“CAF – Canadian Armed Forces”

Declan Bigras of Aylmer, Que., joined air cadets when he was 13 because he dreamt of flying fighter jets. While he got onto wait-lists, he wasn’t selected for that highly competitive program. But he did rise to second in command of the 211 Squadron in Ottawa.

It was the best five years of his life, Bigras said.

Now, at 19, he’s intent on joining the Canadian Armed Forces. But it’s taking some time. With the permission of his parents, he tried to sign up two years ago when he was 17.

I bet they fast track cross dressers though.

Canada’s military operations command has embarked on a study about how the country’s NATO deployment in Latvia can be realistically sustained into the future, and one of options could involve more permanent basing, says a senior commander.

Lt.-Gen. Steve Boivin, the commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC), said they are just beginning the analysis and recommendations have not been made to the chief of the defence staff, let alone the federal government.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced last August an extension of the Canadian mission in Latvia to 2029.

‘This isn’t a woke issue. This is a war-fighting issue’, said Lt.-Col. Melanie Lake

More than 30 years after Canada’s military allowed women to serve in combat roles, it’s now specifically designing uniforms and body armour to fit their bodies.

For decades, female soldiers have been wearing uniforms designed primarily for men and some say it has made their jobs harder, contributed to injuries and hurt morale.

Retired major Sandra Perron became the country’s first female infantry officer in 1990 and remembers being handed an extra-small men’s uniform.

Russia beware!

A non-commissioned member of the Canadian military intelligence branch has been charged with passing classified information to a “foreign entity,” the Department of National Defence revealed late Thursday.

Master Warrant Officer Matthew Robar was arrested Wednesday by military police and faces eight charges under the National Defence Act.

He’s accused of — among other things — communicating “special operational information” and breach of trust, according to a statement issued by the Defence Department.

A program intended to replace the entire stock of the Canadian military’s aging assault rifles is being sped up, CBC News has learned.

An internal Department of National Defence presentation references a move to quickly order the first tranche of weapons under the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle program.

The commander of the Canadian Army, Lt.-Gen. Mike Wright, confirmed in an interview with CBC News that the program, which has languished on the books for years, will now proceed with speedy delivery expected from a Canadian manufacturer.