General (retired) Rick Hillier, the former CDS for the Canadian military had his memoirs released last week in a book entitled, "A Soldier First".

True to its title and to the standard he set while as the top military man for Canada, he tells it as he sees it, and thankfully he names names, doesn't pull any punches, and otherwise regails the reader about his service career, and very importantly the challenges he had with bureaucracy in Canadian government and elsewhere once he reached more senior ranks.

There are no 'sacred cows' in this book, and he goes after everything from jealous bureaucrats in other ministries, to one politician on the federal scene who he calls "dumb as dirt", to railing at how impotent NATO has become.

I purchased the book on Saturday and just about completed reading the 498 pages. Having served with the Cdn. military in my youth I can only pray that future CDS have the skill and the intestinal fortitude that General Rick Hillier showed as CDS. There was a lot said in this book that has needed to be said for a very long time.

I highly recommend this book to those who wish to better understand the Canadian military situation, and who have an interest of military affairs on the international scene.

Paul

One of the many themes that permeats the book is the need for the military to understand they must communicate with the public and let them know the things the military does for Canadians on a daily basis, and in doing so make it politically important for politicians to listen to the needs of the military.  As basic as that may sound, it is a lesson lost on far too many of General Hillier's predecessors.

Paul

MPC ,

Would have been better if the Gen. said his say while still active .

jm

You are right that we need many more officers that act like Hillier.  He cared about his troops and their families and that came through loud and clear.  Having suffered from far too many years where the CDS were muted, even to the point of being dishonest with the public IMHO, Rick Hillier's unwillingness to allow politicals to mislead the public was so refreshing, and earned him enemies in many political corners.   This however, gained him wide respect with those in the military community and those of us who previously served.

Paul