Canadian Army

Canadian Army
Armée canadienne
Badge of the Canadian Army
Founded	19 May 1855; 170 years ago (1855-05-19)[1] [note 1][5]
Country	Canada[note 2]
Type	Army
Role	Land warfare
Size	22,500 active personnel 21,500 reserve personnel 5,300 Canadian Rangers[6]
Part of	Canadian Armed Forces
Headquarters	NDHQ Carling, Ottawa, Ontario
Motto(s)	Vigilamus pro te (Latin for 'We stand on guard for thee')[7]
Colour	Red[8]
March	"The Great Little Army"
Mascot(s)	Juno the Bear[9]
Engagements	Fenian raids (1866–1870) Red River Rebellion (1870) North-West Rebellion (1885) Second Boer War (1899–1902) First World War (1914–1918) Second World War (1939–1945) Korean War (1950–1953) Medak Pocket (1993) War in Afghanistan (2001–2014)
Website	www.canada.ca/en/army.html
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief	Charles III, King of Canada
Commander of the Canadian Army	Lieutenant-General Michael Wright
Deputy Commander of the Canadian Army	Major-General Peter Scott
Canadian Army Sergeant Major	Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Robin
Insignia
Flag

The Canadian Army (French: Armée canadienne) is the branch of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) responsible for conventional land operations. As of 2024, it includes about 22,500 Regular Force personnel, 21,500 reservists, and 5,300 Canadian Rangers. Headquartered at NDHQ Carling in Ottawa, it maintains bases and facilities across Canada. The Army is led by the Commander of the Canadian Army, under the authority of the Chief of the Defence Staff.

The Army traces its roots to the colonial-era Canadian militia, though nearly all of its existing units were established after the Militia Act of 1855, which created the Active Militia in the Province of Canada. These forces became Canada's sole military force shortly after Confederation, participating in several conflicts in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The militia was renamed the Canadian Army in 1940 during the Second World War and reorganized as Force Mobile Command in 1965, shortly before the unification of Canada's military branches into the singular CAF in 1968. Force Mobile Command continued as the CAF's land component, becoming Land Force Command in 1992, before readopting the historic Canadian Army name in 2011.

The Army is organized into five formations, which includes four geographically based divisions comprising Regular and Reserve Force elements, and the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre for training and doctrine development. The four divisions includes several brigade groups made up of units from the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, and Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. The Army operates a variety of equipment sourced domestically and from other countries.

The Canadian Army traces its origins to colonial militias established in New France and British North America. These community-based militias supported regular French and British military actions on the continent.^[10] Prior to Canadian Confederation in 1867, the Militia Acts of the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick required males aged 16 to between 50 and 60 to serve in local Sedentary Militias, unorganized, mostly untrained forces mustered only infrequently each year.^[11]

Some of the Canadian Army's oldest units trace their lineage to these sedentary militia units, like the predecessor of the Governor General's Horse Guards, the Governor General's Body Guard.^[12] Several modern Army units also perpetuate the lineage of Canadian units raised during the War of 1812.^[13] However, the nearly all modern Army units were formed after the transformation of Canada's military system through the Militia Acts of 1846 and 1855.^[12]

Plans for a trained volunteer "active militia" in the Province of Canada began with the Militia Act of 1846, although actual active militia units were not formed until after a more practical framework was established through the Militia Act of 1855.^[14] The Militia Act of 1868 formally integrated the colonial Canadian Militia, both the Sedentary and Active components, into the new Canadian Confederation. However, the Sedentary Militia fell into disuse by 1873, leaving the Active Militia as Canada's only functional military force.^[15]

In 1871, the Active Militia formed its first full-time volunteer units, which later became the nucleus of Permanent Force. By the 1880s, Permanent Force had expanded beyond artillery to include infantry and cavalry corps.^[16] Active Militia officers first served overseas during the 1884–85 Nile Expedition,^[17] while militia units also took part in conflicts including the Fenian raids, North-West Resistance and the Second Boer War.^[18]

However, by the end of the 19th century, the militia remained limited in capability. Major-General Edward Hutton, former General Officer Commanding the Militia of Canada, described the Militia as "a collection of military units without cohesion, without staff, and without those military departments by which an army is moved, fed, or ministered to in sickness."^[19]

