General Eyre’s final message to the CAF

July 18, 2024 - Defence Stories

Today, as I hand over command of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to General Carignan, I want to leave you with a final message.

Over the course of the last several years, we have seen the world becoming increasingly tumultuous and dangerous, with non-stop crises arising and a return to the spectre of great power conflict. The world is awash in toxic disinformation, attacking our institutions of democracy, including our own. Our climate is changing, and our society is undergoing massive changes. I am convinced that history will view our current era as a turning point.

In all of this, I firmly believe that the CAF is a force for good. We provide security and stability, and above all hope, the most powerful of human emotions, to a world in dire need of it. In the years ahead these qualities will be in much demand. There is no higher purpose than to answer the call of duty to defend our country and protect its people. In doing so, you are part of something bigger than yourselves.

As an institution, we have had and continue to have our challenges, but our history is replete with challenging times that our predecessors overcame. I know you are up to it. I know ours is an institution with a positive trajectory, an institution on the upswing, and an institution that will continue to deliver.

You have every right to be confident and proud. I have worked with military members from around the world, and I know firsthand that you are world class. Our friends, partners, and Allies recognize this, and want more of you. Within the CAF, we are blessed with exceptional individuals who deliver excellence every day.

Looking ahead, as you continue to serve in our profession, always seek to get better - as individuals, as teams, as units, and as an institution. My parting advice is that you to continue to weave the following habits into the fabric of your daily lives:

• Continually develop the character and competence needed in our profession. Given the rapidly changing character of war, we need learn and improve ourselves every day.
• Remain committed to our values and the defence of our nation. These are our ‘North Star’ that guide all our actions.
• Success is predicated on teamwork, so look after each other, treat everyone with respect and dignity.
• Inoculate yourself and those around you against the toxic disinformation in our society and the cynicism it breeds. We must stop it from seeping into our ranks.
• Commit to personal readiness and resilience, including fitness. We must be able to absorb the shocks and stresses of military life and be able to rapidly respond when the call of duty comes.
• Cultivate the fighting spirit necessary to win. We must prevail in the hard days.
• Take pride in who you are and what you do in the service of our country.

As I reflect on my military journey, and think ahead to yours, I am envious, and would do it all again. You will have many challenges and many rewards along the way, and through it you will learn, grow, and develop deep friendships and have treasured experiences like nowhere else. The value is in the journey itself, not the destination.

I am proud of you and our CAF.

General Wayne D. Eyre
Chief of the Defence Staff