Logo of the Ministry of National Defence

The Canadian Forces (French: Forces canadiennes) are the combined armed forces of Canada. The operational elements of Canadian Forces are: Maritime Command (MARCOM), or the navy; Land Force Command (LFC) or the army; Air Command (AIRCOM), or the air force. Canada Command (CANCOM), responsible for all operations within Canada, was formed on June 28, 2005. Canadian Expeditionary Force Command (CEFCOM), responsible for operations outside of Canada, and Canadian Special Operations Command (CSOFCOM), responsible for special forces and secret deployments of the Canadian Forces, which were both formed on February 1, 2006.

The Canadian Forces was formed on February 1, 1968, when the Canadian government merged the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force into a unified structure. Canada remains one of the few modern military forces in the world to be organized like this. Nowadays however, the names of the operational elements have been restored.

The Commander-in-Chief of Canadian Forces is Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. Also, the Governor-General of Canada, being the Queen's representative in Canada, has the powers of the Commander-in-Chief of Canadian Forces. Under the Westminster system's parliamentary custom and practice, however, the Prime Minister of Canada holds de facto decision-making power over the deployment and disposition of Canadian forces. The military head of the Canadian Forces is the Chief of Defence Staff (Canada). The Cabinet officer in charge of the Canadian Forces is the Minister of National Defence (MND), who answers to the Prime Minister.

The Canadian Forces are headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario. Canadian Forces serve in NATO exercises, and in support of United Nations peacekeeping efforts.

The history of the Canadian Forces is very extensively documented by Wikipedia and other internet sites.

Tri Service

The Tri-service badge of Her Majesty’s Canadian Armed Forces

On 25 April 1967 the Canadian House of Commons passed the third and final reading of the “Armed Forces Unification Bill” which abolished  the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force and replaced them with a single defence service known as the Canadian Armed Forces

Canadian Forces Command

HM Queen Elizabeth II

Commander in Chief

Governor General of Canada

Commander in Chief in the absence of the Queen

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF UNIT COMMENDATION

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Flag and Insignia

May 1, 2000

Vol. IV, p. 159

Blazon

Flag

Tierced in pale Azure, Gules and Bleu Celeste, the Crest of the Royal Arms of Canada (on a wreath Argent and Gules a lion passant guardant Or imperially crowned proper and holding in the dexter paw a maple leaf Gules);

Symbolism

The symbolism of these emblems will soon be available in both official languages (PRAFB)

CJOC

The Canadian Operational Support Command (CANOSCOM) was one of seven commands of the Canadian Forces from 2006 to 2012. The command was replaced by the Canadian Joint Operations Command in October 2012. As a separate command, CANOSCOM provided 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.

CANADIAN OPERATIONAL SUPPORT COMMAND

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Badge

February 15, 2007

Vol. V, p. 110

Blazon

Badge:

Tierced in pairle Azure, Gules and Bleu Celeste, in chief a terrestrial globe, issuant from the base three maple leaves conjoined on one stem Or;

Motto: CUM HONORE SUSTINEMUS (When we Honor)

Symbolism

Badge: The three-part division of the field symbolizes the three environments of the Canadian Forces – sea, land and air – using the colours traditionally associated with them. The globe highlights the Command's mission, which is to provide effective and efficient operational support to all operations, whether domestic, continental or expeditionary. The three maple leaves on one stem represents service to Canada and the support and sustainment provided to other Canadian Forces Commands. (PRAFB)

Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) is responsible for conducting full-spectrum Canadian Armed Forces operations at home, on the continent of North America, and around the world. With its integrated command-and-control structure, CJOC directs these operations from their earliest planning stages through to mission closeout, and ensures that national strategic goals are achieved.

CANADIAN JOINT OPERATIONS COMMAND

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Badge

September 20, 2012

Vol. VI, p. 184

Blazon

Badge:

Tierced in pale Azure Gules and Bleu Céleste, a fouled anchor Or surmounted by two crusader’s swords in saltire proper and an eagle volant affronty head to the sinister Or;

Motto: UNANIMI CUM RATIONE (United in purpose)

Symbolism

Badge: The colours of the background represent the three environments of the Canadian Forces, namely sea, land and air. The central device is composed of elements from the badge of the Canadian Forces symbolizing these three environments. (PRAFB)

Canadian Forces Military Police

The Canadian Military Police Branch can trace its roots to the formation of the Canadian Military Police Corps (CMPC), which was authorized on September 15, 1917, by Militia General Orders 93 & 94.

