The Editor,
Re: "Be loyal to the Royal," Letters, Aug. 24.
Mr. Orrick's letter was an excellent explanation of how unification of the three forces meant so much more than a name change and a standardized uniform.
There is an old saying that comes to mind, "Ya had to be there." I don't think anyone can be expected to understand the impact unification had on all three services unless, of course, you served in one of those forces before, during and after integration was implemented.
I believe Prime Minister Trudeau and the Defense Minister Hellyer thought it was a cost saving measure while at the same time, keeping up our "NATO commitments" - how wrong they were.
When the powers that be made their illfated decision back then, it almost "deepsixed" the RCN, not to mention the impact it had on the RCAF and the Canadian Army.
In many ways, it was the beginning of the end. Enrolment plummeted. Bases were closed. Senior personnel of all ranks left, taking years of training and expertise with them.
And those of us left had to try and make the integration thing work. Mr. Orrick gave some fine examples on how ridiculous the whole concept was.
I was a radio operator back then and we always seemed woefully behind our allies with our out-dated equipment.
We constantly amazed our American friends with our ability to do more than get the job done. We learned to make do with less.
We also knew how to "cannibalize" to keep the old out-dated equipment going (much of it was WWII vintage!)
Other branches of the service had to do the same. The onset of integration did not improve this situation. If anything, it only made things worse.
Those of us who remained until the end of our careers look back on that time as one of the worst (peacetime) decisions ever made. It was devastating to the morale, pride, purpose and self-esteem of all three services.
I am not sure what the young men and women think about going back to the "Royal" name, however I am reasonably sure many of them may prefer the title that reflects the service of their choice.
Finally, it should not be seen as taking a step backward as it is only rectifying something that should not have happened in the first place.
To Prime Minister Harper and Defence Minister McKay, "Bravo Zulu."
D. Weston
Richmond
