It is with a sense of great pride and humility that I assume command of our Navy as its 39th commander. It is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I recognize that this appointment carries with it an obligation to earn and maintain your trust each and every day. I will lead with integrity and fairness as we navigate the challenges ahead together. We must continue to foster a culture rooted in respect, inclusion and professionalism, where every member of our team (military, civilian, full-time and part-time) feels valued and empowered to contribute to our collective success.
In the summer of 2022, our Navy was emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and in a seemingly insurmountable personnel crisis. After four years of the bold and decisive leadership of Vice-Admiral Topshee, the tide has been turned as the RCN, in close collaboration with CMP, has innovated and modernized the way in which we attract and recruit into the Navy. Coupled with much needed modifications to our occupation structures and training system, for the first time in several decades there is cause for optimism on the people front. This situation remains precarious, but there are several positive indicators that demonstrate we are trending in the right direction and for that we owe Vice-Admiral Topshee a debt of gratitude as he fought incredibly hard for our Navy.
For this reason, my top priority will remain people as we continue to modernize and expand how we attract, recruit and train our personnel from street to fleet. Increasing our trained effective strength in order to properly crew our shore establishments and ships with trained officers and sailors while at the same time supporting the active delivery of the future fleet is the only path to building and sustaining a ready, resilient and relevant Navy.
Never before in my career have, I felt Canada needs our Navy more. Three oceans and vast coastlines, a more accessible Arctic garnering attention from both friend and foe, and an increasingly complex and contested maritime domain all demonstrate the need for a modern and flexible naval force with the right balance of crewed and uncrewed capabilities and in the right quantities. In the Canadian context, to safeguard our nation and our interests, mass matters, which is why I will continue to prioritize and advocate for a robust and balanced fleet mix of the right platforms as we have done with River class destroyer and the Canadian patrol submarine. If we build the Navy and the associated infrastructure and sustainment that we need to defend our country and continent, we build the Navy Canada needs to defend its interests anywhere in the world.
As we continue to actively deliver and introduce new ships and capability to our Navy, we must remain ready to fight with what we have today. Future combatants and submarines do not magically appear at the outset of conflict, which is why we must continue to invest in the Halifax-class to ensure it not only remains safe and seaworthy, but also a credible blue water ASW platform ready to fight tonight. Every time our ships proceed to sea, whether for force generation or force employment, the current state of the world demands that we be ready at all times to defend ourselves and our country. This is not an easy mindset to adopt, but it is one we must embrace. It also demands that we remain students of our profession – continually learning, studying our tradecraft, and evolving how we fight so that we are always prepared for the next challenge, not the last one.
To the officers, sailors and civilians that form our Navy team, I commit to leading with your needs in mind, balanced with the needs of our institution and our nation. I commit to advocating for Navy requirements and to telling your stories. Physical fitness and resilience are foundational to our effectiveness as a fighting force. As someone who has always found balance and strength through sport, I will continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining the physical and mental readiness required of our profession. I expect each of us to take ownership of this readiness – because our ability to fight and win at sea depends on it.
I also recognize that none of what we do is possible without the families and loved ones who support us – often at great personal sacrifice – and they will remain central to how we think about readiness and sustainability.
After 34 years in the Navy, I remain in awe of the level of commitment and dedication you all have to your Navy and your country, and the incredible things you do each and every day. The world is a tough place at the moment, but our future as a Navy is extremely bright, and leading you is both my honor and privilege.
Maximum flexibility and maximum effort.
Vice-Admiral Dan Charlebois,
39th Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
