First, let me state that the disbanding of the CAR was a mistake.
However, we are subordinate to the gov't and therefore an apology is inappropriate. An explanation would be more forthcoming. It would be the same as the gov't apologizing for cutting EI benefits or raising taxes. It might be apples and oranges, but you get my drift. Disbanding was theire prerogative, and was with, at the minimum, consultation, and the most, agreement of the CDS and his staff. Therefore the CF had its hand there too, because I don't remember any Senior staff resigning over it.
The gov't would not apologize anyway, as "they" feel that they did nothing wrong. Just as there will be no apology for the overdue replacement of Sea Kings and Labradors which has actually cost lives. With the new CO taking charge, the Regiment should have been given the opportunity to change. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. But, the Sharone incident didn't cause the disbandment. If that had been the only incident, then I am sure it would have weathered the storm. Unfortunately, it became a media magnet and all sorts of crap started to stick to it (ie hazing videos). The gov't had to be seen to do something, therefore the outcome. As we all know. not only is maintaining discipline important, discipline must be seen to be done.
The general public doesn't care/know about the Airborne, and if pressed, would venture the opinion that it was a "rogue" Regiment and deserved what it got. As I have said before you hear something often enough, it becomes fact. I bet the gov't probably believes that also, if it came up on their radar. I know that an apology would be important to the Airborne fraternity in particular, and the Army in general but it just isn't going to happen.
An important note is this time period in the CF history changed all of us. This was the beginning of SHARP, rise of PAFFOs, easier to cut our budgets, the higher ups shirking their responsibilities (Boyle), and general plunge in the CF moral. Members didn't want to wear their uniform in public (at least in NDHQ). At the time, Yugo was heating up, and the general public didn't know that Canadian soldiers were getting shot at and were shooting shooting back ( Medak just being one example). I think the general public would be very surprised of the crap that was flying around both Somalia and Yugo, and what an excellent job the vast majority did. I think thats the crime, and recognition is just starting to happen. The Somalia "incident and the disbandment of the CAR was our Vietnam, and I don't think the CF actually started to redeem itself in the public eyes until the Winnipeg floods in 1997, and come up in the public's eyes during OP Appolo.