Reforms under Frederick Borden, minister of militia and defence from 1896 to 1911, revitalized the force through the creation of engineering, medical, signalling, and support corps in the early 1900s.^[19] In 1904, the position of General Officer Commanding, traditionally held by a British Army officer, was replaced by the Canadian-appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Militia.^[20] Policies adopted by Canada at the 1907 Imperial Conference and the 1909 Defence Conference led the Canadian Militia to maintain broad uniformity with the British Army in organization, equipment, and training doctrine.^[21]

The Canadian Militia provided only a small number of trained soldiers at the outbreak of the First World War, but it offered the foundation on which a national army could be built.^[21] Although there were existing plans to mobilize the militia, they were considered too slow to meet the urgent demands of the war, and were set aside in favour of creating a new force, the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).^[18] Most CEF units were created specifically for the war and only later recognized as part of the militia, though some pre-war regiments, such as the Royal Canadian Regiment, were part of CEF.^[22]

The militia's pre-war limited development was evident in the appointment of a British lieutenant-general to command the 1st Canadian Division until 1917, when command of the Canadian Corps passed to Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie, a former officer of Canada's Non-Permanent Active Militia (NPAM).^[22] Canadian units first entered the front lines in February 1915,^[23] and by 1918, the Canadian Corps was regarded as "the most powerful self-contained striking force on any battlefront," in part because it retained four-battalion infantry brigades while British Army brigades were reduced to three battalions.^[24] More than 620,000 people served in the CEF, with 60,000 Canadians died during the war.^[10]

Following the war, steps were taken within the Canadian Militia to preserve the legacy and battle honours of Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) units. Two CEF units were incorporated into the Permanent Force, while others had their honours perpetuated through NPAM regiments.^[25] In 1923, the civilian portfolio responsible for militia affairs was consolidated with the other service portfolios under a single Minister of National Defence.^[26] During the 1930s, the militia began a program of rearmament and reorganization, although its budget reflected its position as the lowest priority compared with the navy and the air force.^[27]

The Government of Canada ordered a partial mobilization of the militia on 25 August, followed by full mobilization after the Canadian declaration of war on Germany on 10 September. Unlike the First World War, the mobilized units were drawn largely from existing militia battalions rather than newly created formations.^[28] In November 1940, the Canadian Militia was formally retitled as the Canadian Army, with the Permanent Active Militia becoming Canadian Army (Active) and NPAM becoming Canadian Army (Reserve).^[4]

Canadian Army units saw little action in the early stages of the war. One brigade briefly took the field during the fall of France in 1940, after which Canadian Army units were largely occupied with the defence of the UK against a possible German invasion.^[29] The Canadian Army later played major roles in the Allied invasion of Sicily and Italy, the Battle of Normandy, and the North West Europe campaign, remaining in combat until 5 May 1945 with the German surrender at Lüneburg Heath.^[30] During the conflict, the Canadian Army established the First Canadian Army, which grew to become the largest Canadian field army ever assembled, comprising more than 450,000 personnel under the command of General Henry Crerar.^[18] Like in the First World War, the Canadian Army served under British higher command in operations.^[31] During the war, 730,000 people served in the Canadian Army,^[18] 24,500 of whom died.^[10]

Although the Canadian Army demobilized after the Second World War, it did not reduce its numbers to pre-war levels like it did following the First World War. Its participation in NATO in 1949 also led the Canadian Army to its largest peacetime size.^[32] As part of its commitments to NATO, the Canadian Army had detachments in Europe.^[10]

During this period, Canada also contributed to early UN peacekeeping operations, like the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in 1948, the United Nations Emergency Force during the 1956 Suez Crisis and the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus in 1964.^[10][18] The Canadian Army also provided several units, later consolidated into the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade, to serve under the 1st Commonwealth Division of the United Nations Command during the Korean War.^[18]