CMPC cap badge

CMPC Officers badge

The initial amalgamation of all police and security elements of the CF was first effected in October 1964 by the formation of the Directorate of Security at Canadian Forces Headquarters. With the introduction of the forces Functional Command structure in April 1966, the security staffs and PMs in existing single service command organizations were eliminated, the command and base security officers were appointed at the newly formed HQs and the various investigative elements of the Services were amalgamated into a single organization called the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) The new Branch was  eventually to be named the Security Branch, which officially was created on 1 February 1968.

With the formation of a unified Branch came a need to replace the previous corps and service badges and the use of the Indian Totemic Thunderbird as the symbol for the Security Branch arose out of the recommendations of the Insignia Steering Group appointed by DGI on 15 May 1967.

Operational Patrol Dress shoulder and car  patch

of the CF Military Police

MILITARY POLICE BRANCH

Ottawa, Ontario

Confirmation of the blazon of a Badge

September 15, 2010

Vol. V, p. 545

Blazon

Badge:

Argent a thunderbird in West Coast First Nations style displayed proper;

Symbolism

Badge: In the mythology of the First Nations of the West Coast, the thunderbird is a symbol of supremacy and power. It is also a protective spirit, one who gives wise counsel and guards the community against evil and misfortune.

CANADIAN FORCES MILITARY POLICE GROUP

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Badge

July 15, 2014

Vol. VI, p. 370

Blazon

Arms: Sable a thunderbird in West Coast First Nations style displayed proper;

Motto: DISCIPLINARE PER EXEMPLUM (To discipline by example)

Symbolism

Arms: In the mythology of the First Nations of the West Coast, the thunderbird is a symbol of supremacy and power. It is also a protective spirit, one who gives wise counsel and guards the community against evil and misfortune. The black background symbolizes authority.

The Canadian Forces Military Police Group (CF MP Gp) is a formation of the Canadian Armed Forces that groups Military Police members employed in policing duties across the Canadian Armed Forces

MILITARY SECURITY GUARD UNIT

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Badge

April 1, 1997

Vol. III, p. 383

Blazon

Badge: Within an annulus Sable inscribed with the unit’s name in letters Or a globe Azure displaying lines of latitude and longitude Or charged with a representation of a watchman figure from the Fox Warren totem pole in the National Museum of Civilization also Or garnished Sable and Gules;

Motto: SECURITAS PER VIGILANTIAM, meaning "Security through vigilance";

Symbolism

In general, the symbolism of emblems prior to 2000 does not exist in an appropriate format for the online Register.

The Military Security Guard Unit was declared an official unit of the CF in 1990, and was officially renamed the Military Police Security Service (MPSS) in 2009.

MILITARY POLICE SECURITY SERVICE

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Badge

November 15, 2011

Vol. VI, p. 81

Blazon

Badge: Azure on lines of latitude and longitude the figure of a Haida watchman Or embellished Sable and Gules, all within an annulus Sable inscribed MILITARY POLICE SECURITY SERVICE • SERVICE DE SÉCURITÉ DE LA POLICE MILITAIRE in letters Or;

Motto: SECURITAS PER VIGILANTIAM (Security through vigilance)

Symbolism     

Badge: The globe represents the mandate of the unit to protect Canadian diplomatic missions abroad. In Haida totem poles, the watchman figure is often seated at the top to protect the adjacent long house. Thus, the watchman figure represents the important security work that the service performs.

Army

The name “Canadian Army” only came into official use beginning in 1940; from before Confederation until the Second World War the official designation was “Canadian Militia”.

Canadian Army Emblem, 1957

Chief of General Staff

Army Commander

On 1 April 1966, as a precursor to the unification of Canada's armed services, all land forces were placed under a new entity called Mobile Command.

