This thesis examines the suitability of airdrop as a means of resupply for the Canadian Forces (CF) in an attempt to reduce forward supply inventories and promote “zero-footprint” logistics. Research methods involved both quantitative and qualitative techniques, consulting CF manuals and subject matter experts. Based on performance, airdrop staged from rear locations or outside the theatre of operations can meet resupply requirements. Although airdrop has longer assembly and loading times than ground based delivery, flight speed and direct routes can make up the difference. However based on interviews with CF personnel, it appears that due to limited availability of aircraft, drop zone requirements, delivery vehicle vulnerability, and the need for backhaul logistics, airdrop could not be used as a sole means of resupply.

This thesis examines the suitability of airdrop as a means of resupply for the Canadian Forces (CF) in an attempt to reduce forward supply inventories and promote “zero-footprint” logistics. Research methods involved both quantitative and qualitative techniques, consulting CF manuals and subject matter experts. Based on performance, airdrop staged from rear locations or outside the theatre of operations can meet resupply requirements. Although airdrop has longer assembly and loading times than ground based delivery, flight speed and direct routes can make up the difference. However based on interviews with CF personnel, it appears that due to limited availability of aircraft, drop zone requirements, delivery vehicle vulnerability, and the need for backhaul logistics, airdrop could not be used as a sole means of resupply.

The activities of the Department of National Defence (DND) account for more than half of the Government of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. This research examines a clean energy propulsion solution to DND’s carbon footprint using a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) battery hybrid powertrain for military armoured vehicles as a means of meeting Canada's Greening Defence initiatives. Real-world military vehicle operational data is used to create the operation profile for military vehicle powertrain design requirements. Following the model-based design (MBD) approach, the vehicle dynamics, fuel cell system and powertrain system models implemented in MATLAB/Simulink are used to predict the vehicle's performance, emissions, and operational costs. This research examines the feasibility of using a fuel cell-battery electric powertrain for a military armoured vehicle and produces a feasible design solution to meet the identified vehicle operation and performance requirements. The fuel cost and powertrain component performance degradations are modelled to predict the operation costs of the clean vehicle with the benefits of reduced emissions, noise and thermal profiles. The results of this research suggest there are viable, clean propulsion system and energy storage system (ESS) configurations that satisfy the requirements of the operational profile of military armoured vehicles. This research serves as a foundation for the use of clean military vehicle propulsion in Canada. / Graduate

Most Canadian adults do not meet recommended levels of physical activity; this phenomenon has persisted for many years and is associated with health concerns and chronic disease. These trends appear to affect Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel who have heightened mandates around physical activity. CAF operational mandates combined with these trends highlight the importance of addressing divides between expectation and reality. Traditionally the CAF has used approaches targeted to individuals to manage activity levels; however, there have been no studies exploring the relationship between the environment and activity levels among CAF personnel which has the potential to affect far more people. This dissertation examined built environments where CAF personnel live and explored the relationship between the built environment and active living among CAF personnel. There are two studies in this work. The first study developed a scale with and for the CAF and used this to examine the built environments where CAF personnel live. The results indicated a factor solution and demonstrated good-to-strong psychometric properties. Among the environments, it highlighted areas of strength and potential areas of improvement. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the built environments where CAF personnel live. The second study used data from several sources at individual and neighbourhood levels to conduct a hierarchical linear model analysis to explore the relationship between the built environment and physical activity among CAF personnel. The findings revealed information about the different relationships between active living (measured by physical activity level) of CAF personnel and individual and neighbourhood characteristics. The findings in this dissertation provide novel evidence about the relationship of the built environment and active living among CAF personnel. The aim of this research was to provide evidence and information to decisionmakers that serves to meaningfully contribute to the pursuit of the overall health and wellbeing of CAF members. The findings provided meaningful information to help guide and inform Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) policy, programming, and resource decisions that affect CAF personnel.

