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Former Cdn Top Soldier writes Memoirs-Afghanistan and politics
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by albertacowpoke | October 20, 2009 at 03:52 am
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Former Canadian Chief of Defence Staff has recently released his memoirs A Soldier First: Bullets, Bureaucrats and the Politics of War.
Hillier was a former Commander of ISAF in Kabul, a job now held by General McChrystal. In his memoirs, a soldier's general, takes on politicians and bureaucrats.
It has been alleged by some politicians that Hillier was responsible for convincing Prime Minister Paul Martin to deploy Canadian troops to Khandahar Province. According to Hillier, nothing could be further from the truth.
In his book he emphasizes that the decision to deploy to Khandahar had already been made. The politicians had decided to send a Provincial Reconstruction team (PRT) there. Hillier had advocated that these troops should be deployed to Khandahar to reconstruct the Kabul airport, a task that would have been relatively safe.
When the decision had been made to deploy the PRT to Khandahar, Hillier advocated to have a Battlegroup (a battalion size fighting forces with its support elements) deployed to provide security for this PRT.
He felt, without security provided for the PRT, they would be left vulnerable in the isolated outposts of Khandahar Province.
He talks of his battle with former Conservative Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor. O'Connor a retired Brigadier General and fellow armoured officer with Hillier, had a tendency to circumvent the Chain of Command, sometimes reaching down to the level of Colonel to get the answer that supported his own view.
During his first meeting with O'Connor, he was given a message, probably by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), to reduce his public profile. Hillier ignored them.
Hillier was a controversial, but effective Chief of Defence Staff. There is no doubt that he had the interests of his soldiers at heart. He spoke directly to the Canadian public to elevate the image of Canadian soldiers.
He ensured that every casualty was visible to the Canadian public. When the government wanted to hide the homecoming of casualties or ensure they arrived at night, he advocated for the high profile return of casualties as long as the families agreed.
Hitler advocated on behalf of the soldiers, was outspoken, and not the normal political general. He was a breath of fresh air for the Canadian Forces and well liked by its soldiers.
The book will make a great read.
The decision to send Canadian soldiers to southern Afghanistan was largely made before Rick Hillier became the country's military commander, the former chief of defence staff says in a provocative new memoir, A Soldier First: Bullets, Bureaucrats and the Politics of War, which is now available.
Blunt, hard-hitting and often cheeky, Hillier lays out his side of the story through the tumultuous early years of the war, including his strained relationship with former defence minister Gordon O'Connor and an attempt by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office to limit his public profile.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (10)
at 04:03 on October 20th, 2009
good story ty
at 04:07 on October 20th, 2009
You.re welcome. Hillier and O'Connor have a history. Gordon was Commanding Officer of the Royal Canadian Dragoons and Rick was a Captain.
at 07:07 on October 20th, 2009
Hmmm, my dad's birthday is coming up....
at 08:02 on October 20th, 2009
The book might make a great present, if your dad likes this kind of stuff
at 12:41 on October 20th, 2009
It has been alleged by some politicians that Hillier was responsible for convincing Prime Minister Paul Martin to deploy Canadian troops to Khandahar Province. According to Hillier, nothing could be further from the truth.
It never ceases to amaze me how alleging, assuming, presuming, supposing work their way into credibility. I commented on another thread about "group think." It's a powerful force if particularly in this situation discrediting Hillier served a purpose for agrandizement or personal gain of someone or a political ideology.
You have to respect Hillier for standing by his ideals, and putting the soldier and the Canadian people first on his agenda.
at 12:49 on October 20th, 2009
Hillier was and still is respected by the soldiers he commanded as well as a large segment of the population. He ensured that the fallen were not hidden. He went and helped organize Red Friday, which was started to pay respect to our troops.
Hillier is from a small town in Newfoundland where telling the truth and saying it as it is, is still in style.
at 13:44 on October 20th, 2009
Is he married?
at 16:06 on October 20th, 2009
I believe he is.
at 22:15 on October 22nd, 2009
If politicians send troops to do a job, the politicians have to stand back and let the troops do it. Otherwise we are doomed to fail!! And Fail miserably.
at 02:55 on October 23rd, 2009
Yep, lead follow or get out of the way.