Jonathan Vance
Jonathan Vance | |
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.jpg) Vance in 2018 | |
| Birth name | Jonathan Holbert Vance |
| Nickname(s) | Jon |
| Born | January 3, 1964 Kingston, Ontario, Canada |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service | Canadian Army |
| Years of service | 1982–2021 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | |
| Battles / wars | War in Afghanistan Military intervention against ISIL |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of Military Merit Meritorious Service Cross Canadian Forces Decoration |
| Alma mater | Royal Roads Military College (BA) Royal Military College of Canada (MA) |
| Spouse(s) | Kerry Vance[1] |
General Jonathan Holbert Vance CMM MSC CD (born January 3, 1964) is a retired Canadian Forces officer who served as a general in the Canadian Army. Vance was the chief of the Defence Staff from 2015 to 2021.
Early life and education
Vance was born on January 3, 1964 in Kingston, Ontario.[2] At the age of 13, while his father Jack Vance—a Canadian Forces officer—was posted in Lahr, Germany, he joined the Army Cadets.[3]
Vance himself went on to join the Canadian Forces in 1982, attending the Royal Roads Military College where he obtained a bachelor of arts (BA) in military and strategic studies in 1986.[3] He also holds a master of arts (MA) degree in war studies from the Royal Military College of Canada.[3]
Military career
Upon graduation in 1986, Vance was commissioned in Force Mobile Command as an infantry officer with The Royal Canadian Regiment.[4] His father, Jack, was serving as the vice chief of the Defence Staff when he was commissioned.[5]
He served as deputy commander of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples, and commander of the Canadian Task Force in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010.[6][7] He went on to be commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command in September 2014.
Chief of the Defence Staff
On April 27, 2015, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Vance had been selected as the new chief of the Defence Staff.[6][5][8] He formally succeeded General Thomas J. Lawson in the role following a transfer of command ceremony held on July 17, 2015.[9]
Retirement
On July 23, 2020, Vance announced his intention to retire as chief of Defence Staff after 5 years in office and will serve until his replacement is named. Despite being a potential candidate for an upcoming vacancy as chairman of the NATO Military Committee, the federal government announced its intention not to pursue the competition.[10]
On December 23, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Vance would be succeeded by Vice Admiral Art McDonald as Chief of the Defence Staff, with the change of command held on January 14, 2021.[11]
Misconduct allegations
Shortly following his retirement, a report emerged detailing inappropriate behaviour from Vance towards two female subordinates,[12] possibly violating "directives that govern personal relationships and such actions might contravene provisions in the National Defence Act (NDA) that relate to good order and discipline."[13]
Following the allegations, an investigation into Vance's conduct was launched by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, a unit of the Military Police.[14] Additionally, the House of Commons defence committee voted to study the matter,[15] and the Department of National Defence committed to an external probe into Vance, which has since expanded to "also deal with rising concerns that the issue of sexual misconduct by the senior ranks could be a systemic issue in the Canadian Armed Forces".[16]
Family
His father, Jack Vance, was a Canadian lieutenant-general who had been the vice chief of Defence Staff in 1985.[17]
Awards and decorations
Vance has received the following orders and decorations during his military career:
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| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
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Order of Military Merit (CMM) | |
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Meritorious Service Cross (MSC) |
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General Campaign Star |
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Special Service Medal |
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Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal | |
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UNPROFOR | |
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Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal |
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Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal |
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Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) |
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Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour |
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Order of Viesturs, First Class |
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Commander of the National Order of the Star of Romania |
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- Vance has received the Canadian Forces Parachutist Badge
- By virtue of his position, he served as an aide-de-camp to the governor general of Canada, and as such he wore the gold aiguillette to denote this
References
- ^ General, The Office of the Secretary to the Governor. "Vance, Jonathan Holbert [Individual]". reg.gg.ca. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- ^ "General Jonathan Vance". NATO. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ a b c Bussière, Michael (November 2, 2020). "General Jonathan Vance — Canada's transformative general says adieu". Ottawa Life.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Lee Berthiaume. "All eyes on new commander as military faces significant challenges". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "Lt.-Gen. Jonathan Vance appointed next chief of defence staff". CBC News. April 27, 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Afghan vet Jonathan Vance eyed for top general post". thestar.com. April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gen. Jonathan Vance becomes chief of defence staff, vows to tackle harassment". cbc.ca. July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ Canada, Service (April 27, 2015). "Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces the upcoming appointment of the new Chief of the Defence Staff". gcnws. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Brewster, Murray (July 17, 2015). "'It must stop now': New top soldier vows to end sexual misconduct". CTVNews. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Brewester, Murray (July 23, 2020). "Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff, announces retirement". CBC News. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
- ^ "Top military job for New Waterford man". Chronicle Herald. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Former top soldier Gen. Jonathan Vance facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour with female subordinates: sources". Global News. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ Brewster, Murray (February 3, 2021). "Former top military commander to be investigated over allegations of inappropriate conduct".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Military police say they are opening an investigation into Vance allegations". Global News. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ "IN HER WORDS: One of the women behind Vance allegations tells her story". Global News. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ "Military probe into Vance allegations expands to 'unprecedented' levels". Global News. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ "Jonathan Vance: 6 Facts About Canada's Next Defence Chief". Huffington Post. April 27, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
- ^ "Canada Gazette" (PDF). June 13, 2009.
- ^ "The Governor General of Canada > Find a Recipient". gg.ca. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ "The Governor General of Canada > Find a Recipient". gg.ca. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ "Mention in Dispatches". Governor General of Canada. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
- ^ "The Governor General of Canada > Find a Recipient". gg.ca. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ "The Governor General of Canada > Find a Recipient". gg.ca. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ "Awards to Canadians". canadagazette.gc.ca. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ Government of Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada (September 29, 2018). "Canada Gazette, Part 1, Volume 152, Number 39: GOVERNMENT HOUSE". canadagazette.gc.ca.
- ^ "Awards to Canadians". canadagazette.gc.ca. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