The Canadian Army was reduced in size the 1960s due to budgetary and manpower constraints.^[12] By the mid-1960s, the Canadian government began a process of unifying the country's separate armed service branches into a single force. As a part of the anticipated unification, the Army was reorganized into Force Mobile Command in 1965, before it was unified with the other two service branches, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force, to form the single-service Canadian Armed Forces.^[18][12] This resulted in some units being reduced to nil strength and transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle. However, other new units were also created to increase French Canadian representation.^[12]

The rationale for unification was to improve efficiency and reduce cost. However, unification efforts faced resistance from army regiments, who viewed them as an attempt to erase their history, traditions, and identities. Regimental identities and ethos were gradually restored within Mobile Command during the 1970s and 1980s.^[12] During the later Cold War years, the CAF reduced in size and scaled back troop deployments in Europe, but continued to uphold peacekeeping commitments, participating in every UN peacekeeping mission until 1989.^[18]

The end of the Cold War prompted the CAF to end its European military deployments, although it did play a limited role in the 1991 Gulf War and took part in several peacekeeping missions.^[18] In 1992, Force Mobile Command was redesignated as Land Force Command as part of broader post–Cold War restructuring.^[33] Many of the Army's post-Cold War peacekeeping missions, particularly in Yugoslavia and Rwanda, became volatile, with peacekeepers facing aggression and lacking adequate support. The misconduct of the Canadian Airborne Regiment during operations in Somalia also led to intense public scrutiny and the regiment’s eventual disbandment.^[18]

The army hit its lowest enlistment numbers in decades in 2001, before it rebounded as a result of the War in Afghanistan.^[18] The 12-year Afghan mission was the longest military campaign undertaken by the CAF.^[34] In 2011, Land Forces Command was renamed to the Canadian Army, restoring the pre-unification name for Canada's military land forces.^[35]

The Canadian Army is the land component of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the CAF's largest element. Command is held by the commander of the Canadian Army, a lieutenant-general, with a major-general serving as their deputy.^[36][37] The commander of the Canadian Army reports to the chief of the Defence Staff, who, in turn, reports to the minister of National Defence, the head of the Department of National Defence.^[36]

The Army is made up of four geographically based divisions and a training formation, the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre (CADTC). These four divisions and CADTC report to Canadian Army Headquarters, which is organized into three main sections: Operations, Strategy, and Reserve, each led by a brigadier-general. CADTC is responsible for the development of doctrine, manages the Army's intellectual growth, and oversees all individual and collective training across its establishments and divisions.^[37] Advanced and future war doctrine is also developed at the Canadian Army Land Warfare Centre (CALWC), which also publishes the peer-reviewed Canadian Army Journal.^[38][39]

Army personnel and units are organized into Regular Force and the Canadian Army Reserve.^[40] The Regular Force is made up of officers and non-commissioned members enrolled for continuing, full-time military service.^[41]

The Army Reserve, also known as the militia, is made up of officers and non-commissioned members enrolled for service other than continuing, full-time military service,^[41] including subcomponents like the Canadian Rangers,^[40] and provides a basis for national mobilization.^[42] Army Reserve personnel are spread throughout ten Canadian Brigade Groups that are primarily made up of reservists, although each unit includes small cadre of Regular Force personnel for administrative and training support.^[37]

Reservists usually serve part-time but may volunteer for full-time duty, helping augment Regular Forces' domestic and overseas deployments.^[42][43] In addition to supporting the Regular Force, Reserve Force brigade groups maintain readiness to respond to natural disasters and other domestic emergencies within their regions.^[42]

The Army's four divisions are the 2nd Canadian Division, the 3rd Canadian Division, the 4th Canadian Division, and the 5th Canadian Division. The 1st Canadian Division was formerly a joint operations command within the Army, although it was transferred to the Canadian Joint Operations Command in 2015.^[37][40]

Three of the four divisions have a combat mechanized brigade group, which is commanded by a colonel and manned by full-time, Regular Force personnel. Each mechanized brigade group includes two mechanized and one light infantry battalion, a support battalion, and regiments and units from the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, Canadian Military Engineers, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, Communications and Electronics Branch. Most divisions also have a company from Intelligence Branch and Canadian Ranger patrols.^[37]