MOBILE COMMAND

Ottawa, Ontario

Confirmation of the blazon of a Flag

March 20, 2008

Vol. V, p. 244

Blazon

Flag: Gules a lozenge each side with one indent Argent charged with a maple leaf Gules on four arrowheads in cross Azure within an orle Gules, on a canton fimbriated Argent the National Flag of Canada;

Symbolism

Flag: The flag shown here was chosen with 14 other flags to be included on a heritage poster showing a selection of military flags of Canada. It is either still in use, or is a historical flag in the sense that it was in use in what is now Canada. These 15 fifteen flags, selected from among dozens of others, do not have a written symbolism. (PRAFB)

Although the official titles, Mobile Command, and later Land Force Command, were used from February 1968 to August 2011, “Canadian Army” continued to be unofficially used to refer to the ground forces of Canada's military, much as it has been from Confederation in 1867 to the present. The term was often even used in official military publications, for example in recruiting literature and the official newspaper of the Canadian Forces, The Maple Leaf. On August 16, 2011, the title, "Canadian Army", was officially restored, once again bringing the official designation in line with common and historical usage

Mobile Command was renamed Land Force Command in the 1993 reorganization of the Canadian Armed Forces.

LAND FORCE COMMAND

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Badge

March 1, 1998

Vol. III, p. 400

Blazon:

Badge: Upon two Crusader’s swords in saltire Argent hilts and pommels Or a maple leaf Gules;

Motto: VIGILAMUS PRO TE;

Symbolism:

Badge: The Crusader’s swords symbolize the military heritage of Land Force Command, while the maple leaf represents loyalty to Canada.

Motto: Meaning "We stand on guard for thee", a line from the National Anthem. (PRAFB)

LAND FORCE COMMAND

Ottawa, Ontario

Confirmation of the blazon of a Flag

March 20, 2008

Vol. V, p. 245

Blazon

Flag

Argent in the fly two swords in saltire proper hilts and pommels Or surmounted by a maple leaf Gules veined Or, a canton of the National Flag of Canada;

Symbolism

Flag

The flag shown here was chosen with 14 other flags to be included on a heritage poster showing a selection of military flags of Canada. It is either still in use, or is a historical flag in the sense that it was in use in what is now Canada. These 15 fifteen flags, selected from among dozens of others, do not have a written symbolism. (PRAFB)

Land Force Command flag 1998–2013. Still in official use pending the adoption of the Canadian Army command flag.

In August 2011, the Land Force Command was reverted to the pre-1968 title of the Canadian Army. A new badge was adopted in 2013

CANADIAN ARMY

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Badge

March 25,  2013

Vol. VI, p. 212

Blazon

Badge: Two swords in saltire Argent hilts and pommels Or surmounted by three maple leaves conjoined on one stem Gules;

Motto: VIGILAMUS PRO TE

Symbolism

Badge: The crossed swords symbolize the military history of the Canadian Army. They also indicate that the members of the Canadian Army work as a team in the defence of Canada. The three maple leaves conjoined on one stem, taken from the Royal Arms of Canada, represent service to the Sovereign and to Canada, as well as the heritage of the Canadian Army.

Motto: This Latin phrase means “We stand on guard for thee”. (PRAFB)

Canadian Army command flag

The command flag was approved in 2013 with the change from Land Force Command to Canadian Army. It still has not been produced or adopted.

Æ For the badges of the regiments &c see Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges

Navy

Founded in 1910 as the Naval Service of Canada and given Royal Sanction in 1911, the RCN was placed under the Department of National Defence in 1923, and amalgamated with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army to form the unified Canadian Forces in 1968, after which it was known as "Maritime Command" until 2011. The Canadian navy was officially known as Canadian Forces Maritime Command (MARCOM), however, unofficially MARCOM was represented as the “Canadian Navy” and maintained many traditions of its predecessor. On August 16, 2011, the government renamed Maritime Command the "Royal Canadian Navy."

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) was the navy of Canada from 1911 until 1968 when the three Canadian armed services were unified to form the “Canadian Forces.”  

The naval force was known as Maritime Command until 2011, when the environmental command was renamed as the Royal Canadian Navy.

Naval Board 1958-present

Canadian Forces Maritime Command (MARCOM) was the naval branch of the Canadian Armed Forces. As the naval branch, it is also the senior branch or service of the Canadian Armed Forces, following the tradition that comes from the Royal Navy.

