LGen. Charles Lamarre new commander of Military Personnel Command

Military Personnel Command (MPC) welcomed LGen. Charles Lamarre as the new Commander in a ceremony in Ottawa on March 31.

The ceremony, held at the Cartier Square Drill Hall, was presided over by Gen. Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff.

“I want to thank Lieutenant-General Chris Whitecross and her team at Military Personnel Command for their commitment in developing improvements to policies and programs that will enable us to better support our members and their families. I’m delighted for her and wish her every success as the new Commandant of the NATO Defense College. I am also looking forward to working with Lieutenant-General Chuck Lamarre, who will provide strong leadership to the dedicated women and men within the Military Personnel Command in their important work,” said Gen. Vance.

In his new role, Lamarre will oversee nearly 14,000 military and civilian personnel who are responsible for the overall personnel management of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Personnel management includes recruitment, training and education, benefits, health services, honours and history, and corporate and personnel support.

Additionally, the Commander of MPC will be responsible for overseeing Operation HONOUR; increasing diversity and female representation in the CAF.

Previously, the new Commander of MPC was the Director of Staff at the Strategi Joint Staff in National Defence Headquarters.

“I am honoured to take over as Commander of Military Personnel Command and to work with this dynamic team. People are our greatest resource, and I will continue putting all our effort toward ensuring that we are an organization that focuses on supporting our people and their families,” stated LGen. Lamarre.

Lamarre assumes command from LGen. Christine Whitecross, who will now serve as the Commandant of the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy.

“Serving as Commander of the Military Personnel Command for nearly the last two years has been a great honour. To add to the wellbeing of our men and women in uniform and their families has been a privilege. The team implemented and oversaw efforts to eliminate harmful, inappropriate behaviour through Operation HONOUR, broaden our diversity, and increase the percentage of women in uniform. On that last effort, I am both humbled and proud of the young women who have decided to join the Canadian Armed Forces. They are going to move this organization ahead. I will truly miss the team, but I know that MPC will continue to advance under the leadership of Lieutenant-General Lamarre,” stated LGen. Christine Whitecross.