|
From the time he first sailed in a Canadian warship as
a member of the ship's company, until today as he
prepares to retire as the second highest-ranking
officer in the CF, VAdm Maddison has considered the
people around him to be the biggest asset to him, to
the CF and to the Canadian public the CF serves.
“The Navy and indeed the Canadian Forces is unique and
it is a family,” said VAdm Maddison. “That family is
not only those who are serving, but it includes their
families as well. I have never seen any other
organization in this country or in any other country
that produces that same quality of what you expect in
families like what we have in the Canadian Forces.”
“It doesn't matter what the job is,” he said. “It
takes people to get the work done and we have an awful
lot of exceptionally dedicated people who help us get
our job done. When I first joined, I thought this was
just in the Navy, but it is not. It's right across the
CF and that says a lot about us as Canadians.”
Looking back he has a host of wonderful stories from
his days at sea along with a number of lifetime
friendships that have developed and continue to thrive
to this day. One of his best fishing buddies was a
chief petty officer with him in the Adriatic Sea in
the early days of the Balkans conflict and each year
they tramp through the woods on their way to one of
the best trout pools in Atlantic Canada.
VAdm Maddison said when he moved into the DCDS |
spot from Chief of the Maritime Staff, or head of the
Navy where there is seldom a dull moment, in June 2001
he was sort of startled by the somewhat slower pace.
That all changed at 8:42 a.m. on September 11.
“We hit the ground running that morning and we have
not stopped since,” he said. “The days since 9/11 have
seen a fundamental change around the world, as well as
within the CF. The folks in the DCDS Group were and
are simply superb.”
The past four years have not only been busy, but they
have seen a significant shift within the CF community,
as the institution has transformed itself so it can
and will continue to remain relevant to the needs of
both Canada and the international arena. The recent
announcement of an additional $12.8 billion in funding
for the military over the next five years, VAdm
Maddison sees as highly positive.
“The Canadian people with their representatives in the
Canadian government have understood the necessity of
maintaining military forces in this country that are
relevant and credible. This demonstrates a high level
of respect and confidence in the people who wear our
uniform. What a wonderful feeling that is,” he said.
As he prepares to retire VAdm Maddison says he has no
firm plans for the future, but he and his wife, Linda,
have all kinds of plans and ideas,…”visiting family
and friends”, that will keep them busy for a few
months. Long-term he expects they will migrate back
east where their children now live.
“Time with the family.”
|
