by David J. Bercuson However the concept "profession of arms" is described in modern terms, it is always defined as having an "unlimited liability" to the political masters who direct the military and ultimately to the society from which the military springs. In the plainest of terms, the professional soldier--and by definition sailor and airperson--is unlimited in his or her military responsibilities and, if necessary, must offer up his or her life in the achievement of the mission goal. This concept is clearly stated in the new publication issued last fall by Chi...

Top: General Ray Hénault presents the British Operational Service Medal for Sierra Leone to Master Warrant Officer Ken Zack. Above: Officers salute during the presentation ceremony. In a ceremony at Ottawa's Cartier Square Drill Hall, General Ray Hénault, the chief of defence staff, presented 35 members of the Canadian Forces with a new operational service medal from Britain. The British Operational Service Medal for Sierra Leone was authorized by the Ministry of Defence in the United Kingdom in June 2002. The medal recognizes those ...

by Ray Dick A United States Army Stryker armoured vehicle moves out during exercises at Fort Polk, La. The Canadian version will also have a 105-millimetre gun. Canadian soldiers who go in harm's way on missions to world trouble spots will be getting some new light-armoured vehicles with bigger guns under a recently announced government procurement policy that will cost more than $500 million over the next two years. Defence Minister John McCallum says the government will purchase 66 light-armoured Stryker vehicles, eight-wheeled ...