Problems in the CAF

Sometimes an innocent story tells a glaring truth.  And it is a truth that no one is allowed to discuss.  At the risk of being labeled as one who does not support the Canadian military, which would be unadulterated crap, a recent Ottawa news rag ran a story on Captain Rob Warrington in the British Army. 

In 2003, Warrington, a native of Calgary, tried to join the CAF.  After long deliberation, which is common in the CAF, he was rejected.  As was a common occurrence in both the World Wars, Canadians who were rejected by Canada went off to the UK to join up with the Brits.  Warrington was accepted into the British Army and in a short period was commissioned to the officer corps.  As an officer he applied again for acceptance in the CAF and was told that, because he did not have a university degree, he could only join at the rank of Private.

And there is the nub of the story.  He was good enough to lead men in the British Army but not good enough to lead men in the Canadian Army!  Why?  He lacked a university degree.

During the World Wars, many Canadians were led by officers who bought their commissions and/or had buddies in the right spot to sponsor them.  A degree in botany from a university does not include the knowledge that is needed to direct and protect soldiers in the field.  It is a common saying in the army that officers run the army but sargents run the wars and grunts fight them.  If I were on the ground in Khandahar, I would want a grizzled-old-high-school-drop-out with battle smarts to lead me rather than someone who could quote Keates at the drop of a hat.

Take note that in the Canadian Airforce the only persons who could become Generals had to be pilots.  No flying?  No Generalship.

Whenever you hear about an incident at the command level of the CAF, ask yourself a question.  Was the officer involved the best person for the job that they were carrying out?

That is not to say that all within the officer corps of the CAF are worthless.  But the 10% tarnish the 90%.