015, not 2014, so it's only 16 days and counting.

Although given 39 CBG's inimical approach to administration, 381 would not be out of the ordinary...
 
Sheep Dog AT said:
Wouldn't India have already sorted out this Issue?

Probably, but it would be for the model of equipment that India uses, which is probably different from what we issue.  His patent seems to match with Cdn issue equipment.
 
dapaterson said:
The request was submitted in October of 2015, not 2014, so it's only 16 days and counting.

Although given 39 CBG's inimical approach to administration, 381 would not be out of the ordinary...
DOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Thanks for straightening me out - and it's not even Monday  :facepalm:
 
This, from PCO, from the "who's doing what" memo ....
.... The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, will work closely with the Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, to ensure Canadian Forces members transition seamlessly to the programs and services of Veterans Affairs Canada.
Fingers crossed ....

Also attached if link doesn't work.
 
Congratulations and best of luck to Mr Sajjan on a tough job ahead. I don't wish to rain on your parade, but I think a note of caution should be struck. I get it that you were a good Reseve CO and Vancouver police constable, but MND is fundamentally different.

What counts would be having the experience of running a multi-million dollar worldwide enterprise which covers several differing types of operations on the land, sea and air (the size of each individual service would be considered a major corporation in its own right). The Forces operate with significant external oversight, legislative and legal, and is unable to generate its own budget. The business has a large workforce (90,000 f/t, 25,000 p/t) that is possibly the large single workforce in Canada; all work under differing terms and conditions and many have long term contracts.  The workforce is highly specialised and difficult to recruit, train and retain; in many cases, an employee will be with the firm up to several years before a profitable return of service is generated.

Also not to be undervalued is experience in running a large government department, used to setting demanding strategic direction, reacting to events which require operational and a political deftness of touch but bearing in mind that no matter the decision someone will disagree with you. Someone who has to grasp the daily operating requirements along with a capital spend of billions of dollars over decades which, if got wrong, will damage operational capability - and our nation's security - for generations.

I suppose the question is, if the Canadian Forces were a business searching for a Chief Executive, would Mr Sajjan have 'the right stuff' to even be shortlisted for interview?
 
What Spectrum said.

CEOs don't run for Parliament. 
 
Brihard said:
Bill Morneau?

Who will be very quickly advised by his DM that "You do not run the department. I do. Your job is policy. I execute."

And that is a hard lesson to accept for a CEO. Ministers are more akin to a "one-person" Board of Directors.
 
Oldgateboatdriver said:
Who will be very quickly advised by his DM that "You do not run the department. I do. Your job is policy. I execute."

And that is a hard lesson to accept for a CEO. Ministers are more akin to a "one-person" Board of Directors.


That's a very apt and admirably concise description, OGBD, and I'm sure you will not mind when I steal it.  :nod:
 
As I have told someone before ERC, I do not consider my  posts to be covered by copyright, so go right ahead  ;D.
 
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