Topic: Petition to reinstate the RCN and RCAF

[Should we bring back the RCN and RCAF?]

Should we bring back the RCN and RCAF?

Yes

No

[FSTO]

link: http://themonarchist.blogspot.com/2007/04/petition-to-parliament-to-reinstate.html

We already call ourselves the Canadian Navy, why not return to RCN? The army has their RCR, R22R, RCD, etc.

Discuss pros and cons.

[hoist-monkey]

I am all for tradition, we call our ships HMCS (Her Majesty's Canadian Ship).
Officers hold a commission from Queen Elizabeth.
The Army has the RCD, RCR, 22eR, plus all the reserve units with "Royal" in their names.

I don't think I would like to sail on a ship called CSS Halifax or whatever, just doesn't sound right.

I don't see it happening though, just the cost of changing the infrastructure, letterhead and everything else that goes with it.

My 2 cents for what it's worth.

[Ex-Dragoon]

Poll added

[Freddy G]

link: http://themonarchist.blogspot.com/2007/04/petition-to-parliament-to-reinstate.html

We already call ourselves the Canadian Navy, why not return to RCN? The army has their RCR, R22R, RCD, etc.

Discuss pros and cons.

Those are two different things. The Army isn't the Royal Canadian Army, either. Why would we need to be the Royal Canadian Navy?

Our ships are all, as was pointed out, Her Majesty's Canadian Ships, which is basically the same as being "Royal." As for the Air Force, I don't recall hearing their units being called anything but 88th Squadron or the like.

Sure, it'd be nice to be the Royal Canadian Navy, but it really doesn't change all that much. We got unified forty years ago and we're still going strong; if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[SweetNavyJustice]

For me, I enjoy the mix of the two. 

By calling ourselves the Canadian Navy, Army, Airforce we show our distinctness as Canadians whereas having our ships called HMCS, and batallions like the RCR reminds us of our roots. 

I wouldn't like to see the names change back. 

[Loachman]

There is no "th" at the end of our Squadron designations. Historically, the correct designation would be "No. 400 Squadron", but we've long dropped the "No."

Unit designations and ships' names have nothing to do with the service title anyway.

The Army was always just the "Canadian Army", just as the British Army is the British Army. Neither ever had the Royal designation, unlike their respective navies and air forces.

An Act of Parliament would be required to change this, as there is only one service under the NDA, and I don't see that occurring.

I'd vote "yes" ONLY if Tac Hel were split off from the RCAF and put back into the Army from whence it came and where it naturally and rightfully belongs.

[sledge]

I like the idea personally. Maritime Command just does not have the same feel as RCN.  I do think you would have to change the NDA as the army was originally called Mobile command after unification, and I have not seen that term used in years.

[Thorvald]

Those are two different things. The Army isn't the Royal Canadian Army, either. Why would we need to be the Royal Canadian Navy?

Well at least we still have the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps :-)

[Michael O'Leary [5]]

... their RCR....

The Army has the RCD, RCR, 22eR, ....

... like the RCR ....

Since the subject of the thread is organization titles, I would be remiss not to point out that the correct short title for The Royal Canadian Regiment is "The RCR".

http://thercr.ca/customs_traditions/the_definitive_article.htm

[FSTO]

I like the idea personally. Maritime Command just does not have the same feel as RCN.  I do think you would have to change the NDA as the army was originally called Mobile command after unification, and I have not seen that term used in years.

If I was in charge of the Navy I would just start calling my command the Royal Canadian Navy and dare the politico's (if they even noticed) to force me to change. Obviously the Army did the same thing once the higher ups decided that Mobile Command sounded incredibly stupid.
FYI, I was recently on a course in San Diego and my certificate stated that I was from the RCN, evidently the Americans (and many others) still regard us as the Royal Canadian Navy.

[warspite]

Although still a civilian, I say Royal Canadian Navy for the following reasons:
1. Sounds professional
2. Sounds better than maritime command
3. Respects our country's heritage
Although in a practical sense it would make no difference. And it would cost money to redo letterheadds etc, ( but how much money does the government spend on nothing anyway's?). Personally I would rather like to say I serve in the Royal Canadian Navy, but asll in all its a matter of preference when you get down to it.

[whiskey601]

I voted "no". The RCN is "dead" to the younger sailors in the fleet, who happen to also be the future of the fleet. I would not for one minute accept that reverting back to that tri-service force structure would somehow be good for morale in the Navy. Only more money, better sea-shore ratio's and modern equipment will do that.

There was much discontent in the RCN prior to unification that was partly based on the attitude from the senior ranks and officers which developed from the aura of the RCN. In the 1980's, many of the most backwards and dim witted dinosaurs in the Navy were PO's and CPO's who were LS and AB's when the RCN existed. Don't get me wrong, the RCN had its good features as well, but IMO it would not be worth reverting back to.    

[RangerRay]

Dang straights we should! 

[Chubbard]

If the Canadian navy were to start using that term as its legal name, replacing MARCOM, then the Royal designation would return with it.
 
From Wikipedia:

Since the Royal designation of the Canadian Navy was executed by a Royal Proclamation which has never been revoked, the Canadian Government and the Canadian Forces will be required to resume usage of the expression “Royal Canadian Navy”, if the expression “Canadian Navy” is used in any official capacity,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Canadian_Navy

[FSTO]

I voted "no". The RCN is "dead" to the younger sailors in the fleet, who happen to also be the future of the fleet. I would not for one minute accept that reverting back to that tri-service force structure would somehow be good for morale in the Navy. Only more money, better sea-shore ratio's and modern equipment will do that.

There was much discontent in the RCN prior to unification that was partly based on the attitude from the senior ranks and officers which developed from the aura of the RCN. In the 1980's, many of the most backwards and dim witted dinosaurs in the Navy were PO's and CPO's who were LS and AB's when the RCN existed. Don't get me wrong, the RCN had its good features as well, but IMO it would not be worth reverting back to.    

Woa there buddy. The petition is not to return to the tri-service, it is only to change the name. Nothing structural would change.