Canadian Forces Insignia

Canadian Forces (CF)

The Canadian Forces (CF) (French: Forces canadiennes; FC), officially the Canadian Armed Forces (French: Forces armées canadiennes), are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces." This singular institution consists of three main branches: Maritime Command (MARCOM), Land Force Command (LFC), and Air Command (AIRCOM), which are together overseen by the Armed Forces Council, chaired by the Chief of the Defence Staff. At the pinnacle of the command structure is the Commander-in-Chief, who is the reigning Canadian monarch, Elizabeth II, represented by the Governor General.

The current iteration of the Canadian Forces dates from 1 February 1968, when the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force were merged into a unified structure. Its roots, however, lie in colonial militia groups that served alongside garrisons of the French and British armies and navies; a structure that remained in place until the early 20th century. Thereafter, a distinctly Canadian army and navy was established, followed by an air force, that, because of the constitutional arrangements at the time, remained effectively under the control of the British government until Canada gained legislative independence from the United Kingdom in 1931, partly due to the performance and sacrifice of the Canadian Corps in the First World War.

Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC)

[Edited to add on Sept. 24, 2013] The Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC; French: Commandement des opérations interarmées du Canada or COIC) is one of the two unified commands of the Canadian Forces, the other one being the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. CJOC was announced in May 2012 as the result of the cost-cutting measures in the 2012 federal budget through the merger of Canada Command, the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command and the Canadian Operational Support Command under an integrated command-and-control structure. The command was stood up on 5 October 2012 to officially replace the three former organizations.

The command team is composed of a three-star commander, assisted by three two-star deputy commanders, one for each of the three main components (Continental, Expeditionary, and Support). The team is rounded out by a one-star chief of staff and four senior non-commissioned members, an overall command chief warrant/petty officer, and a command chief warrant/petty officer for each component.

CJOC's role is to "anticipate and conduct Canadian Forces operations, and develop, generate and integrate joint force capabilities for operations."

The continental component consists of six regional joint task forces. In five of these JTFs, the commander also commands an army division or a maritime force. The five southern JTFs have no permanent operational units: units and detachments are temporarily assigned to them from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force according to operational requirements.

Canadian Operational Support Command (CANOSCOM)

The Canadian Operational Support Command or CANOSCOM (in french : Commandement du soutien opérationnel du Canada or COMSOCAN) is one of seven commands of the Canadian Forces (CF). It provides the CF with combat support (including logistics, military engineering, land equipment maintenance services, communications and information systems, health services and military police) and service for both domestic and international missions.

CANOSCOM consists of approximately 1,100 soldiers from all branches of the Canadian Forces who provide operations support to thousands of Canadian Forces involved in many missions. The CANOSCOM commands the Canadian Forces Joint Support Group, the Canadian Forces Joint Signal Regiment and J4 Materiel. CANOSCOM oversees 16 units and formations.

Canadian Expeditionary Force Command (CEFCOM)

Canadian Expeditionary Force Command (french: Commandement de la Force expéditionnaire du Canada) is an operational element of the Canadian Forces for operations outside of Canada.

Under the CF structure, Canadian Expeditionary Forces Command (CEFCOM) is the unified command that is responsible for all Canadian Forces (CF) international operations, with the exception of operations conducted solely by Canadian Special Operations Forces Command elements. Similar to the integrated chain of command put in place under Canada Command (Canada COM), the CF’s operational command headquarters responsible for domestic operations, CEFCOM will bring together under one operational command the maritime, land and air force assets to conduct humanitarian, peace support or combat operations wherever they are required internationally.

Headquartered in Ottawa, CEFCOM is responsible for setting the standards for integrated training and final certification of assigned forces – ensuring that all units and personnel selected to conduct overseas duties are fully trained and ready to do so.

Canada Command (CANADACOM)

Canada Command (CANADACOM) (in French : Commandement Canada or COMCAN) is one of the seven commands of the Canadian Forces. Stood up on February 1, 2006, it is responsible for all domestic operations and national security missions; as an operational commands, it works closely with environment commands such as the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, as well as with other operational commands such as Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, Canadian Expeditionary Force Command and Canadian Operational Support Command.