MARCOM was headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario with the Atlantic headquarters (MARLANTHQ) based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the Pacific headquarters (MARPACHQ) based in Esquimalt, British Columbia. The headquarters of the Naval Reserve is based in Quebec City, Quebec.

Badge 1968-2011

ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY

Ottawa, Ontario

Registration of a Badge

November 15, 2011

Vol. VI, p. 76

Blazon

Badge: Azure a fouled anchor surmounted by an eagle volant affronty head to the sinister Or;

Motto: READY AYE READY;

Symbolism

Badge: Blue refers to the sea. The anchor and the eagle symbolize the cooperation between the sea and air elements. (PRAFB)

Cap Badge

JACK

On 3 March 1911, the RCN was authorized the use of the White Ensign, which remained the main identifying flag of the navy for the next 54 years. At the same time, the Canadian Blue Ensign was designated the jack of the RCN. However, because naval tradition dictates that the jack is worn at the ship's bow only when moored or on "dress ship" occasions, HMC ships normally had no distinctly Canadian flags when under way, the White Ensign being identical to the Royal Navy's ensign.

Jack 1921-1957

Jack 1957-1968

Funnel with maple leaf

of  HMCS Ontario (1944-’58)

Because of this, a tradition developed of painting a green maple leaf on ships' funnels to mark the ship as Canadian.

When British and Canadian foreign policies began to diverge in the 1950s (highlighted by the two countries' different roles in the Suez Crisis), having an ensign identical to the Royal Navy's became less satisfactory. In 1961, a policy of wearing the Canadian Red Ensign from the masthead (in addition to the Canadian Blue Ensign at the jack staff when appropriate, and the White Ensign at the ensign staff) was established. On 15 February 1965, the White, Blue, and Red ensigns were all replaced by the new National Flag of Canada, the Maple Leaf flag. [1]

Emblem 1968

CANADIAN NAVAL JACK AND MARITIME COMMAND FLAG

Ottawa, Ontario

Confirmation of the blazon of a Flag

March 20, 2008

Vol. V, p. 242

Blazon

Flag

Argent in the fly the central device of the Maritime Command badge ensigned by a naval coronet Azure, a canton of the National Flag of Canada. (PRAFB)

Between 1968 and 2013, the Canadian navy used this as a jack while it was known as the Canadian Forces Maritime Command (MARCOM), but the flag was not used as an ensign on warships.

In 2013, however, once again renamed the “Royal Canadian Navy,” they officially reverted to the Commonwealth tradition of wearing the white ensign on their warships (with the national flag in the canton), and using the national flag as a jack. For years this absence of a distinctive Canadian Naval Ensign had bothered Canadian naval traditionists, and with the increased Canadian naval participation, particularly in international operations, that have taken place since the end of the Cold War, they felt the need for a clear national naval identity.

Æ For the Badges of Canadian Navy ships and services: Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges

and

Online Badge Collection on http://readyayeready.com/badges/index.php

Air Force

The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force (CAF). In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and granted the royal title by King George V. The Canadian government finally approved of the title and on April 1, 1924, The Royal Canadian Air Force became official. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968. Prior attempts at forming an air force for Canada were the Canadian Aviation Corps that was attached to the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and a two-squadron Canadian Air Force that was attached to the Royal Air Force.

Canadian Forces Air Command (AIRCOM) was the air force branch of the Canadian Armed Forces. formed February 1, 1968. when it was merged with the Army and the Royal Canadian Navy to form the Canadian Armed Forces.

On 16 August 2011, the Canadian government announced that the name "Air Command" was being changed to the air force's original historic name: Royal Canadian Air Force. The change was made to better reflect Canada's military heritage and align Canada with other key Commonwealth countries whose militaries use the royal designation

Cap and collars were issued with or without the motto (Sic Itur Ad Astra). The initial issue of these badges, designed and available in late 1918 or early 1919, was without the motto. In early 1920 the insignia began incorporating the motto into a scroll at the bottom of both cap and collar badges.

