The Canadian Armed Forces: Impact of Military History

Introduction

Exploring Canada’s historical accounts of the military contributes to comprehending the foundations of moral and ethical behavior. Research indicates a significant evolutionary scale concerning the international triggers and causes of war¹. In this paper, using military history, I will trace its influence on the formation of essential principles that guide me in the work of a logistics officer in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Namely, the research question is, “how does the study of military history impact me as an officer in the CAF?” Studying the historical foundations of moral principles and standards of behavior is crucial for me, as history demonstrates the significance and influence of leaders and soldiers of the past and their actions. Modern officers take the best from such an experience, analyze events, and avoid repeating past mistakes. I explore the issues of citizenship and sovereignty, competence, appropriateness, integrity, and professionalism and their impact on my professional activities.

Formation of The Core Principle Values of Professionalism and Their Influence

Sovereignty and Citizenship Principle Values

The issues of independence and belonging to a specific state are critical for the wars of the past and modern times and, in my opinion, lay essential foundations for understanding military affairs. To defend against enemies or capture other territories and resources, each state began to create its army to protect the land in wars. In these wars, the means and methods of armed struggle gradually changed. The military organization and the art of war were constantly evolving.

The army acquired a professional character, which was facilitated mainly by frequent and lengthy wars. In the Ancient World, wars were originally the nature of raids on neighbors to rob and capture prisoners². At the same time, the conduct of wars was reduced to sudden invasions of foreign lands. However, with the formation and strengthening of states, the growth of armies, the acquisition of combat experience, and the transition from raids to the conquest of neighboring countries, the simple conduct of war turned into an art that continued to develop gradually. A considerable influence on the art of war, which consisted of strategy and tactics, was exerted through armed struggle, especially in developing tactics.

After French and British colonization, Canada faced the major challenge of defining a national philosophy and territorial boundaries. That has been the cause of conflict throughout world history. For example, attempts to determine where Sweden and Russia’s borders passed in 1700-1702 led to the Great Northern War³. It also influenced the formation of new military strategies: Russia was able to learn how to mobilize its resources and fight through the Swedes⁴. Such professional military behavior deeply reflects a fundamental element of pre and post-colonialism.

Considering modern examples, I think about the two main communities in Canada: the English-speaking and the French-speaking communities, which were formed due to a long struggle for freedom. The Canadian conflict with Quebecers redefines the significance of appreciating sovereignty under the spectrum of professionalism. Canadian’s cultural background correlates with the unitary nationalistic spirit and territory based on unity among all communities and not the distinctive influence of civilization⁵. As a CAF officer, I appreciate the structural foundation of systems steering the derivation of social identity through citizenship.

Identity and citizenship intensify the connectivity among individuals within Canadian territory. The crucial variables in wars involve the uncertainty, unpredictability, and disorientation of the country’s spirit of unity and harmony⁶. The development of national identity is a gradual process that justifies the essence of committing to highly perform in the military for an effective and functional service delivery system. Over the decades, the Quebec community focused on implementing a policy platform that addresses the central issue of marginalization and acculturation effect. As a result, the Quebecers established policies for independence from the unitary nation. Thus, I consider one of the main incentives for creating military forces was the struggle for their rights and values, which today are a CAF priority.

I believe that understanding the differences in social identity requirements from Quebecers contributes to effective decision-making in Canadian military affairs. Above all, the separation of Quebec from the spirit of Canadian national identity threatens the symbolism of the country’s global perception as a single community. While Quebecers value independence, other Canadian citizens focus on the consequences of inequality in the distribution of rights and national resources. Thus, despite the CAF’s goal to uphold the shared values of Canadian society, it is crucial to reach cultural realms among communities to ensure respect and civic responsibility. For me, as a logistics officer, understanding the relationship among various national communities correlates with my duty of provision of supply transportation considering the legal and cultural background of the territories where I operate.

