Mishall RehmanCanadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) welcomed its new commander this July.
LGen. Steve Boivin has assumed command of CJOC after a change of command ceremony was held on July 8 at His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Carleton in Ottawa. The ceremony was presided over by Gen. Wayne Eyre, the Chief of the Defence Staff.
“Thank you to Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie for a job extremely well done as Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command through three years of unprecedented international and domestic crises. I wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement. Congratulations to Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin on his appointment as Commander, CJOC.
“His significant background in operations and command has prepared him well to guide the Command during this time of increasing and constantly evolving threats, and I know he will continue to serve the country extremely well,” said CDS.
Outgoing Commander
LGen. Boivin takes over his new role from Commander Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie. Auchterlonie served as CJOC commander since 2021. The current commander is retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) after 37 years of service.
“Bravo Zulu to Lieutenant-General Boivin on assuming command of Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) and thank you to all I have served with while at CJOC. It has been a demanding, yet immensely rewarding three years as Commander, and I am extremely proud of all the work we have accomplished,” stated the former commander.
Commanding Operations Around the World
Boivin steps into the branch of the CAF that is responsible for planning, execution, support, and overall command of deployed Canadian military operations in Canada and around the world. Before commanding CJOC, Boivin served as Commander of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.
Boivin has 33 years of military experience to guide him in his role as commander of CJOC. Over the course of his career, he has served in the 3rd Battalion Royal 22nd Regiment (3 R22eR) in Valcartier, Quebec. From 1996 to 2002, he had the opportunity to serve as Platoon Commander, Company Second-in-Command, and Deputy Operations Officer.
Over the decades, Boivin has deployed to Haiti, East-Timor, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and multiple rotations to Afghanistan.
Notable Positions
Other notable positions Boivin has served in include commander of Joint Task Force 2 in 2013, Special Advisor in the Chief of the Defence Staff’s Office in 2016, and Deputy Commander of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command in 2018 before he assumed command in 2021.
“My appointment as Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) is an honour. I would like to thank the Minister of National Defence and Chief of Defence Staff for their confidence, and Vice-Admiral Auchterlonie for leaving things in such good stead. Together with the entire CJOC team, I look forward to serving Canada and Canadians through keeping us strong at home and engaged throughout the world,” said LGen. Boivin
