Advertisement

Wanted: Someone to look after RCAF’s honorary colonels for $100k

Giving civilians honorary posts in the military is an age-old tradition, kind of like an honorary doctorate.

It's a recognition for a person's accomplishments or position. You get to wear a uniform but you don't get to command troops in battle or anything.

In Kentucky, for instance, honorary colonels are so thick on the ground (Colonel Sanders of fried chicken fame was one), they have their own organization dedicated to charitable works.

A number of British royals traditionally become colonel-in-chief of Canadian units. For instance, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth's husband, has been colonel-in-chief of the Royal Canadian Regiment since 1953. Her daughter, Princess Anne, is colonel-in-chief of the Royal Canadian Medical Service. And the Queen herself is captain-general of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.

Honorary colonels are a little different. Canadians from many walks of life are appointed to help strengthen ties between the military and Canadian society. They can be former soldiers or people who've achieved recognition in different fields.

[ Related: Rick Hansen Appointed Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Forces Joint Personnel Support Unit ]

Investment executive Blake Goldring, for example, is the Canadian Army's honorary colonel, appointed in 2011 and reappointed in January for another two years. Man-in-Motion Rick Hanson is honorary colonel of the Canadian Forces Joint Personnel Support Unit, which helps veterans and injured soldiers and their families.

The Royal Canadian Air Force has a platoon of honorary colonels, 75 in all, including hockey great Guy Lafleur and singer Sass Jordan, as well as former officers. Sen. Pamela Wallin was appointed an RCAF honorary colonel by then-defence minister Peter MacKay in 2008 but resigned last fall, a casualty of the Senate expenses scandal.

That still leaves the air force with quite a few honorary colonels, and apparently they need minding.

The National Post reports National Defence is looking for a a former officer to take on the job as liaison between the RCAF and the colonels.

The job's been around since the 1990s and air force spokesman Capt. Jean-Francois Lambert, told the Post it's traditionally given to a retired senior officer. The advisory position involves working with RCAF commander Lt.-Gen. Yvan Blondin and tending to the needs of the honorary colonels.

[ Related: Budget 2014: Military wings clipped again ]

“Obviously when you’re dealing [with honorary colonels] it’s better to have someone who has weight to their position,” said Lambert.

The deadline for applying is May 6.

But critics are crying "halt!"

The head of the Union of National Defence Employees told the Post the job will cost taxpayers more than $100,000 a year, including travel and expenses.

“What you have is a double standard,” John MacLennan said. “The department is preaching to us that they have to save money so they lay off kitchen staff and cleaners but no one thinks twice about putting a retired general or colonel back on the payroll.”

Liberal defence critic Joyce Murray said the job doesn't need to be farmed out to a superannuated officer.

“Surely to goodness someone from within the air force could be posted to that function?” she told the Post.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Investment executive Blake Goldring, for example, is the Canadian Army's honorary colonel, appointed in 2011 and reappointed in January for another two years. Man-in-Motion Rick Hanson is honorary colonel of the Canadian Forces Joint Personnel Support Unit, which helps veterans and injured soldiers and their families.