Re: Royal titles
Removing the word Royal from the air force and navy did not lower morale; however removing three distinct uniforms and rank structure did in 1968.
• The navy blue uniform became dark green.
• The brown army uniform became dark green.
• The light blue air force uniform became dark green.
Everyone was dark green just like the deliveryman. We were called little green men at home and laughed at by our allies abroad who were just as confused as we were.
Next, they eliminated three distinct rank structures.
• The navy admiral became a general.
• The air force wing commander became a lieutenant general.
• A crown in the army was no longer a major but a warrant officer in the three services.
• The navy petty officer, depending on his class, became anything from a sergeant to chief warrant and the list goes on.
Now if you didn't understand this, neither did the military for a while but we didn't embrace it.
Trudeau and his buffoons destroyed the military's morale, reduced its strength and fighting capabilities. As a priority we were on par with the post office.
Now the air force and navy have their blue uniforms and the army retained the green dress uniform plus varied combat uniforms.
All this turmoil and we were expected to fulfill our commitments of defending our homeland, aid to the civil powers, search and rescue, floods, fires, etc. Plus support for Norad (North American Aerospace Defence Command), NATO and peacekeeping operations.
Thanks to the Conservative government, Canada now has a proud and viable fighting force.
In my 21 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, never did I proudly embrace the word Royal.
I find it utterly deplorable, disgraceful, ludicrous, outrageous and despicable that our duly elected Prime Minister has to walk several steps behind the Governor General at official functions simply because he is the Queen's representative. Honour our past but move on to the future.
Peter Skobleniuk
Sundre