Gender inequality persists in the workplace, including in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The CAF is struggling to attain their goal of increasing the representation of women in uniform from 16% to 25%. One factor that may be contributing to their struggle is the cultural response of empowerment messaging to gender inequality. Empowerment messaging coveys that women can succeed in life through personal agency and optimism about the future. However, this seemingly positive messaging has the negative effect of increasing attributions of women’s responsibility for gender inequality while disregarding systemic barriers (i.e., women should overcome sexism because they have personal agency and the individual choice to do so). I contend that the CAF is using empowerment messaging in some of their public messaging, and I propose that the negative effects of empowerment messaging will generalize to the CAF context. In two experiments (total N = 812), exposure to empowerment messaging from a CAF video directly increased the burden placed on women to solve gender inequality in the CAF and indirectly predicted more blame placed on women for causing gender inequality in the CAF. This research suggests that institutional empowerment messaging meant to motivate and inspire women may in fact harm women. The CAF and other institutions struggling with gender inequality should avoid using empowerment messaging in their public communications to prevent harming women, especially with their focus on increasing the number of women in their organizations. / Graduate / 2023-08-10

No description available.

Introduction. Despite increased metabolic demands, infantry soldiers are known to not eat enough during military manoeuvres. We undertook this study to examine food provided and consumed by male soldiers in the Canadian Forces in operational environments to examine and potentially improve their nutrition. / Methods. Subjects recorded their food intakes using dietary questionnaires during two exercises. The adequacy of dietary intake and the nutrient value of foods offered were assessed against Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). / Results. Soldiers did not consume enough energy, carbohydrate, fibre, folate, vitamin C, potassium and calcium compared to operational requirements. The combat rations provided less than the recommended DRI for some nutrients. Food sources of nutrients were examined. / Discussion. We recommend increasing the quantity of easy-to-eat nutrient-dense foods while decreasing sodium content. To optimize nutrition and combat readiness, new products rich in carbohydrate, potassium, folate and calcium need to be added.

This thesis examines how and why two amateur videos, broadcast across Canada in 1995, contributed to the disbandment of the Canadian Airborne Regiment. A brief history of the Airborne highlights discipline problems that were known to exist before the videos were broadcast. Common assumptions about images, particularly amateur video images, are explored. The concept of the "media event" is used to show how mediation magnified the videos' impact. A detailed examination of the videos and their constructions as news stories demonstrates how narrative frames and the newsmaking process in general shaped what the public saw. A general content analysis of the media coverage surrounding the videos shows how a moral panic developed when Canadian values were threatened. It is argued that the videos and reaction to them shed more light on attitudes Canadians wanted to keep hidden than they did on any secrets the military harboured.

Since World War II the Canadian military community has evolved to meet the needs of a permanent military force and has changed from the preserve of the single male to include women and families. Thus the Department of National Defence (DND) has become concerned with the welfare of military families as an integral part of military preparedness. A variety of accommodation policies were formulated and programs established to satisfy the needs of these families who worked and lived in such a unique environment. These policies and programs have emphasised housing and related infrastructure, and included both physical and social services. They have, in part, enabled DND to relieve many family related problems despite the disruptive lifestyle. However, as a result of evolutionary changes in the Canadian Forces, the lifestyle of Canadians and the general economic situation, concern has arisen that current DND policies relating to housing and service provision may no longer be appropriate or effective. This thesis looks at the lifestyle and unique difficulties of military families in order to evaluate the social impacts on the families resulting from accommodation policy. Although the general question of whether DND should even be in the business of creating and maintaining its own communities is complex and requires the consideration of many factors, this thesis limits itself to the social impacts of accommodation policies. Since it is generally perceived that social concerns have received limited consideration in the past, this thesis develops a framework to consider and include such concerns. This is done through: secondary research of analogous civilian communities and other military communities; primary data from recent DND family studies; informal interviews with families and decision-makers in the military community; and, the personal experience of the author as a member of the military community. There are four main findings. First, a framework based on Lichfield's Planning Balance Sheet methodology is a suitable and appropriate tool for assisting decision-makers in making informed choices. Second, the creation of a Non-Public Housing Society responding to DND but operated at arms-length, is seen as a viable housing policy alternative which deserves further study. Third, the social impacts on military families resulting from the municipalization of physical services are not significant. And fourth,.; social services when provided internally appear more successful. The unique lifestyle of military families is linked to operational effectiveness and military preparedness through the work/family environment. The importance of social planning on this interface is emphasized to encourage decision-makers to explicitly incorporate social planning into the decision-making process. The Planning Balance Sheet methodology is suggested as an appropriate one for this purpose. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

No description available.