In addition to combat mechanized brigade groups, each division includes a combat service support brigade, companies from the Canadian Intelligence Corps, Canadian Ranger patrol groups, and several Reserve Force brigade groups, known as Canadian Army Reserve brigade groups. The composition of Army Reserve brigade groups is not standardized due to the reserve's historical roots in locally raised militia, although they typically field regiments of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, as well as armoured reconnaissance and artillery regiments. Collectively, these brigade groups include 17 armoured regiments and one independent armoured squadron, 16 artillery regiments and three independent artillery batteries, and 51 infantry battalions.^[37]

Canadian Forces Military Police regiments are generally situated with a division and placed under its operational control, although they are not an formally a component of the division.^[37]

The 2nd Canadian Division is a formation that includes all Regular and Reserve units within Quebec. There are four main formations that make up the division:^[44]

• 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (5 CMBG)
• 34 Canadian Brigade Group (34 CBG)
• 35 Canadian Brigade Group (35 CBG)
• 2nd Canadian Division Support Group

5 CMBG has close to 4,800 Regular and Reserve forces and is equipped with approximately 1,200 vehicles.^[45] The two other brigade groups are Army Reserve formations. 34 Canadian Brigade Group comprises 2,500 reservists across 15 regiments, nine of which are based on the island of Montreal. 35 Canadian Brigade Group includes 2,200 reservists distributed among 12 units throughout eastern Quebec.^[46][47]

Additionally, the following units report directly to the division's headquarters at 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier, Detachment Montreal:

• 2nd Canadian Division Training Center
• 4 Intelligence Company
• 5 Military Police Regiment
• 2 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group

Training for the division takes place at Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School and the 2nd Canadian Division Training Centre.^[44]

The 3rd Canadian Division is a formation that includes all Regular and Reserve units within western Canada and northwestern Ontario, except for CFB Wainwright, which is administered by the Canadian Army Training and Doctrine Centre. As of 2025, there are approximately 5,800 Regular Force soldiers and 5,300 Reserve Force soldiers, and 3,000 Canadian Rangers under the division. Additionally, the division employs approximately 1,000 civilians. The five major formations that make up the division are:^[48]

• 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
• 38 Canadian Brigade Group (38 CBG)
• 39 Canadian Brigade Group (39 CBG)
• 41 Canadian Brigade Group (41 CBG)
• 3rd Canadian Division Support Group

38 CBG is made up of units based throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and northwestern Ontario, 39 CBG is made up of units based in British Columbia, and 41 CBG is made up of units based in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.^[49][50][51]

Additionally, the following units reports directly to the division's headquarters at CFB Edmonton:^[48]

• 6 Intelligence Company
• 1 Military Police Regiment
• 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre
• 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group
• 4 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group

The 4th Canadian Division is a formation that includes all Regular and Reserve units within Ontario, excluding parts of northwestern Ontario, whose units form a part of 3rd Canadian Division. The division's units are spread across 46 Ontario communities, and comprises 5,880 Regular Force members, 5,980 Reserve Force members, and 620 Canadian Rangers as of 2025. Additionally the division employs 1,140 civilians. The largest concentrations of the division includes Garrison Petawawa and CFB Kingston.^[52] The division has five major formations:^[53]

• 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
• 31 Canadian Brigade Group (31 CBG)
• 32 Canadian Brigade Group (32 CBG)
• 33 Canadian Brigade Group (33 CBG)
• 4th Canadian Division Support Group

31 CBG Army Reserve Formation is headquartered in London and includes nearly 2,500 members across 12 units spread throughout southwestern Ontario and parts of central Ontario.^[54] 32 CBG is made up of 3,000 soldiers in 14 units based in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.^[55] 33 CBG is a military formation that includes 16 Army Reserve units spread across eastern and northeastern Ontario.^[56]

In addition to its brigade and support groups, several other formations and units report directly to the division headquarters at Denison Armoury in Toronto:^[53]

• 4th Canadian Division Training Centre
• 2 Military Police Regiment
• Ceremonial Guard
• 2 Intelligence Company
• 3 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group

The Ceremonial Guard is administratively a subunit of the Governor General's Foot Guards (GGFG), but is made up of volunteers from the Regular and Reserve Force across all elements of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Ceremonial Guard are uniformed after the GGFG and the Canadian Grenadier Guards, the two regiments traditionally responsible for such duties in Ottawa.^[57]

