Soldier-sailors all

Press, 25 February 1978, Page 1

Soldier-sailors all

The Navy in charcoal grey suits? Well, not quite, but there is little to distinguish a rating in H.M.C.S. Kootenay from a cook in a Canadian Armycanteen. The Kootenay’s arrival at Lyttelton yesterday provided a rare opportunity to see a truly “integrated” armed service in action, and to see the seemingly sacrosanct navy-blue capitulate to the übiquitous armed forces’ green. Three of the crew — from left, Petty Officer M. Chistlett, Leading Seaman F. Selinas, and Chief Petty Officer S. K. Hunter — are shown in their seemingly informal green on board the ship yesterday. Ten years ago. Canada decided to merge the three branches of its Armed Services, ostensibly as an economy measure. Predictably, a public uproar ensued, with traditionalists saying that “espirit de corps” would disappear. Some of those fears have proved justified, says the Kootenav’s captain (Commander B. P. Moore). “But now much of the hysteria has died down, we have been able to take a

more balanced look at the situation,” he said. “There is a strong feeling among the men down below, who have signed up to go to sea, to identify themselves as sailors, and not simply as members of the Armed Forces.” There were even moves afoot to reintroduce insignia identifying the men with their particular ship, said Commander Moore. “Right now we have 40 men aboard who are actually Army and Air Force staff, but you would not know it from their uniforms unless you knew what to look for.” However, at the same time the change showed

the saving possible with an integrated force, he said. The 40 non-Navy men fill support roles such as medical, catering, and administration. It meant that the doubling up of support staff in the various branches of the forces was avoided. The move had raised a lot of interest around the world. The Kootenay Is in New Zealand waters showing the Canadian flag, and exercises with the Australian, New Zealand, and United States navies in the South Pacific. She will be at Lyttelton during the week-end.