A picture of a Reflective Chief of Staff General Rick Hillier
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OTTAWA - Gen. Rick Hillier, the country's top military commander and most articulate spokesman for the war in Afghanistan, submitted his resignation to the prime minister Tuesday, say defence sources.
It is expected to become effective July 1.
Hillier was caught by a television crew leaving National Defence headquarters over the lunch hour, but he said nothing. He was expected to make a statement later in the afternoon.
Appointed just over three years ago as chief of defence staff, Hillier, 52, has been the most visible military leader in a generation and a political lightning rod over his often blunt assessments of both Canada's enemies and the country's defence policy.
He has been both a blessing and a curse for the Conservative government, making a case for the combat mission in Kandahar when political leaders seemed unable or unwilling to defend it.
But his popularity has often overshadowed his political masters and became a liability last summer.
Hillier ended up in a public tussle with former defence minister Gordon O'Connor over how long it would take for Canadian troops to train their Afghan counterparts - a key pillar of the war's exit strategy. The contradiction between the two was widely believed to have cost O'Connor his job.
Both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Liberal predecessor, Paul Martin, have said they relied heavily on Hillier's military advice.
It is up to Harper whether to accept the resignation.
Hillier's replacement is widely expected to come from the army even though the top defence job, by custom, usually rotates between services.
One of the names often mentioned is Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, the current head of the army.
NDP Leader Jack Layton, who has often been critical of Hillier, was full of praise Tuesday.
Here's someone who has given many years of service to our country, Layton said.
We always have to be thankful that people are willing to do these kinds of difficult jobs and when they decide to move on and take their retirement, I think all Canadians would want to wish the general well and certainly I would add my name to that list of Canadians.
Born in 1955, Hillier was known as the soldiers' soldier, an outspoken advocate who put the welfare of his troops before all else.
His legacy will be a renewed military, equipped with new aircraft, vehicles and other equipment depleted by years of budget cuts and neglect.
Having earned a science degree from Memorial University in his native Newfoundland, Hillier joined the army 36 years ago and trained as an armoured officer.
He said when he joined he had no ambitions to be a general: I just wanted to be a soldier.
His career took him from regimental duties in a tank unit to staff jobs in Montreal and National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, where he eventually became army, then defence, chief.
He has served across Canada, twice in Europe and the United States, and did a term as the senior NATO officer in Afghanistan.
His predecessor, air force Gen. Ray Henault, served five years in the job, while Gen. John de Chastelain served two separate appointments - from 1989 until 1993, and again in 1994-95.
Let us hope and pray that the Prime Minister selects a new Chief of Staff that is as dedicated to the troops as General Hillier. I am sure that more information will be forthcoming in the future.
Till then Farewell Old Soldier and Thankyou for your years of dedicated service to your Queen,Country and especially to your TROOPS.
Nil SIne Labore
Robby