The 5th Canadian Division is responsible for Canadian Army units and activities in Atlantic Canada. It comprises 2 Regular Force units, 20 Reserve Force units, 4 mixed-force units, and a Canadian Ranger patrol group. The division operates five bases and garrisons in the region. As of 2025, it includes 2,151 Regular Force members, 2,791 Reserve Force members, 1,032 Canadian Rangers, and 673 civilian personnel. Although based in Atlantic Canada, its personnel also operate from Kingston, Ontario.^[58]

The division includes two brigade groups: 36 Canadian Brigade Group, headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and 37 Canadian Brigade Group, headquartered in Moncton, New Brunswick. In addition to the two brigade groups, there are eight units that report directly to division headquarters in Halifax:^[59]

• 21 Electronic Warfare Regiment
• 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown
• 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support), RCA
• 4 Engineer Support Regiment
• 5th Canadian Division Training Centre
• 3 Intelligence Company
• 5 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group
• Influence Activities

As of 2024, the Canadian Army included 22,500 full-time soldiers in the Regular Force. In the same year the Reserve Force had 21,500 part-time soldiers, including 5,300 Canadian Rangers. In addition to commissioned and non-commissioned members, the Army employs 3,500 civilian personnel to support its operations.^[6]

Military ranks in the Canadian Army denote an individual's position within the Army's hierarchy. Advancement through the ranks corresponds to increased responsibility and authority. The rank structure is used to facilitate the transmission of orders during operations, ensure clarity of command, and maintain discipline and order.^[60]

In their capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of Canada, the governor general of Canada is entitled to wear a distinctive general officer uniform from any of the Canadian Armed Forces commands, including the Canadian Army. This uniform features a unique general sleeve braid embellished with the governor general's badge. The badge is also embroidered on the uniform’s shoulder straps.^[61]

Governor General[62]
Board	Sleeve

Army officers hold positions of command and responsibility. Their roles typically include overseeing personnel, planning, and directing operations, making decisions within their scope of authority, and providing advice to achieve operational objectives.^[63]

The rank insignia for Army general officers, like those of other Canadian Armed Forces general and flag officers, features maple leaves, the number of which corresponds to the officer's rank.^[64][65] The rank insignia for senior officers generally consists of a combination of pips and St. Edward's Crown, although the insignia for majors only includes the crown. The insignia for junior and subordinate officers/officer cadets consists solely of pips, with the number corresponding to the officer's rank.^[65][66]

NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1
Canadian Army[67][68] v t e
			General		Lieutenant-general		Major-general		Brigadier-general		Colonel		Lieutenant-colonel		Major		Captain		Lieutenant			Second lieutenant
			Général(e)		Lieutenant(e)-général(e)		Major(e)-général(e)		Brigadier(ère)-général(e)		Colonel(le)		Lieutenant(e)-colonel(le)		Major(e)		Capitaine		Lieutenant(e)			Sous-lieutenant(e)

Non-commissioned members in the Army perform operational and support duties and contribute to maintaining safety, discipline, and the welfare of their units.^[63]

Although private is the lowest rank specified in the National Defence Act, some Army units use alternative titles for the rank of private for regimental or historical reasons.^[69] Several infantry units use alternate titles for the rank of private, including guardsman in regiments of foot guards, fusilier in fusilier units, and rifleman or voltigeur in rifle regiments. The lowest rank is trooper in the armoured corps, gunner for artillery units, signaller for the signals corps, and ranger for the Canadian Rangers. The Canadian Military Engineers use sapper as their lowest rank, while the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers uses craftsman. In military bands, the lowest rank is musician, piper, or drummer, depending on the band type and instrument.^[69][70]

NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Canadian Army[67][68] v t e																																			No insignia
	Chief warrant officer						Master warrant officer		Warrant officer		Sergeant												Master corporal				Corporal		Private (trained)						Private (basic)
	Adjudant(e)-chef						Adjudant(e)-maître		Adjudant(e)		Sergent(e)												Caporal(e)-chef				Caporal(e)		Soldat(e) (formé(e))						Soldat(e) (confirmé(e))