Factors that shape the Canadian government’s approach to decision-making include multilateralism and unitarianism, which are especially important in Canada as a multicultural society. During the development of society and, more importantly, democracy, there have been many wars since the beginning of history. It motivates people to fight for their rights at all times. Back in the ancient Greek/Roman period, the population’s support and the multicultural, multi-confessional justice system united people at all societal levels⁷. Today, these features have become the basis of the Canadian justice system, which forms the main guiding principles of the Canadian Forces Code of Practice. I see the connections between the formation and development of the Roman professional army, the reasons for its creation, and the modern military affairs of many countries, including Canada. As a CAF officer, I strive to understand the historical value of the Greek/Roman impact on contemporary warfare, the dynamic nature of the military forces, and the importance of resilience.

For me, reflecting on the evolution of conflicts fosters an appreciation of Canadian military policies. There is a significant relationship between Canada’s scuffle with Quebec with the ancient Greek and Persian societies. The cause of the conflicts involved the protection of citizenship identity and sovereignty. According to day one class notes, the Greeks participated in the Peloponnesian war to solve the border disputes⁸. On the one hand, the Greece population enjoyed profound rules on freedoms and rights to association and expression. On the other hand, the Persian dwellers experienced adept restrictions and aristocracy. Historically, tyranny significantly influenced the governance and safety of the people within the territories.

Competence and Confidence Principle Values

One of the critical responsibilities of a logistics officer in the CAF involves competently completing the assigned tasks in providing transportation, supplies, and equipment. This aspect boosts the performance level of operational flow, a phenomenon that can be observed historically. For instance, during the battles in ancient Greek society, the core strategy entailed the participation of all entities on the battlefield. The concept fostered the apt involvement of the leaders in the conflict, man to man⁹. Scholars articulate that industrialization played a profound role in revolutionizing tussle propositions¹⁰. Today, studying the strategies and tactics of the past, I am highly convinced of the seriousness of my duties and the importance of their competent fulfillment. Each soldier is part of the system, and working together, they are more efficient and confident in each other.

Appropriateness Principle Value

The primary objective of establishing the core protection of people involves safeguarding a country’s sovereignty through the figurehead. However, the structural foundation highlights the distinction between wealthy and low-income families and groups, which does not help protect the interests of citizens. For me, as a CAF officer, it is crucial to appreciate the constitutional requirements for enhancing equality and functional administrative structure. The construction of global international relationships encompassed promoting liberation and capitalism¹¹. I believe capitalism is one of the distinctive variants rendering the evolution of war techniques. The spectrum includes the privatization of enterprise procedures attributing the growth and development through the wealth accumulation of successful entrepreneurs. As a logistics officer, it is crucial to recognize diverse Canadian practices and values, such as liberalism, to enhance the principle value of appropriateness.

The distinctive utilization of the economic policies contributed to divergent effects on national growth and development. Privatizing business practices under the spectrum of capitalism intensified competence in the corporate world¹². The accumulation of the fortune sparked opportunities to venture into weaponry to boost security measures. I think it is an initiative that played a vital role in the advent of World War I. The intensified levels of ammunition production triggered the change in battle tactics while the developed nations focused on regaining power and dominance globally¹³. Therefore, the entities exploited high-tech machines to fire and forged counterattacks during the conflict.

World War I led to massive loss of lives and properties while regional administrations strived to attain control internationally. Canada’s participation in World War I began with abandoning all mobilization plans and creating field troops from scratch¹⁴. In the 1930s, the militia underwent a radical reorganization: three types of infantry regiments were created (rifle, machine gun, and tank), and many units were disbanded or merged. Thus, the experience of international wars directly impacted the formation of the modern structure of the CAF in which I operate.

