New Chief of Military Personnel Assumes Command

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb 20, 2013) - Major-General Dave Millar today assumed the role of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Chief of Military Personnel from Rear-Admiral Andrew Smith, who will become the Military Lead of the Defence Renewal Team.

"I wish to extend my most sincere gratitude to Rear-Admiral Smith for the outstanding work he has done during his tenure as Chief of Military Personnel and his contribution to improve the care provided to our ill and injured personnel," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. "I am confident in Major-General Millar''s past experience and abilities to continue the ongoing efforts in supporting our military personnel."

Major-General Millar has previously served as Commander of Joint Task Force North between 2008 and 2010 in Yellowknife, N.W.T., and more recently with the Privy Council Office in the Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat as a Director of Operations.

"The Canadian Armed Forces'' most valuable assets are its people, and we have a responsibility to care for and support them throughout their service careers. Over the last two and a half years Rear-Admiral Smith and his team have worked tirelessly to provide that care through a period of tremendous change and new challenges. Their task has been herculean, and for their dedication I thank them," said General Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff. "I also congratulate Major-General Millar on his appointment as Chief of Military Personnel. I know he will continue the excellent work of his predecessor, just as I know he will bring his own perspectives and experiences to bear as he and his team tackle that which lies ahead.

"I am extremely proud of the progress that has been made in how support our people in terms of care of the ill and injured, support to families, mental health awareness and treatment, the important element of honours and recognition and the modernization of the education system within the Canadian Armed Forces," said Rear-Admiral Smith. "I wish Major-General Millar and his team continued success as he assumes this key institutional leadership role."

As Chief of Military Personnel, Major-General Millar''s priorities will be to optimize selection, training and professional development, care for our people and their families, recognize their service and sacrifice, and enable the war fighter with critical mission support capabilities.

"It gives me great comfort to know that I am taking over the reins from Rear-Admiral Smith who has championed personnel issues and commanded the command with sincerity, compassion and conviction and hands over the command structured and poised to take on the next challenges ahead of us," said Major-General Millar. "I am thankful for the opportunity given to me to make a positive difference in Canadian Armed Forces members'' lives and careers, while also looking out for their families. We will continue to be a leader in the selection, development, and care of Canadian Armed Forces members through transformation, innovation and ingenuity."

The Chief of Military Personnel has functional authority for the management of CAF personnel and is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs to ensure the availability of the right person, with the right qualifications, in the right time at the right place, to accomplish CAF missions at home and abroad.