CANCOM also maintains a close relationship with its American counterpart, the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), and contributes to NORAD alongside with the 1 Canadian Air Division of the Canadian Forces Air Command.

Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was the air force of Canada from 1924 until 1968. Canadian Air Force was reestablished as Royal Canadian Air Force in 2011.

Prior to 1924, Canada's involvement with air defence consisted of Canadian airmen flying with the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service, with the short-lived Canadian Aviation Corps, and with a small two-squadron Canadian Air Force attached to the Royal Air Force in England during the First World War. In 1920 another Canadian Air Force was established in Canada that was concerned mostly with military flight training and civil operations. This Canadian Air Force was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924 and continued its focus on civil aviation. The RCAF's focus changed to one of a military nature and it became an active participant in the Second World War and the Cold War.

In 1968 the three branches of the Canadian military were merged into the Canadian Forces and the RCAF was disbanded.

The modern Canadian air force has been known as Canadian Forces Air Command (AIRCOM) since 1975, but still refers to itself as the "Air Force" and maintains many of the traditions of the RCAF. In 2011 it was renamed back to Royal Canadian Air Force, as a measure of preserving Canadian military heritage. 

Royal Canadian Navy (RCN)

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN, Marine royale canadienne in French) was the navy of Canada from 1911 to 1968. From May 4, 1910, to August 29, 1911, the navy was known as the Naval Service of Canada and operationally as Canadian Naval Forces.

The RCN played a role in the First World War, contributed significantly to the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War, and was a part of NATO's force buildup during the Cold War. However 1960s politicians believed that unification of the services was more appropriate than single services remaining. Therefore in 1968 all three Canadian services were unified to form the Canadian Armed Forces (short form: Canadian Forces (CF)). In 2011 Canadian Naval Forces were reestablished as the Royal Canadian Navy, for the same reasons the old name was returned to Royal Canadian Air Force. 

Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) (French: Garde côtière canadienne - GCC) is the coast guard of Canada. It is a federal agency responsible for providing maritime search and rescue (SAR), aids to navigation, marine pollution response, marine radio, and icebreaking. Unlike some other coast guards, such as the United States Coast Guard, the CCG is a civilian organisation with no military or law enforcement responsibilities.

The Canadian Coast Guard is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario and is a Special Operating Agency within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Canadian Forces Land Force Command (LFC)

The Canadian Forces Land Force Command (LFC), often called the Canadian Army, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of Land Force Command is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers.

LFC maintains regular forces units at bases across Canada and is also responsible for the largest component of the Primary Reserve, the Army Reserve, which is often referred to informally by its historic name, the "militia". The Chief of the Land Staff is Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin.

LFC is the descendant of the Canadian Army which was the name of Canada's land forces from 1940 until February 1, 1968. At the time of unification all army units were placed under Mobile Command (MC), later changed to Force Mobile Command (FMC) in 1975 when tactical air units were assigned to newly-created Air Command. The name was changed from FMC to Land Force Command in a 1997 reorganization of the Canadian Forces.

Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (RCIC)

The Royal Canadian Infantry Corps is the Corps to which all Canadian infantry regiments belong. This is also known as the "Infantry Branch". Originally formed as the Canadian Infantry Corps in 1942 to encompass all existing infantry regiments, including regiments of foot guards, in the Canadian Army. The corps was granted its "royal" designation in 1947 and was designated Royal Canadian Infantry Corps 30 April 1947 to be redesignated The Royal Canadian Infantry Corps 22 March 1948 and revert back to Royal Canadian Infantry Corps 18 April 1955. The crest of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps consists of a circle, with a Kings Crown on top, superimposed on two rifles, with the text "Infantry Infanterie." There is a ribbon with the text "Ducimus" on the bottom. At the center of the circle is a stem with tree maple leaves.

