According to defence expert Bryan Brulotte, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) faces a pivotal crossroads in 2025. As global rivalries intensify and international alliances face unprecedented strain, Brulotte contends that Canada's response must extend beyond financial investment. The core of military revitalization, he insists, lies in reclaiming the warrior ethos that historically defined the nation's service members.
A Legacy Forged in Conflict
Brulotte's analysis, published in the National Post, traces a proud lineage of Canadian military valour. From the battlefields of South Africa and the Somme to the D-Day landings at Normandy, the Korean hills, and the valleys of Afghanistan, Canadian soldiers have consistently demonstrated courage, discipline, and professionalism. The author emphasizes that the CAF's legacy was never about being the largest force, but about being the most capable and trustworthy, a reputation built as much on character as on firepower.
This foundational spirit, he writes, was the bedrock of Canada's fighting forces. It propelled the Canadian Corps to victory at Vimy Ridge, sustained the Royal 22nd Regiment in Flanders, and guided the Royal Canadian Navy through the perilous North Atlantic. It was a humble, unwavering sense of duty that asked only for the opportunity to serve and succeed.
Modern Threats Demand Timeless Values
The contemporary security landscape presents new and complex challenges. Brulotte points to the return of great-power competition, with adversaries vying for dominance in domains like space and cyberspace. He specifically highlights Russia's militarization of the Arctic and China's power projection across the Indo-Pacific, alongside rogue states weaponizing advanced technology.
In this volatile context, Brulotte argues that the CAF must rediscover the source of its historic global respect. This respect, he states, was not earned through bureaucracy or ideology, but through a professional ethos grounded in honour, courage, and excellence.
Rebuilding Starts with People, Not Hardware
The path to a renewed military is not paved solely with new ships, aircraft, or weapons. Brulotte makes a compelling case that true modernization begins with the people who serve and the values that shape them. A military is at its strongest, he asserts, when it is guided by timeless virtues:
- Loyalty to comrades
- Integrity in action
- Courage under fire
- Unwavering discipline
These principles are not relics of a bygone era; they form the indispensable moral foundation of an effective modern fighting force.
Brulotte clarifies that a warrior ethos is not about aggression or bravado. It is about purpose, endurance, and self-sacrifice. It means mastering difficult tasks, leading with confidence, and protecting the vulnerable. This ethos was as crucial in the trenches of Passchendaele as it is on today's digital battlefield.
The Critical Role of Leadership
The restoration of this essential character begins with leadership at every level. From corporals to generals, leaders must personify the values they expect from their subordinates. Brulotte calls for Canadian officers and non-commissioned officers to be forged not just in classrooms, but through demanding, realistic training that rigorously tests both body and mind.
Furthermore, the system must champion meritocracy. Promotion should be based on merit, initiative, and operational excellence. The profession of arms must reward those who can think clearly, make swift decisions, and act decisively in the face of adversity. For Bryan Brulotte, this cultural shift is the true key to reclaiming the Canadian Armed Forces' rightful place as a respected and capable institution on the world stage.
