(OTTAWA) The Royal Canadian Navy is grappling with what its commander calls a manpower “crisis” as hundreds of positions go unfilled.
Posted at 4:35 p.m.
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee says he needs almost 1,400 sailors to reach full strength, or about 17% of all Royal Canadian Navy personnel.
As the shortfall comes amid a recruiting crisis in the Canadian Armed Forces, Topshee says vacancies include many mid-level Navy roles.
This forces him to move less experienced sailors into leadership positions, as those with more experience are assigned to train new recruits.
It also leads him to take a close look at how the organization treats its sailors, as well as assess which jobs are essential to navy operations and which are not.
Mr. Topshee recently announced that the Royal Canadian Navy is eliminating the military occupation of stewards, whose primary role is to serve officers and provide logistical support on warships.