In addition to rank insignias, non-commissioned members appointed as the Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer, Command Chief Warrant Officer, or Senior Appointment Chief Warrant Officer wear distinct insignias to denote the senior appointment. Leaders of military bands, such as drum, pipe, and trumpet/bugle majors, also wear distinctive insignia denoting their appointments.^[65]

Newly enrolled non-commissioned members of the Army undergo foundational training through Basic Military Qualification (BMQ), while newly enrolled officers go through Basic Military Officer Qualification (BMOQ). Both BMQ and BMOQ take place at Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School.^[71][72]

The Canadian Army commissions officers through multiple entry plans, each designed for candidates with different educational backgrounds and levels of military experience, to develop them to the required standard of proficiency expected of an officer. This typically includes providing pathways to complete an academic degree. However, individuals who already possess an academic degree or technology diploma may qualify for the Direct Entry Officer Plan, which serves as a direct pathway to commissioning.^[73]

Several entry plans offer paid or subsidized education in exchange for military service. The Regular Officer Training Plan involves earning an academic degree at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), the Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean), or a civilian Canadian university.^[74] Due to shortages in specific officer occupations, the Continuing Education Officer Training Plan (CEOTP) was created for select candidates who are otherwise qualified for service as officers but lack an academic degree, allowing them to enter the Army and complete their degree while serving.^[75]

Several entry plans facilitate the transition of serving non-commissioned members to officers. The University Training Plan for Non-Commissioned Members allows serving members to earn a degree at RMC, RMC Saint-Jean, or a civilian Canadian university in preparation to become officers.^[76] The Commissioning from the Ranks Plan commissions experienced candidates who demonstrate officer potential, supplementing other commissioning routes.^[77] The Special Requirements Commissioning Plan leverages the skills of senior non-commissioned members, such as Chief Warrant Officers, and provides them a route to commissioning.^[78]

The Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre is the Army's formation tasked with training and developing military doctrine and oversees several training organizations and establishments, like the Peace Support Training Centre and the Canadian Army Command and Staff College.^[79] The Army also operates several schools through the Combat Training Centre (CTC), including Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre and the Tactics School.^[80]

Several unified Canadian Armed Forces schools are also accessible to Army personnel, including the Canadian Forces College and the CTC's Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering.^[81][82][83] The latter institution was formerly an army run institution until 1968, when its mandate was expanded to meet the needs of the Navy and Air Force.^[83]

Uniforms worn by the Canadian Army are regulated by the Dress Instructions for the Canadian Forces. Misuse of the likeness of Canadian Army uniforms is an offence under Article 419 of the Criminal Code of Canada and is punishable by summary conviction.^[84]

Uniforms of the Canadian Armed Forces, including the Army, are categorized into five types, including No. 1 Dress (ceremonial dress), No. 2 Dress (mess dress), No. 3 Dress (service dress), No. 4 Dress (occupational dress), and No. 5 Dress (operational dress).^[84] Each category contains several orders that specify variations for particular occasions.^[85]

No. 3 Dress is the Canadian Army's service dress uniform worn for daily duties and travel.^[85] It includes a beret, necktie, service jacket, and trousers in Army environmental colours, paired with black leather shoes. Variations include No. 3A, a long-sleeved version, and No. 3B, a short-sleeved version.^[86]

No. 4 Operational Dress consists of uniforms worn during operations, operational training, or as directed.^[85] These include field combat clothing featuring CADPAT digital camouflage, as well as aviation and naval combat dress. Operational uniforms are used across the entire Canadian Armed Forces and are not specific to any single environmental command.^[87]

No. 1 Dress includes uniforms for formal occasions, and whose appearance reflect the heritage of the unit.^[85][88] The Army's service dress uniforms may also be used for formal occasions, with No. 1 Dress outlining its use when worn with medals and accoutrements, and No. 1A Dress outlining its use when worn with medals only.^[88]