With integration of the Canadian Forces it became Infantry Branch, Canadian Forces 2 May 1969. Today, the administration and training and both the regular and reserve infantry that form part of Land Command is the responsibility of the Infantry School, which runs courses in all aspects of infantry operation, and is stationed at CFB Gagetown.

Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC)

The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC) is the armoured branch of service of the Canadian Forces Land Force Command (Canadian Army), including regular force and reserve regiments. The corps was formed on 13 August 1940 as the Canadian Armoured Corps with Major-General (then Colonel) F. F. Worthington as its first colonel-commandant, but claimed lineage from the Canadian Tank Corps of the First World War. The royal designation was added on 2 August 1945, after the European war ended. Canadian armoured regiments split their heritage between the cavalry, from which many armoured regiments were created, and the infantry beginning in 1936 with the creation of "infantry (tank)" regiments and continuing from 1940 when many infantry regiments mobilized armoured units for the Second World War and eventually transferred from the (Royal) Canadian Infantry Corps into the RCAC. In Canada, with the integration of the Canadian army into the Canadian Forces, the Armour Branch has continued to use the title Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.

Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery (RCA)

The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery (Fr: le Régiment royal de l'Artillerie canadienne) is the artillery personnel branch of the Canadian Forces (CF). Many of the units and batteries of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery are older than Canada itself. The first artillery company in Canada was formed in the province of Quebec in 1750.

Volunteer Canadian artillery batteries existed before 1855 but their history is mostly unknown. Seven batteries of artillery were formed after the passage of the Militia Act of 1855 which allowed Canada to retain a paid military force of 5,000 men. One of the pre-1855 volunteer batteries formed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1793 was called the “Loyal Company of Artillery” and exists today as the 3rd Field Regiment, RCA.

Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA)

The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery is the name given to the regular field artillery units of the Canadian Army. RCHA units are the senior units of the Canadian land field force, with a history dating back to the birth of Canada as a nation. 'A' and 'B' Batteries of Garrison Artillery were formed as the first units of Canada's permanent military force in 1871 in Kingston and Quebec City respectively, with a third ('C' Battery) authorized in 1883 and formed in 1887 in Esquimalt. These bore the name of the Regiment of Canadian Artillery, with the Royal Canadian Artillery being formed as the militia element in 1895. In 1905, to distinguish between the regular force and militia, the regulars were given the title Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.

Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM)

Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) (French: Commandement des Forces d'opérations spéciales du Canada; COMFOSCAN), is a command of the Canadian Forces. It is responsible for all special forces operations that are capable of responding to terrorism and threats to Canadians and Canadian interests around the world.

CANSOFCOM is composed of:

·         Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) - Dwyer Hill Training Centre, Ottawa

·         Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) - CFB Petawawa

·         427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS)- CFB Petawawa

·         Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU) - CFB Kingston and Trenton

·         Task Force Arrowhead (2011)

CANSOFCOM is capable of operating as an independent formation but its primary focus is to generate Special Operations Forces (SOF) elements to support Canada Command (Canada COM) and the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command (CEFCOM). Integrating special operations forces in this manner increases their impact in operations, as well as the range of options available to the government in the deployment of the Canadian Forces.

CANSOFCOM core tasks are as follows: to provide the Canadian Forces with a capacity to prevent and react to terrorism in all environments, to provide the CF with a capability to perform other missions as directed by the Government of Canada, such as direct action (DA), special reconnaissance (SR), defence diplomacy and military assistance (DDMA), as well as special humanitarian assistance (such as the evacuation of non-combatants)


Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2)

Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2) (French: Deuxième Force opérationnelle interarmées) is an elite Special Operations Force of the Canadian Armed Forces primarily tasked with counter-terrorism operations. JTF2 together with the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR), 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS), and the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU) form the operational elements of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.

Much of the information regarding Joint Task Force 2 is highly classified, and is not commented on by either the Government of Canada or the Department of National Defence on the unit’s capabilities, organization, and operational missions.


Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) 

The Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) (French : Régiment d'opérations spéciales du Canada) is a battalion-sized, high-readiness special operations unit part of CANSOFCOM. CSOR is capable of conducting and enabling a broad range of missions, including Direct Action (DA), Defence Diplomacy and Military Assistance (DDMA), Special Reconnaissance (SR) and Domestic Counter Terrorism (Dom CT). CSOR personnel are intelligent, physically fit, and possess a host of skills that enable them to operate effectively in challenging environments. CSOR is internationally recognized for being an innovative, cutting-edge special operations force




427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS)

427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS) is a tactical helicopter unit that provides aviation support to Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. The squadron is based at CFB Petawawa, Ontario with a fleet of Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopters.

427 started as a bomber squadron formed at Croft, England on 7 November 1942 and spent its wartime entirely in England as a part of No. 6 Group RCAF, RAF Bomber Command. 427 flew Vickers Wellington Mk IIIs and Mk Xs from its first operational mission on 14 December 1942, a minelaying sortie to the Frisian Islands, until May of 1943 when it was relocated to Leeming, North Yorkshire. 1 February 2006 saw command of 427 transferred to Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, as it took on a full-time role of special operations aviation support. Shortly thereafter, it was renamed as, "427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (SOAS)." Unlike the 160th SOAR (US Army), there are no specialized standards (in the "Special Operations context") for any 427 SOAS members unlike the other units in CANSOFCOM - JTF 2, CSOR and CJIRU and entrance into 427 SOAS requires only "negotiations through Career Managers and losing units.

Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU)

The Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit of the Canadian Forces was created "to provide timely and agile broad-based CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) support to the Government of Canada in order to prevent, control and mitigate CBRN threats to Canada, Canadians and Canadian interests." It is a sub-unit of the Joint Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Company, which in turn forms part of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.

Subsequent to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the Chief Review Services Report on Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence of the same year, it became evident that the Canadian Forces needed to increase the breadth of its NBCD capabilities. The federal government, under then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, allotted $30 million in the December 2001 budget to enhance this capability and create the Joint Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Company (JNBCD Coy). In September 2007 the CJIRU was created as the rapid deployment response team of the Joint Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Company (JNBCD Coy) due to the company's vast operational capabilities, duties and responsibilities.

Due to the requirement for rapid deployment of the unit, CJIRU is based alongside airlift assets at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario. The JNBCD Coy Headquarters is located at CFB Kingston, Ontario.

Canadian Military Engineers (CME)

The Canadian Military Engineers (CME) is the military engineer branch of the Canadian Forces. The mission of the Canadian Military Engineers is to contribute to the survival, mobility, and combat effectiveness of the Canadian Forces. Their roles are to conduct combat operations, support the Canadian Forces in war and peace, support national development, provide assistance to civil authorities, and support international aid programs. Military engineers’ responsibilities encompass the use of demolitions and land mines, the design, construction and maintenance of defensive works and fortifications, urban operations (hostile room entry), breaching obstacles, establishing/maintaining lines of communication, and bridging. They also provide water, power and other utilities, provide fire, aircraft crash and rescue services, hazardous material operations, and develop maps and other engineering intelligence. In addition, military engineers are experts in deception and concealment, as well as in the design and development of equipment necessary to carry out these operations. The official role of the Combat Engineer is to allow friendly troops to live, move and fight on the battlefield and deny that to the enemy.

Canadian Forces Military Police

The Canadian Forces Military Police provide military police services to the Canadian Forces.

Canadian Military Police are unusual in that they are classified as Peace Officers in the Criminal Code of Canada, which gives them the same powers as civilian law enforcement personnel to enforce Acts of Parliament on DND property or in relation to DND property anywhere in the world. They have the power to arrest anyone who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline (CDS), regardless of position or rank under the National Defence Act. MPs have the power to arrest non-CDS bound civilians only in cases where a crime is committed on or in relation to DND property, or at the request of the Minister of Public Safety, Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada or Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Although MP jurisdiction is on military establishments across Canada and throughout the world, any civilian accessing these areas falls under MP jurisdiction and are dealt with in the same manner as any civilian policing agency. If in fact a crime is committed on or in relation to DND property, CFMP have the power to arrest and charge the offender, military or civilian, on or off DND property. It is important to note though that the purpose of the CFMP is not to replace the job of a civilian police officer, but rather to support the Canadian Forces through security and policing services.

