New Army Commander - General Leslie to take command

[dapaterson]

The CF Newsroom has it posted, so it's now public information:

Maj.-Gen. Andrew Leslie will be promoted lieutenant-general and appointed Chief of the Land Staff at Land Forces Command in Ottawa, replacing Lt.-Gen. Marc Caron who is retiring. (http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=1893)

Any thoughts / observations / prognostications on what this will mean for the Army?

 

[probum non poenitet]

General Leslie, like General Hillier isn't afraid to use words like 'kill' and 'enemy' and *gasp* 'win.'
Those I know who have worked with him say he has integrity.

Plus, it's been at least 3 weeks since his last promotion, so he's due. ;D

 

[geo]

Well, having served under Lt Gen Caron I can say that I'll miss him
He was a good unit, Bde & area commander and he did a bang up good job covering for Gen Hillier while he was out in Kabul.

Chimo!

 

[Patrolman]

Any word on where Caron is heading? Sorry. I overlooked the last bit. Perhaps the article on another thread about Afghanistan service putting you one step ahead is true. Leslie served with ISAF as well. In what capacity though I forget.

 

[Teddy Ruxpin]

LGen Caron is retiring.

Then MGen Leslie was DComd ISAF.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

And your thoughts on Gen Leslie taking over Teddy...

 

[Kat Stevens]

Hope your rucks are packed tight, and you've got good boots, boys, you're gonna need 'em! >

 

[Teddy Ruxpin]

Hmmm...  I've worked for him and with him...  Incredibly sharp, extremely well educated, lots of experience, very focussed on what he wants.  He's a "man with a plan" - always. I was heavily involved when he made Prairie Ram, our last "real" live fire brigade exercise, work - against all odds and against very significant institutional opposition.... It's all good as far as I'm concerned...

Besides that:  more PT for everyone! 

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

So Leslie and Hiller will get along swimmingly?

 

[HItorMiss]

Intresting you have those things to say Teddy,

I was both unlucky or lucky enough to have had lunch with Gen Leslie ( ISAF Roto 0 ISAF HQ, ) I was there for a "reason" and was sitting to grab a quick bite when I hear "Hey there Cpl *****, mind if I have a seat?" I look up and I see large bars... He sat down and and began a very frank and open discussion about being a soldier not about why I was there (he knew that already) but about the CF and what I as a young troop thought and as to how I felt this operational tour was going from a NCM level. I was impressed that he actually wanted to hear the bad side of things and the typical answers of "Oh just fine sir, the sky is blue and were all good to go" were not at all what he wanted and he let me know right up front.

I am sure his aides choked on a few bites of food with some of my replies but he just smiled and told me to continue, then looked at his staff and said something along the lines of  "See you want the truth, you want to know what's going on in the field skip the RSM's and CO's you get a young Cpl ambush him and then make him so uncomfortable he says the truth just to make you go away". I Paraphrase of course but that was the gist.

I haven't seen him other then parades since but I have heard that he has gotten a bit high on highself (that is an 2ND party observation) I really hope that even if that is true, that he kept his down to earth theory about talking to his troops.

 

[pbi]

So Leslie and Hiller will get along swimmingly?

CFL: He is definitely one of the CDS' cohort of newer, younger leaders who understands where the Chief is trying to go. Gen Caron, unfortunately, was not necessarily from that camp.

Cheers

 

[Gunner]

CFL: He is definitely one of the CDS' cohort of newer, younger leaders who understands where the Chief is trying to go. Gen Caron, unfortunately, was not necessarily from that camp.

Cheers

PBI, I don't necessarily disagree with your comment but I don't believe LGen Caron was an obstructionist.  He was concerned on the impact (not necessarily the status quo) of CF transfromation on the army.  This remains a valid concern as we have discussed in another thread.

Having said that, LGen Leslie will be very good for the army as his focus is towards the soldier and I have no doubt he will bring in some great initiatives. 

Cheers,

 

[pbi]

Careful. I didn't say he was an obstructionist, nor did I pass any judgement on his abilities as CLS. I just said that he wasn't really part of "the Young Turks" that are going to be making up much of our CF leadership. Like all three ECS's, he stood up for his service. Whether his arguments were right, wrong, or indifferent, I have no idea.

Cheers

 

[S McKee]

I had occasion to be present during Gen Leslie's interview with War Crimes Investigators in the 90's, he was a very personable, well spoken and articulate man, you could tell that this was an individual who was going places. Very sharp.  I remember him most from his testimony at that SCONDVA hearings in Edmonton, I think he was a Lt Col at the time. Anyway he stood up in front of a committee of MPs and let loose with both barrels about the way the govt was treating the troops.  He got a standing ovation.

 

[Gunner]

I remember him most from his testimony at that SCONDVA hearings in Edmonton, I think he was a Lt Col at the time. Anyway he stood up in front of a committee of MPs and let loose with both barrels about the way the govt was treating the troops.  He got a standing ovation.

He was Comd 1 CMBG at the time.

Careful. I didn't say he was an obstructionist, nor did I pass any judgement on his abilities as CLS. I just said that he wasn't really part of "the Young Turks" that are going to be making up much of our CF leadership.

Ack.  Caron is 52 in June this year ... Leslie is 49 in December.  I have heard many opinions, many from those I respect, who are very complimentary to LGen Caron and I think it would be wrong to assume something is amiss when he retires early. 

Cheers.

 

[Daidalous]

I did meet Gen Leslie once in Mirage,  he was tunring in his weapon, during a visit, I was expecting to receive a dirty weapon into our vault from a previous experience with a different General earlier in the tour(No Names).  He had one of the cleanest weapons I had ever seen.  He asked me what my job was and how I did it, and what I thought would make it run better. "When I told him that if every weapon came back like his, My job would go alot more smoothly"  He smile, and then a Mcpl handed me a filthy 9mm.

Made my week

 

[pronto]

five words: "class act all the way". I knew him as a 2nd Lt. in 30 Field, and did a few months over the summer time period with him. Have followed his career with great amusement over the years. I am sure he hasn't followed mine ;D

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

Daidalous you've got something brown on your nose.

 

[geo]

General Caron IS a good CDS CLS and leaves the army in a much better condition than when he found it.

Don't know Gen Leslie from a hole in the wall but expect that he is as competent and capable as Gen Caron is/was.

Chimo!

(Edited to CLS)

 

[Patrolman]

General Caron IS a good CDS and leaves the army in a much better condition than when he found it.

Do you mean Army Commander.