The Army's universal full dress uniform, No. 1B Dress, is the Army's most formal attire and includes a white Wolseley helmet, a red coat, and royal blue trousers. Most units are authorized some minor regimental differences to reflect the unit's history, although some units are authorized significant differences from the universal full dress. This includes changes to the headdress for artillery, hussar, horse guards, rifle, and kilted Irish and Canadian-Scottish regiments, as well as changes to the colour of the tunic or doublet. Unlike other uniforms in the CAF, which are issued, full dress uniforms are generally purchased by the service member, except for officer cadets at Canadian military colleges and volunteers to the Ceremonial Guard, for whom they are provided.^[88]

No. 2 Dress is a uniform worn for military dinners and other formal evening events. The standard pattern includes a red mess jacket, blue waistcoat, and either trousers or a kilt. Similar to full dress uniforms, several Army units have authorized regimental variations to their mess dress.^[89]

The Canadian Army operates a variety of vehicles including the Leopard 2 series main battle tank, which includes variants such as the Leopard 2A4, 2A4M, 2A6M. These tanks are primarily deployed to provide direct fire support.^[90] They are supported by LAV 6 infantry fighting vehicles, which offer enhanced fire support, protection, and mobility for infantry.^[91] Armoured reconnaissance and command and control vehicles in use include the Coyote armoured vehicle and the Textron tactical armoured patrol vehicle.^[92][93]

Other vehicles the Canadian Army uses for personnel transport and logistics includes the amphibious Bandvagn 206 and the G Wagon - Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled. Armoured support vehicles in use include the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle and the Leopard 2ARV and 2AEV variants, the latter two used for armoured recovery and engineering purposes.^[90][94] Other support vehicles include the Light Support Vehicle Wheeled, Medium Support Vehicle System, and the Heavy Logistics Vehicle Wheeled.^[94]

The army also operates several specialized armored vehicles for demining and route clearance, including the Buffalo, and Husky VMMD. For transport, route opening personnel utilize the Cougar mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle.^[94]

The Canadian Army's standard issue weapon is the 5.56 mm Colt Canada C7 and C8 rifles, while the C22 pistol is the standard sidearm. The C7A2 serves as the standard personal assault rifle, while the C8A3 carbine is used when space constraints limit the use of the C7A2.^[95][96]

The .50 calibre C15A2 is the designated long-range sniper weapon of the Canadian Army, while the Colt Canada C20 DMR is the designated marksman rifle.^[95] Weapons used to provide support and sustained fire include the C9A2 light machine gun, C6A1 general-purpose machine gun, and the M2HB heavy machine gun.^[95][97][98] Other weapons used by Canadian soldiers include the 81mm mortar for indirect fire and the M72 LAW anti-tank weapon.^[95]

The Canadian Army has two artillery systems, the C3 105mm howitzer and the M777 155mm howitzer.^[95] The former provides close fire support while the latter system can provide fire support as far as 40 kilometres (25 mi).^[99][100] The M777 howitzer is also able to be combined with the M982 Excalibur guided artillery shell, providing accurate fire up to 30 kilometres (19 mi) away.^[100]

There are 10 Canadian Forces Bases that the Canadian Army uses to house brigade groups and regiments, as well as to provide training and support facilities for its personnel.^[101] This includes CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick, CFB Valcartier in Quebec, CFB Petawawa, CFB Kingston and CFB Toronto in Ontario, CFB Shilo in Manitoba, and CFB Edmonton and CFB Suffield in Alberta.^[101][102] CFB Suffield is the largest Canadian Army base, hosting the Army's largest military training area, as well as the British Army Training Unit Suffield.^[103] Alongside these 10 Canadian Forces Bases, the Canadian Army also operates several detachments and support bases, like 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Detachment Wainwright.^[101]

Canadian Army Headquarters, the central administrative and command location for the Canadian Army, is located at NDHQ Carling in Ottawa.^[104] The headquarters for the 2nd Canadian Division is located at 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier, Detachment Montreal,^[105] while the 3rd Canadian Division is headquartered at CFB Edmonton.^[106] The 4th Canadian Division operates from Denison Armoury at CFB Toronto, and the 5th Canadian Division is headquartered at CFB Halifax,^[107][104] which primarily serves as a Royal Canadian Navy installation.^[108]

In addition to Canadian Forces bases, the Canadian Army Reserve maintains armouries across Canada. Approximately 97 per cent of Canadians live within 45 minutes of a Canadian Army Reserve armoury.^[109]