Communications and Electronics (C&E)

The Communications and Electronics (C&E) Branch is a personnel branch of the Canadian Forces (CF). Major Wallace Bruce Matthews Carruthers (13 February 1863 - 21 October 1910) was the founder of the Canadian Signalling Corps, forerunner of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals and the Communications and Electronics Branch of the Canadian Forces. The Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics(CFSCEE) in Kingston, Ontario was founded in 1937. Initially, CFSCEE provided training in Communications and Electronics in Canadian Army and now in the Canadian Forces. The last "E" was dropped in recent times, and is now called CFSCE. CFSCE provides basic, intermediate and advanced training to military personnel in the field of Communications and Electronics

Canadian Forces Medical Service (CFMS)

The Canadian Forces Medical Service (CFMS) provides medical support for the Canadian Forces (CF) both at home and abroad. It is also a personnel branch of the CF. The CFMS along with the Canadian Forces Dental Service (CFDS) form the Canadian Forces Health Services Group (CF H Svcs Gp). The branch has its origins in the Dominion government's 1885 response to the North-West Rebellion, with the appointment of Canada's first Surgeon General, Doctor Darby Bergin of Cornwall, Ontario, and the mobilization of two field hospitals.

It suffered significant budgetary cutbacks after the 1994 Broadbent Report following the end of the Cold War, with three of its six military hospitals being closed.

More of the CFMS History can be found at the CF Health Services web site. Former Colonel in Chief was Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (mother of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II). The current Colonel in Chief is Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (daughter of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince Phillip)

Canadian Forces Intelligence Branch

The Intelligence (Int) Branch is a personnel branch of the Canadian Forces (CF) that is concerned with providing relevant and correct information to enable commanders to make decisions. The Intelligence Branch of the Canadian Forces works in a variety of challenging positions, at home and abroad, meeting the needs of commanders and operational planners of the Canadian Forces at all levels and in all environments, be it on overseas missions like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haiti, Somalia, Rwanda, East Timor, and Afghanistan, or at home like the ice storms in Quebec, floods in Winnipeg, and fires in British Columbia. Army intelligence reservists, employed at 6 Intelligence Company (Edmonton, Vancouver and Winnipeg), 2 Intelligence Company (Toronto) and 2 Intelligence Platoon (Ottawa), 4 Intelligence Company (platoons in Montreal and Quebec City), 3 Intelligence Company (Halifax, Nova Scotia), make a vital contribution to this effort while in garrison or deployed on overseas missions.

Canadian Forces Logistics Branch

The Logistics (Log) Branch is a personnel branch of the Canadian Forces (CF).

When the Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Air Force were merged in 1968 to form the Canadian Forces, the administrative Corps of the Army were deactivated and merged with their Naval and Air Force counterparts to form the Canadian Forces' personnel branches.

The Royal Canadian Army Service Corps transport and supply elements were combined with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps to form the Logistics Branch

The Royal Canadian Postal Corps, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps clerical trades, and Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps were merged to form the Administration Branch (later merged with the Logistics Branch).

In April 2007, the CF Armed Forces Council decided to incorporate the Personnel Selection Branch into the Logistics branch.

Canadian Forces Legal Branch

The Legal Branch is a personnel branch of the Canadian Forces (CF). It primarily deals with the Canadian Forces' legal affairs. The Military Law Centre on the grounds of the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario which is staffed with nine military lawyers, oversees the education of officers and troops in legal matters ranging from the Forces' own code of conduct to the laws of war. It trains military lawyers and advises Ottawa on matters of policy and doctrine. The centre integrates legal education into the regular training that Forces members undergo and establishes its growing importance within the military hierarchy.

Personnel Selection Branch

The Personnel Selection Branch is a personnel branch of the Canadian Forces (CF).

