Thread by @MercedesGlobal

This pic below has gotten a lot of attention. I initially thought it was photo-shopped because Canadian troops do not hold their firearms like that on parade. I have been able to verify however these are in fact Canadian soldiers who marched in the Khalsa Day parade in TO #CAF

This is the picture in question that I thought was possibly fake #CAF

It is not normal to see soldiers carrying their guns "at the ready" instead of shouldered in a parade situation when they have firearms, so this struck me as very odd. This is how troops look on patrol not marching in downtown Toronto #CAF

So yesterday I asked the military if they could verify this happened and explain if this was normal and I was just missing something. Their response is unusually candid #CAF

The first question for the Army was "Is it common to have CAF Members march in public parades (not ceremonial parades) with C7s like that, mags in and without a muzzle plug?" #CAF

The Army says "No it is not" common for soldiers to march in public parades with there C7 rifles displayed this way, with magazines in and no muzzle plug #CAF

Army on how this happened if its not regs "Normally, weapons are not carried at such events. The decision to have personnel in full Fighting Order was made by the local commander and was not in keeping with the Canadian Armed Forces Manual of Drill and Ceremonial."

In other words, troops cannot carry their weapons like that out in public, it is against the rules #CAF

The military says that the Commander of 4 Cdn Div is following up with the unit and will be issuing orders that will prohibit troops from carrying weapons at similar events in the future. #CAF

"The Commander 4 Canadian Division is following up with the unit and is issuing additional direction to the entire division prohibiting the carriage of weapons at similar events." #CAF

The Army goes on to say that the ONLY time weapons are to be carried in pubic is on ceremonial parades or military demos like a tattoo #CAF

Question two for the Army was: is it common for troops to display their firearms as they are being carried here (many soldiers I talked to referred to it as their weapon being at the ready). The Army says "No. It is not common." #CAF

Q3 for the Army: has this happened at other similar public parades where the CAF marches like Pride for example. Army Answer: "It never happens at Pride or similar events because it is not appropriate. It was not appropriate in this instance either." #CAF

The Army goes on to say that the decision was made by the unit Commanding Officers who "authorized this in a misguided attempt to show a well-equipped CAF... Commander 4 Canadian Division is addressing this decision." In other words they are in trouble #CAF

Q4: the troops seem ot be walking out of formation AND walking with rifles. Does that follow regulation? Army A: "It is typical when marching in such parades to walk out of formation, but never carrying weapons." #CAF

Army "Any parade in which weapons are carried would have to adhere to the Canadian Armed Forces Manual of Drill and Ceremonial" and this one breaks those rules #CAF

So in short according to the Army they were: in the wrong formation, wrong uniforms, wrong kind of parade to have their weapons. Would have to be in formation, in a ceremonial parade (vs public civilian one) and have them shouldered #CAF

Minister Sajjan's office has reached out with comment for the story, Minister Sajjan says “Our government understands that diversity is our strength and is an essential factor in ensure successful missions, both at home and abroad..." (1/3)

Minister Sajjan “I know that the Canadian Armed Forces has made great strides in increasing diversity and inclusion in the ranks." (2/3)

Minister Sajjan "While the intentions to participate in this event were good, the choice that was made was inappropriate. I know that the Commander of 4th division and other commanders will take appropriate action to ensure that something like this never happens again.” #CAF

ICYMI here is the online piece about the soldiers in the Khalsa Day parade with weapons at the ready: globalnews.ca/news/5223262/c… #cdnpoli #CAF