Volume 32 Issue 7

The August 2025 issue of Esprit de Corps (Vol. 32, Issue 7) covers a wide range of stories and commentary centered on Canadian military affairs, defence policy, veterans’ advocacy, procurement, and historical retrospectives. Here’s a concise summary:

Summary
This issue explores the Canadian Armed Forces’ ceremonial roles, procurement initiatives, and defence policy shifts under PM Mark Carney. It questions the value of traditional duties like the King’s Mounted Guard, given Canada's strained military resources. Key features include a major CAF pay raise, limited DND budget cuts amid government-wide austerity, and updates on the Royal Canadian Air Force’s $18B Griffon replacement program. Spain’s S-80 submarine is pitched for Canada’s under-ice fleet. Veterans' issues take center stage, with Minister Jill McKnight engaging women veterans and calls to defend the Veterans Review and Appeal Board against criticism. Commentaries debate the 5% GDP defence target and Canada’s foreign policy posture under U.S. pressure. A grassroots veteran support event is spotlighted alongside profiles of overlooked Canadian female athletes. Historical articles delve into Captain Thomas G. Fuller’s WWII exploits and Korean War naval stories.

Volume 32 Issue 6

📰 Feature Highlights

1. PM Carney’s New Defence Directives

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney commits to spending 2% of GDP on defence immediately (not by 2035 as originally promised), injecting $62.7B annually.

  • $9.3B to be spent before April 2026, focused on personnel pay raises (20%), new equipment, improved infrastructure, recruitment, and cyber capabilities.

  • Shift toward European and diversified defence partnerships to reduce dependence on U.S. military procurement.

  • Talks underway to join Trump's controversial “Golden Dome” missile defence system.

2. Defence Industry Watch: CANSEC 2025

  • Focus on modern technologies and partnerships.

  • Articles highlight potential partnerships with countries like Türkiye to fill gaps in Canadian capabilities (UAVs, UGVs, tanks, Arctic defence systems, etc.).

3. Canadian Coast Guard Controversy

  • Conflicting reports on whether it will be transferred to DND control.

  • Initially denied by officials, but PMO later stated transfer to DND is forthcoming.

🗞️ News & Commentary

Awards & Recognition

  • Journalist David Pugliese receives the Charles Bury President’s Award for military journalism.

  • Contributor Col. (ret’d) Michel Drapeau receives an honorary doctorate.

Women Veterans & Advocacy

  • The “Invisible No More” report marks a turning point for women veterans' recognition.

  • A project led by Dr. Maya Eichler aims to implement its 42 recommendations via trauma-informed, inclusive research and policy.

Editorials & Opinions

  • Strong criticism of Canada’s warship naming (using rivers instead of heroes or historic battles).

  • Push for recognizing Pvt. Jesse Larochelle posthumously with the Canadian Victoria Cross.

  • Commentaries on CAF culture, procurement policy, military history, and NATO obligations.

🪖 Historical Features & Veterans’ Voices

War Stories & Reflections

  • Profiles of historic Canadian military figures, like WWII sniper Francis Pegahmagabow and Captain Thomas G. Fuller, the “Pirate of the Adriatic.”

  • Reflections from a retired sailor on the cultural shift in the Royal Canadian Navy.

Letters to the Editor

  • Emotional recollections from veterans about the Netherlands VE Day commemorations.

  • Arguments for nuclear disarmament and critiques of changes in military culture and uniforms.