The Personnel Selection branch was created in the Canadian Army on 18 September 1941. Later on the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy followed suit. Officers of the Personnel Selection (PSEL) branch provide behavioural science services to enable the Canadian Forces (CF) to effectively assess, acquire, integrate, and maintain personnel for operational and support roles. The primary tasks of a Personnel Selection Officer (PSO) require the application of professional behavioural science knowledge and procedures in the assessment of people and human factors that affect working relationships. Through interviews, psychological testing, and other sources of information, PSOs assess the suitability of individuals for military service and recommend subsequent assignment to an appropriate military occupation for training. They also assess and recommend the suitability of military personnel for special training or employment.

In April 2007, the CF Armed Forces Council decided to incorporate the Personnel Selection Branch into the Logistics branch.

Canadian Defence Academy (CDA)

The Canadian Defence Academy is an organization located within the Canadian Forces created in 2000. The academy is situated within the Military Personnel Command. CDA is comprised several training institutes such as the Royal Military College of Canada and the Royal Military College Saint-Jean.








Royal Canadian Regiment (The RCR)

The Royal Canadian Regiment (The RCR) is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve (militia). The RCR is the senior infantry regiment in the Regular Force, but its 4th Battalion (formerly the London and Oxford Fusiliers) is ranked 11th in the order of precedence among infantry regiments in the Primary Reserve. The regiment's four battalions are stationed in Ontario and New Brunswick. With many of its soldiers drawn from Ontario and the Atlantic Provinces in recent decades, the regiment maintains a general connection as the "local" infantry regiment for eastern Canada.

The RCR maintains a Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) in Petawawa, Ontario, which has no operational command role but handles regimental affairs outside the responsibility of the individual Battalions. The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum is located within historic Wolseley Hall in London, Ontario. Wolseley Barracks in London has been continuously occupied by some element of the regiment since construction of Wolseley Hall was completed in 1888. At various times Wolseley Barracks has been the home of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, and remains the home of the 4th Battalion today.


Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI, generally referred to as Patricia's) is one of the three main infantry regiments of the Canadian Forces (CF). It is one of the most decorated regiments in Canada. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers. The PPCLI is the main lodger unit of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton in Alberta and CFB Shilo in Manitoba, and belongs to the Land Force Western Area; as such it is the "local" regular infantry regiment for much of western and Pacific Canada. The Loyal Edmonton Regiment is the reserve battalion of the regiment and carries the designation '4th Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry'.

The regiment is not an operational structure, but rather a protocolary one. The four battalions are thus operational entities, under the 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group for the Regular Force and the 41 Canadian Brigade Group for the Primary Reserve. Although the regiment carries the designation of 'Light Infantry', two of its battalions are mechanized infantry, and the unit has never been organized as a traditional light infantry regiment.

The PPCLI was raised on the initiative of Captain Andrew Hamilton Gault in 1914, to participate in the Canadian war effort for the First World War. It was the first Canadian infantry unit to enter the theatre of operations, arriving in France on December 21, 1914. The regiment has also participated in the Second World War, the Korean War and the War in Afghanistan, as well as in numerous NATO operations and UN peacekeeping missions. The regiment has received 39 battle honours, two mentions of the Commander-in-Chief and the United States Presidential Unit Citation.


Royal 22e Régiment

The Royal 22e Régiment is an infantry regiment and the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. The regiment comprises three Regular Force battalions, two Primary Reserve battalions, and a band, making it the largest regiment in the Canadian Army. The ceremonial home of the regiment is La Citadelle in Quebec City, where the regimental museum is housed. The regiment is nicknamed the Van Doos, an anglicized mispronunciation of vingt-deux ("twenty-two" in French.) The regiment's regimental headquarters is located in Quebec City, with all three of its regular battalions stationed at various bases in the province of Quebec. The regiment serves as the "local" infantry regiment for Quebec.


Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD)

The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) is an armoured regiment of the Canadian Army. It is one of three armoured regiments in the Regular Force and forms part of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. The Royal Canadian Dragoons is the most senior cavalry regiment in Canada, having been formed on December 21, 1883, 3:03 pm, as the Cavalry School Corps, as a result of the Militia Act of 1883, which also created the Infantry School Corps (now The Royal Canadian Regiment). The Militia Act of 1883 emphasized the need for a fully trained army to defend Canada, as its defences had been pierced during the Fenian raids. In 1887 it was renamed the Royal School of Cavalry. In 1892 the regiment was renamed as the Canadian Dragoons and in 1893 it became The Royal Canadian Dragoons.

It served in the North-West campaign of 1885, the Second Boer War, First World War, Second World War, past peacekeeping (such as Somalia, Korea, and Kosovo among others) and Afghanistan with distinction.

The regiment currently serves as part of Land Force Central Area's 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group based at CFB Petawawa, Ontario, and is a dedicated reconnaissance regiment. It converted to this role in April 2003, and was equipped solely with Coyote light armoured reconnaissance vehicles.

In late 2006 the regiment was once again equipped with the Leopard tank. In March 2007, a Tank Troop was stood up and prepared to deploy to Afghanistan with the Leopard 2A6M. C Squadron was reformed and stationed in CFB Gagetown with the promise of tank capability in 2012.


Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (LdSH [RC])

Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (LdSH [RC]) is a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces. Currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, the regiment is part of Land Force Western Area's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. When deployed overseas, however, the regiment is placed in ad hoc formations that report directly to National Defence Headquarters and not to 1 CMBG. Members of the regiment are commonly called Strathconas or Strats as a short form.

The regiment is currently composed of a regimental headquarters and five primary squadrons: A, B, C, Reconnaissance ('Recce') and Headquarters. In September 2006, B Squadron deployed to Afghanistan using the Leopard C2, the first NATO deployment of main battle tanks (MBTs) to Afghanistan. Currently, one Squadron is deployed as part of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI) Battle Group.

Each year the squadron that distinguishes itself with the highest efficiency rating in the Regiment earns the title "Prince of Wales Squadron" for the year. The regiment has seven affiliated cadet corps in Alberta and British Columbia.

The main vehicles operated by Lord Strathcona's Horse are the Leopard tank and the Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle. Due to a change in Canadian army doctrine in the early 2000s away from heavy armour to more infantry-centred operations, Lord Strathcona's Horse was for several years the only regular armoured regiment to operate MBTs. This was until the 2006 announcement that the Royal Canadian Dragoons would be re-equipped with a squadron of Leopards.

The regimental motto is Perseverance.


12th Armoured Regiment of Canada

The 12e Régiment blindé du Canada (12th Armoured Regiment of Canada) is a Canadian Forces armoured regiment based in CFB Valcartier, on the outskirts of Quebec City. The regiment has both Regular Force and Primary Reserve components.

The 12e Régiment blindé du Canada's abbreviation is 12e RBC. Both the regular and militia regiments serve mainly in the armoured reconnaissance role but a squadron of tanks is now being formed out of Valcartier. origins are in The Three Rivers Regiment, a militia (Reserve Force) regiment based in Trois-Rivières, a town halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. Originally formed in 1871 as the 178th provisional battalion of Infantry and after many name changes, became the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada in 1968. This was a new Regular Force regiment which was created in Valcartier, while a militia unit was left in Trois-Rivières under the name 12e Régiment blindé du Canada (Milice). The number in the regimental title commemorates The Three Rivers Regiment's order of battle during the Second World War: 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Three Rivers Regiment). The Canadian Army traditionally avoided having city or region names in the titles of its Regular Force regiments; this was likely the reason for the 1960s name change (additionally, the name of the unit used English spelling for a French city.)

British Columbia Dragoons (BCD)

The British Columbia Dragoons (BCD) is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance regiment of the Canadian Forces. It is based in Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton, British Columbia. The British Columbia Dragoons are part of Land Force Western Area's 39 Canadian Brigade Group.