Integrity Principle Value

History also demonstrates the importance of virtue and transparency in military affairs. After World War II, administrations of many countries encountered an apt challenge in balancing the local socioeconomic activities and the costly battle affair. The promptness of an executive team to establish core components boosting recovery demonstrates integrity toward safeguarding the interests of the citizens. Therefore, it is my vital mandate as a CAF officer to align decisions and actions with the appeals from the public on security and living quotient. Apart from the damage, the government invested in weaponry to win the combat, compromising economic growth and development. Researchers argue that capitalism leads to competition despite the adverse effect on the population¹⁵. It is one of the factors that contributed to the conflicts as a means of profitability at the expense of the soldiers’ lives. The primary responsibility of all stakeholders encompasses enhancing the advancement of the standards to justify the framework and the interdependent variables.

Historically, different variables triggered the evolution of war and distinctive techniques. In my opinion, one of the aspects involved industrialization and capitalism that prominently impacted the competence of economic models on the growth and development index. According to scholars, Canada’s posterity regards the functional intersection of policies governing the sociocultural, economic, and political systems¹⁶. Colonized by Britain, the nation adopted the westernized civilization antiques. However, researchers further establish that the country’s administration significantly exploited foreign relations to promote peace and harmony. Despite internal conflicts, such as the disputed Quebec independence, the international community commends Canada as a safer space and highly influential on global matters.

As a logistics officer, I explore the evolution of war and intensify the pool of knowledge concerning the importance of peaceful relations. Internal and external security is necessary due to the unprecedented dynamic outcomes during conflicts¹⁷. Therefore, it is the core responsibility of government officials to professionally indulge distinctive expert approaches concerning the protection of the citizens. One of the values lies in elevating international relationships to assert the safety of the Canadians living in the diaspora. Another aspect enshrines promoting coherence among nationalities within the region to ensure coordination in building the state’s sociocultural, economic, and political pillars.

Professionalism Principle Value

As a CAF member, I think there are distinctive values to comprehend based on historical accounts of Canada’s military related to the officers’ professionalism. For instance, it is vital to uphold the distinctive principles that define loyal citizenship in the Canadian territory. The critical analysis of the tussle between the Canadian and Quebec authorities on sovereignty indicates a prominent sense of citizenship¹⁸. On the one hand, the Canadian administration focuses on the coherence of sociocultural, economic, and political values shared across the region. On the other hand, the Quebec community appreciates the affiliation while aiming for independence. Establishing an agreement prevents an escalation to war, rendering a vital insight into the significance of constant adaptation. Ideally, the critical accountability essence as a logistics officer in the CAF entails upholding moral, ethical, and policy-oriented virtues while establishing relationships with personnel across the territory and internationally.

The consensual settlement between the Canadian and Quebec administrations on operational guidelines attributed to the distinctive trait of the CAF encompassing an independent governance system. Apart from the inbound struggles in Canada, the government is known to establish dynamic alliances and treaties. Examples of foreign relations include Arctic Council, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the European Union (EU)¹⁹. As a logistics officer, I affirm that it is vital to intensify domestic and international acquaintances to enhance security and proficient economic boost on import and export business.

A vital insight for me derived from the conceptual foundation involves the promotion of equality. Canada is one of the countries that encountered significant challenges correlating with racial segregation. Since colonialism, the natives have experienced discrimination due to their persistence to uphold their cultural heritage. At the same time, Canada did not always consider colonialism as a negative phenomenon but called it development²⁰. A CAF member’s mandate is to utilize impartiality in decision-making and engaging with the citizens. In this case, the historic background highlights how the Canadian military has evolved and is currently more appropriately operating under the value of equality.

One of the primary responsibilities of a logistics officer involves implementing transportation plans that enhance the qualified distribution of materials to the various CAF stations. In Greek society, the military’s efficiency relied on the coordination among members operating in different departments²¹. The phenomenon contributed to the emergence of the behavioral code among the personnel and units. In the CAF, the critical principle entails promoting social justice and equality. Any form of discrimination attracts extreme disciplinary measures. Ideally, the operational parameters on the divergent issue indicate a fundamental expectation of developing relationships with personnel from diverse backgrounds. The constant adaptation that the Canadian government invested in enshrines the advocacy for nationalism and unitarianism. Primarily, the administration delegates accountability to the CAF, navy, and air force, involving fairness and proficiency in the service delivery system locally and internationally to enhance peace and prosperity.

