General Rick Hillier CMM, MSC, CD (born 1955), was Canada's Chief of the Defence Staff – the highest ranking position in the Canadian Forces – from February 4, 2005 to July 1, 2008. On April 15, 2008, Hillier announced that he would retire on July 1, and was replaced on that date as CDS by Vice-chief of defense staff Walter Natynczyk [1]. On July 3, 2008, Hillier began a term as Chancellor of the Memorial University of Newfoundland, his alma mater.
Early years
Born and raised in Campbellton, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland, he graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is an honorary member of the Royal Military College of Canada, college number S148.citation needed
Early military career
He was posted to his first regiment, the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's) in Petawawa, Ontario, and subsequently to the Royal Canadian Dragoons in Lahr, Germany. He has also served as a staff officer at Force Mobile Command Headquarters at CFB St. Hubert in Montreal, and at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. He commanded 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG) in 1997-98, and (in 1998) as Deputy Commanding General of III Armoured Corps of the United States Army, at Fort Hood, Texas. In January 1998, as Commander 2 CMBG, he led Operation Recuperation, the Canadian Forces' intervention in the paralysing ice storm in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.
He was named Chief of the Land Staff, commanding the Canadian Army, on May 30, 2003.citation needed Previously, he had commanded the Multinational Division (Southwest) in Bosnia-Herzegovina. After serving as Chief of the Land Staff and before being appointed Chief of the Defence Staff, he commanded the NATO ISAF in Afghanistan from February 9 to August 12, 2004, bringing to this role his support for what is known as Canada's "3-D" approach to security – defence, diplomacy, and development.citation needed
Hillier is noted for his public calls for increased resources for the Canadian Forces.citation needed In 2003, when he was appointed Chief of the Land Staff, he said, "Any commander who would stand up here and say that we didn't need more soldiers should be tarred and feathered and rode out of town on a rail."citation needed He was believed to be referring to cutbacks made to the Canadian Forces in the mid-1990s.
Hillier as Chief of the Defence Staff
On February 4 2005, he became Chief of the Defence Staff. At the change-of-command ceremony he repeated his call, more broadly, for increased military funding. "In this country, we could probably not give enough resources to the men and women to do all the things that we ask them to do," he said, with Prime Minister Paul Martin and Defence Minister Bill Graham looking on. "But we can give them too little, and that is what we are now doing. Remember them in your budgets."citation needed His willingness to speak openly and on the record about the Canadian Forces' financial resources, and about the Defence budget in particular, distinguishes Hillier from previous Chiefs of the Defence Staff.citation needed
After his appointment, Hillier maintained a very high profile, frequently talking with the media and arguing his case for defence planning. He has been called the most prominent Chief of the Defence Staff in decades.citation needed
Resignation
On 15 April 2008, Hillier announced he would step down as CDS on 1 July 2008[2].
Hillier was subsequently appointed to the honourary post of chancellor of Memorial University, effective July 3, 2008. [3] He will succeed former federal cabinet minister John Crosbie, who held the post of chancellor until February 2008, when he became Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Hillier recently announced that he will be transitioning to the civilian workforce from a temporary office at the national law firm Gowlings.
Hillier and his wife, Joyce, have two sons, Chris and Steven, a daughter-in-law, Chris' wife, Caroline, and a grandson, Jack.citation needed
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