The British Columbia Dragoons trace their origins to the formation of the Canadian Mounted Rifles, two independent squadrons of horse in Kamloops and Vernon in 1908. In 1910 two additional squadrons were raised and the regiment was renamed the British Columbia Horse. In 1912 the unit was renamed again as the 30th Regiment, British Columbia Horse. 1914 saw the formation of the Victoria Independent Squadron on Vancouver Island.

1st Hussars

The 1st Hussars is an armoured Primary Reserve regiment of the Canadian Forces, currently based in London, Ontario and Sarnia, Ontario. The 1st Hussars traces its roots to the formation of the St. Thomas Troop of Volunteer Militia Cavalry in March 1856 and the First Troop of Volunteer Militia Cavalry of London in July of the same year. In 1863, these units were redesignated the St. Thomas Troop of Cavalry and the London Troop of Cavalry, respectively. Both troops were put on active duty in southwestern Ontario in response to the Fenian raid of 1866, but neither had contact with the invading forces. Despite "1st" in the title, the regiment is not the most senior armoured unit. With the militia reorganization of 1872, the senior or only cavalry regiment within a Militia District adopted the numerical designation of that district. Southwestern Ontario comprised Military District No. 1, hence the original designation as the 1st Regiment of Cavalry. The unit was renamed 1st Hussars in 1892 and because a British mounted unit numbered "1" never existed, it was unnecessary to add a 'Canada' or 'Canadian' modifier. Following the Second World War, because of wartime and earlier conversion to armour of some more senior infantry regiments, the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps decided that seniority would be determined by date of birth, regardless of the Corps in which the unit was raised. Regular Force regiments take precedence, and seniority among themselves by date of birth. 1st Hussars is placed seventh in the order of seniority of militia armoured regiments.

The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)

The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) (RCAC) is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance (recce) regiment of the Canadian Forces; the regiment is subordinate to 39 Canadian Brigade Group of Land Force Western Area. Established in 1883, it is the oldest military unit in Vancouver, British Columbia. It parades at the Beatty Street Drill Hall at the corner of Dunsmuir and Beatty in Downtown Vancouver. The regiment has been variously designated as garrison artillery, rifles, infantry, and armoured, but has been reconnaissance since 1965. It has received forty battle honours in its history, and has been a formation of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps since 1942. On 1 June 1866, the Seymour Artillery Company was formed at New Westminster, British Columbia in preparation for Fenian raids. Irish nationalists had landed in San Francisco and were attempting to sail north to launch an attack on the British Empire. Many of the recruits had been members of the Royal Engineers detachment that established New Westminster as the capital of the new colony and built roads and surveyed the area under Captain Richard Moody. That detachment was disbanded in 1863, but most chose to stay and settle in the area, and subsequently enlisted when the call was made. The Fenian raid on BC never happened, but the nucleus of the British Columbia Regiment was in place.

Fort Garry Horse

The Fort Garry Horse is a Canadian Army Reserve Armoured Regiment based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is currently part of Land Force Western Area's 38 Canadian Brigade Group. The regiment was formed in 1912, as the 34th Regiment of Cavalry. In 1913 it was renamed 34th Fort Garry Horse. In 1914, a new armory was specially built on Maryland Street in Winnipeg. In the First World War, volunteers from the regiment helped form the 6th Battalion, CEF, later Canadian Cavalry Depot, then later The Fort Garry Horse for active service in France.

In 1949 the regiment was renamed The Fort Garry Horse (10th Armoured Regiment). In 1958 a Regular Force component, 1st Fort Garry Horse was formed the Militia was titled 2nd Fort Garry Horse. The titles were changed shortly afterward to The Fort Garry Horse and The Fort Garry Horse (M). In 1970 the Regular Force component was disbanded and the Militia regiment retained the title The Fort Garry Horse. In 2003, the regiment began hosting personnel to help create a new unit of the Canadian Military Engineers. It is planned that these personnel will eventually form 31 Field Engineer Squadron. The engineers in this unit have the distinction of being the only reservists in Canada to wear the black beret of the Armoured Corps with the cap badge of the Canadian Military Engineers.