LGen. Mike Rouleau appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

LGen. Mike Rouleau is the new Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, announced the Chief of the Defence Staff today as part of the 2020 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) General and Flag Officer (GOFO) senior appointments, promotions, and retirements.

Rouleau began his military career as an artillery officer in 1985. Over the last few decades, he has served with the Canadian Army, Special Forces, and strategic Staff portfolios at defence headquarters.

In 2018, he assumed command of Canadian Joint Operations Command, where he has served until today’s announcement.

“It will be a great honour for me to lead as second in command of the Canadian Armed Forces, an institution I deeply respect and is embodied by a military force and Defence Team that is second to none. I thank the Chief of the Defence Staff and others for their confidence, and will take this opportunity to further the work of my predecessors to move the organization forward by capitalizing on our strengths as a highly professional, capable fighting force that is empowered by the trust of Canadians,” said LGen. Rouleau in a statement.

LGen. Rouleau will be replaced by LGen. C.J. Coates as the new commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command.

Among the other notable appointments announced today by Gen. Jonathan Vance include several new positions such as:

• Deputy Commander Plans for the United States Air Force Space Command in Colorado Springs, which will be filled by BGen. K.G. Whale.
• Deputy Commander Support to oversee the daily Force Management and Force Sustainment activities of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. This position will be filled by Col. M. Gros-Jean
• And a one-year temporary assignment of Chief SSE Combat Systems Implementation, which will be taken by Rear-Admiral J.B. Zwick to oversee the examination of pan-domain Force Development, Force Generation, Corporate Management, and Command and Control for CAF Joint Combat Systems.

Additionally, MGen. A.M.T. Downes will retire from service as the Surgeon General and Commander of the Canadian Forces Health Services Group (CFHSG).

The positions will now be filled by J.G.M. Bilodeau will be appointed as the new Surgeon General, and Commodore R.L. Patterson will be appointed to Commander of the CFHSG, in Ottawa.

MGen. F.J. Allen will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General and appointed as Canadian Military Representative to NATO, in Brussels Belgium, replacing VAdm. D.C. Hawco.

Furthermore, Commodore G. Bernatchez will be promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral and will remain as the CAF Judge Advocate General, in Ottawa ON. BGen. R. Goodyear will be promoted to the rank of Major-General and will remain as Assistant Deputy Minister (Finance) Director General Budget, in Ottawa.

“The Canadian Armed Forces is proud of this year’s selected General and Flag Officers. These individuals have demonstrated tremendous ability to assume significant responsibilities and prevail in challenging circumstances, all while exuding exemplary leadership. To those leaving the Force, you are institutional leaders and we are grateful for your service to our country,” said Gen. Jonathan Vance in a statement.