The Canadian Army and its brigades, support groups, and regiments, all have distinct badges that serve as visual identifiersfor these commands and units.^[110] Badges of the Canadian Army are approved by the minister of National Defence, with any badges containing a Royal device, like a Crown, also requiring the authorization of the monarch or Governor-in-Council.^[111]

The Army, and its regiments and service battalions also have flags that serve as symbols and visuals identifiers for these units.^[112] The flag of the Canadian Army is red, adopted in 2018, is charged with a white maple leaf bearing the Canadian Army badge, and features the flag of Canada in the canton. Red is used as it is the Army’s official colour, the white maple leaf is based on the emblem worn by Canadian soldiers during the First World War, while the national flag in the canton signifies its use as a CAF command flag.^[113]

The Canadian Army, along with its formations and units, have authorized marches distinct to their own organizations.^[114] The Great Little Army was adopted as the Army's official march in 2013, replacing Celer Paratus Callidus, which had been used since 1968. An army spokesperson noted that the previous march was neither "particularly tuneful nor easily recognizable," while the new march was "appropriate in both name and tune."^[115]

The Canadian Army badge is made up of three conjoined maple leaves superimposed on crossed swords, surmounted by the Crown.^[111] The design, created by Archer Fortescue Duguid,^[111] was issued with approval on 7 April 1947.^[116] The crossed swords symbolize the Army's military history and its teamwork in defence of Canada. The three maple leaves are taken from the coat of arms of Canada, representing the heritage of the army and its service to the Canadian sovereign and country.^[117]

Prior to the adoption of a unique badge, the Army used the Canadian coat of arms as its badge.^[116] Discussions about a unique badge for the Army began as early as 1945, before Duguid's design was selected.^[111] Several Canadian Army Orders were issued in subsequent years that altered the design, like in 1953, when Crown was changed from the Tudor Crown to St Edward's Crown.^[116]

Following the 1968 unification of Canada's military branches into the CAF, the Army's badge was replaced by CAF emblems.^[118] A new insignia was approved for Force Mobile Command in 1967 anticipation of unification, featuring a red 11-point maple leaf on a white field over four blue arrowheads pointing to the cardinal directions, symbolizing national identity and mobility by land, sea, and air.^[119] The insignia was incorporated into the standardized heraldic frames for CAF commands following royal approval in September 1968, with its heraldic blazon published in 1976.^[120]

After Force Mobile Command was reorganized as Land Force Command, a new badge for the army was created, based on the original Canadian Army badge but with a single maple leaf instead of three conjoined leaves. During this reorganization, there was a proposal for Land Force Command Headquarters to readopt the original Canadian Army badge, however, it was not implemented.^[121]

Shortly after and Force Command was redesignated as the Canadian Army, it adopted a new badge that incorporated the original pre-unification Canadian Army badge into the CAF's heraldic frame.^[122] In 2016, the Army approved a new badge that revived the original 1947 design and removed the heraldic frame.^[117]

The army adopted an anthropomorphic bear as its military mascot to represent its personnel, with the name "Juno" selected through a public contest in 2003, honouring the Juno Beach landings of the Battle of Normandy. On Remembrance Day in 2015, the Army adopted a polar bear at the Toronto Zoo as its "live mascot", also naming her Juno and appointing her an honorary private. She was later promoted to honorary corporal on her first birthday and to honorary master corporal on her fifth.^[123]

• ABCANZ Armies
• Arctic Response Company Group
• Canadian Army Trophy
• Canadian military bands
• Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
• Formation patches of the Canadian Army
• Regimental nicknames of the Canadian Forces
• Soldier Apprentice

• Dunn, Brittany (2023). "A Documentary History of the Badge of the Canadian Army". Canadian Military History. 32 (2).
• Stacey, C. P., ed. (1964). Introduction to the Study of Military History for Canadian Students (PDF) (Sixth ed.). Directorate of Training Canadian Forces Headquarters.
• Kasurak, Peter. A National Force: The Evolution of Canada's Army, 1950–2000 (Vancouver: UBC Press, 2013)

• Official website
• forces.ca - The Canadian Army