Conclusion

The evolution of war is a multifaceted phenomenon that optimally depends on the paradigm shift of sociocultural, economic, and political systems. I believe understanding Canada’s military history and the divergent local and international relations contributes to appreciating the core values promoting professional service. As a logistics officer, my responsibility involves promoting equality to ensure competence within the service delivery system. In general, not only local relations and military development influenced the formation of the Canadian Forces Professional Code. It results from centuries of evolution and social changes throughout the world community. Currently, my role as a logistics officer incorporates tasks and values that can be highlighted both in the history of warfare as well as more recent values that my position encompasses. Following the highlighted principles and values, I will be able to make the necessary contribution to the defense and development of the country.

Bibliography

Acharya, Amitav, and Barry Buzan. The Making of Global International Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019.

Daoust, Jean-François, and Ruth Dassonneville. “Beyond Nationalism and Regionalism: The Stability of Economic Voting in Canada.” Canadian Journal of Political Science/Revue Canadienne De Science Politique 51, no. 3 (2018): 553-571.

Donaghy, Greg, and David Webster. A Samaritan State Revisited: Historical Perspectives on Canadian Foreign Aid. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2019. Web.

Kasurak, Peter. Canada’s Mechanized Infantry: The Evolution of a Combat Arm, 1920-2012. Kelowna: UBC Press, 2020.

Lecturer. Introduction to Military History and Strategic Thought: Day One. (n.d)

Lecturer. Introduction to Military History and Strategic Thought: Day Twelve. (n.d)

Notes. Expansion and Empire. (n.d)

Notes. Romans. (n.d)

Notes. The Age of Marlborough and Frederick. (n.d.)

Footnotes

1. Amitav Acharya and Barry Buzan, The Making of Global International Relations (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019), 8-112.
2. Notes. Romans. (n.d.)
3. Notes. The Age of Marlborough and Frederick. (n.d.)
4. Notes. The Age of Marlborough and Frederick. (n.d.)
5. Jean-François Daoust and Ruth Dassonneville. “Beyond Nationalism and Regionalism: The Stability of Economic Voting in Canada.” Canadian Journal of Political Science/Revue Canadienne De Science Politique 51, no. 3 (2018): 553-571. Web.
6. Notes. The Age of Marlborough and Frederick. (n.d.)
7. Notes. Romans. (n.d.)
8. Lecturer. Introduction to military history and strategic thought: Day one. (n.d)
9. Lecturer. Introduction to military history and strategic thought: Day one. (n.d)
10. Acharya and Buzan, The Making of Global International Relations, 171.
11. Acharya and Buzan, The Making of Global International Relations, 274-278.
12. Acharya and Buzan, The Making of Global International Relations, 274-278.
13. Peter Kasurak, Canada’s Mechanized Infantry: The Evolution of a Combat Arm, 1920-2012 (Kelowna: UBC Press, 2020), 12.
14. Kasurak, Canada’s Mechanized Infantry: The Evolution of a Combat Arm, 1920-2012, 32
15. Acharya and Buzan, The Making of Global International Relations, 112-138.
16. Daoust and Dassonneville, “Beyond Nationalism,” 553-571.
17. Daoust and Dassonneville, “Beyond Nationalism,” 553-571.
18. Greg Donaghy and David Webster, A Samaritan State Revisited: Historical Perspectives on Canadian Foreign Aid (Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2019), 189.
19. Lecturer. Introduction to military history and strategic thought: Day twelve. (n.d)
20. Notes. Expansion and Empire. (n.d)
21. Notes. Romans. (n.d)