Soldiers,soldier stepping down

A sad day for the Military as one of the few real soldiers to make it to the top steps down. Most officers above the rank of Major are viewed by the troops as politicians looking for their next promotion, Hillier was a breath of fresh air. Not prone to boot-licking and political pandering, it's a surprise that he made it to the top. I regret that I had to retire a month before he took the position as Chief of Defence. Most of my career was spent under liberal governments who desperately tried to decimate our military. The troops have their pride back, let's hope that the next CDS is also a soldier, instead of a politician!

'I’m quite comfortable that I can leave on a high and leave hopefully enabling Canadian forces to carry on to much greater things'

Don Martin, National Post

His personal military mission accomplished, Gen. Rick Hillier will step aside as Canada's top soldier this summer.

Gen. Hillier will meet Prime Minister Stephen Harper Tuesday to formally announce his retirement plans after three years as the colourful Chief of Defence Staff.

Known for speaking his mind, often in politically incorrect dialects, Gen. Hillier insists he departure is entirely voluntary.

"If anything, the pressure was the other way to keep me around," he said in an interview.

With the Kandahar mission extended until 2011 and the purchase of heavy lift planes, upgraded tanks and helicopters, Gen. Hillier says it was a good time to go because it allows him to claim a legacy of reinforced pride inside the military.

"We've achieved the irreversible momentum that I wanted to have," Gen. Hillier told the National Post. "It's a transition to a whole different mode and I'm quite comfortable that I can leave on a high and leave hopefully enabling Canadian forces to carry on to much greater things."

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