Vanguard Magazine

L LEADERSHIP 8 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 www.vanguardcanada.com O n July 17 2015, General Tom Lawson handed over the keys to the Cana- dian Armed Forces. General Jonathan Vance was appointed Canada's new Chief of the Defence Staff during a ceremony in Ottawa presided over by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada. General Lawson served in the Canadian Armed Forces for forty years, beginning his career as a fighter pilot on the CF-104 shortly after graduat- ing from the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. Towards the latter part of his career, Law- son moved up the ranks quickly, serving as Com- manding Officer of 412 (Transport) Squadron in Ottawa, Commander of 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, Ontario, Commandant of RMCC, and Deputy Commander North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD). Lawson was less outspoken than his CDS pre- decessors, General Walter Natynczyk and General Rick Hillier, and became Canada's top soldier at a difficult time, challenged with trimming the fat on an already lean organization while staring down a number of controversial procurement programs, most notably the F-35, which he supported. Lawson was a loyal company man, and it was per- haps this loyalty that tainted his reputation so close to the end of his career. Whether he personally did not believe that sexual assault was endemic in the military, or was ordered to downplay it will never be known for certain, but forty years of exemplary service should not disappear in the shadow of one (large and ugly) misstep. Throughout his time as CDS, Lawson shied away from the media spotlight, and rarely accept- ed requests for interviews. It is unclear why the General accepted the CBC's offer to appear on The National during those last few weeks of his career, but one could guess it was a last-ditch effort to re- pair his reputation before moving into retirement. That backfired. Horribly. Lawson could have shown leadership after Maclean's came forward with their expose; it was actually history repeating itself. Instead, he fum- bled the issue. But for all his faults, he deserved better from Canadians — many of whom had no idea just how much Lawson has sacrificed for this country. General Vance faces an equally daunting chal- lenge as CDS. After spending years climbing to the top of one very large pyramid, he now finds himself at the bottom of another, staring up at a 47-year-old greenhorn Defence Minister in full campaign mode. How Canada's new battle-tested General handles that is anyone's guess. Lawson deserved better from Canadians Change of Command: Lawson was less outspoken than his CDS predecessors, General Walter Natynczyk and General Rick Hillier, and became Canada's top soldier at a dicult time… by Vanguard Sta Despite his handling of the sexual assault crisis in the military, General Tom Lawson deserves more respect from Canadians. Credit: Richard Lawrence Photography

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