M
MARITIME
In December, Vice-Admiral Mark Norman released the Executive Plan, his guidance and direction to the
Royal Canadian Navy for the next several years. Like most plans, it's a temporary marker in time. The
Commander says it was intended "to focus the team, to map out a series of inter-connected objectives and
get us going in the right direction." But it is also a reflection of a journey the RCN has been on as it evolves
through iterations of transformation and renewal and aligns its people and processes for a decade that will
introduce significant new capability.
There is considerable risk during this bridge period. Existing fleets of frigates and coastal defence vessels
are being modernized and upgraded to carry the load between now and when new Joint Support Ships
(JSS), Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) and Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) are delivered in the
early 2020s. Slippage in schedules on any one front could have ripple effects across the navy, the military
and the government. So the plan also reflects a hard look internally, at the organization and the business
processes that will be required to deliver what Norman calls "an incredible opportunity" to recapitalize the
navy. He recently spoke with editor Chris Thatcher about the plan and some of its implications.
12 JUNE/JULY 2014 www.vanguardcanada.com
ONE NAVY
Writing
a narrative
that resonates
Photo: Cpl Michael Bastien
