Canadian Army

Canadian Army
Armée canadienne
Founded19 May 1855 (1855-05-19)
CountryCanada
TypeArmy
RoleLand warfare
Size
  • 22,500 active personnel
  • 21,500 reserve personnel
  • 5,300 Canadian Rangers (included in reserve count)
Part ofCanadian Armed Forces
HeadquartersNDHQ Carling, Ottawa, Ontario
MottoVigilamus pro te (Latin for 'We stand on guard for thee')
ColourRed
March"The Great Little Army"
MascotJuno the Bear
Engagements
Websitewww.canada.ca/en/army.html
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefCharles III, King of Canada
Commander of the Canadian ArmyLieutenant-General Michael Wright
Deputy Commander of the Canadian ArmyMajor-General Peter Scott
Canadian Army Sergeant MajorChief Warrant Officer Christopher Robin
Insignia
Flag

The Canadian Army (French: Armée canadienne) is the branch of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) responsible for conventional land operations. As of 2024, it includes about 22,500 Regular Force personnel, 21,500 reservists, and 5,300 Canadian Rangers. Headquartered at NDHQ Carling in Ottawa, it maintains bases and facilities across Canada. The Army is led by the Commander of the Canadian Army, under the authority of the Chief of the Defence Staff.

The Army traces its roots to the colonial-era Canadian militia, though nearly all of its existing units were established after the Militia Act of 1855, which created the Active Militia in the Province of Canada. Shortly after Confederation, the Active Militia became Canada's sole functional military force, participating in several conflicts before being renamed the Canadian Army during the Second World War. It was reorganized as Force Mobile Command in 1965, ahead of the 1968 unification of Canada's military. Renamed Land Force Command in 1992, it reverted to the Canadian Army name in 2011.

The Army is organized into five formations, which includes four geographically based divisions comprising Regular and Reserve Force elements, and the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre for training and doctrine development. The four divisions includes several brigade groups made up of units from the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, and Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. The Army operates a variety of equipment sourced domestically and from other countries.