CAF officers cap  badge, 1919

Badge: A maple leaf charged with the cypher CAF, crowned with the St Edward’s crown and surrounded by two wings

CAF officers cap badge, 1920

Badge: The same

Motto: SIC ITUR AD ASTRA (Such is the pathway to the stars)

Pilot wings 1918-’19

First authorized and issued in late 1918 or early 1919, this pilots’ double wing was made in a style similar to the officer's cap and collar badges. It consisted of a copper back with overlays of two silver wings with a silver “CAF” monogram superimposed over a copper maple leaf. [2]

RCAF WWII cap badge

RCAF WWII wings

RCAF badge 1949

Badge: Bleu Celeste an eagle volant affronté the head to the sinister Or;

Motto: PER ARDUA AD ASTRA (By Effort to the Stars)

Crown: Royal crown

Title: ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE

RCAF badge 1957-‘68

Badge, motto and title: The same but with St Edward’s  Crown

CFAC badge 1968-2011

Badge, crown and motto:  the same but title replaced by a garland of maple leafs

Wings

ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE

Ottawa, Ontario

Registration of a Badge

November 15, 2011

Vol. VI, p. 78

Blazon

Badge: Azure issuant from a coronet of maple leaves within vols, its rim set with mullets of six points, an eagle rising contourné Or;

Motto: SIC ITUR AD ASTRA (Such is the pathway to the stars)

Symbolism

Badge: Blue represents the sea and the sky, while the eagle rising from the coronet symbolizes the Air Force as a command in the Canadian Forces. (PRAFB)

ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Badge

March 15, 2013

Vol. VI, p. 219

Blazon

Badge: Bleu Celeste an eagle volant affronté the head to the sinister Or;

Motto: SIC ITUR AD ASTRA (Such is the pathway to the stars)

Symbolism

Badge: The light blue colour and the eagle have been associated with the Royal Canadian Air Force for many decades. (PRAFB)

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Ensign 1941-1968

The ensign of the Royal Canadian Air Force is based on the ensign of the British Royal Air Force (RAF), a light (sky) blue ensign, but with the Canadian Maple Leaf placed within the roundel. Until the Second World War the RAF ensign was used by the RCAF; the RCAF ensign with the maple leaf roundel began to be used in 1941.

Royal Canadian Air Force Ensign 1941-‘65

Blazon

Flag: Bleu celeste in the fly a hurt charged with a plate bearing a maple leaf Gules, a canton of the Royal Union Flag

Royal Canadian Air Force and  Canadian Forces Air Command Ensign 1965-present

Æ Badges of squadrons & and air force services in: Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges.

Roundels

1945-1946

1946-1965

1965-present

CANCOM

CANADA COMMAND

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Badge

January 15, 2007

Vol. V, p. 107

Blazon

Badge: Per pale erablé Argent and Gules, dexter a dragon rampant sinister a wyvern erect both respectant counterchanged.

Motto: PROTEGIMUS ET DEFENDIMUS (We protect and we defend)

Symbolism

Badge:The dragon represents power, wisdom and shrewdness. The wyvern represents valour and protection. Red and white are the national colours of Canada, and the maple leaves in the division line symbolize service to Canada and military fortitude. (PRAFB)

CEFCOM

CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE COMMAND

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Badge

April 15, 2008

Vol. V, p. 277

Blazon

Badge: Sable a falcon wings elevated and addorsed, its dexter claw resting on a terrestrial globe Argent;

Motto: UNANIMI CUM RATIONE (United in purpose)

Symbolism

Badge: The black background represents military fortitude and the notions of action and combat. The globe symbolizes CEFCOM’s area of operations. The falcon represents someone who does not rest until the objective is achieved. (PRAFB)

CSOFCOM

CANADIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES COMMAND

Ottawa, Ontario

Approval of a Badge

May 15, 2008

Vol. V, p. 285

Blazon

Badge: Gules a V-42 fighting knife proper;

Motto: VIAM INVENIEMUS (We shall find a way)

Symbolism

Badge:

The V-42 fighting knife, originally used by members of the Canadian-American First Special Service Force, represents the nature of Special Operations as conducted by CANSOFCOM: agile, stealthy and lethal; anywhere, any time. The red background represents Canada and is evocative of action, confidence, courage and vitality. (PRAFB)

Æ Most of the badges from: Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges (= PRAFB)