CANADA CURRENT FLAGS

DOMINION OF CANADA

CURRENT MILITARY & NAVAL FLAGS

Images Added August 2001

Appointment Flag, Commander, Land Forces Central Area

Appointment Flag, Commander, Maritime Forces Atlantic

Appointment Flag, Commander, Northern Maritime Region

Notes

In 1965, Canada adopted a new national flag in place of the Canadian Red Ensign. The Maple Leaf Flag, as the new flag came to be nicknamed, also became Canada's naval ensign, replacing the British White Ensign. A new jack was adopted to replace the Canadian Blue Ensign, which had previously served as Canada's naval jack.

Since 1965, a number of additional naval and military flags have been introduced. For the most part they follow British practice, displaying the national flag in the canton with various badges or insignia in the fly.

In theory, Canada's military establishment is unified; that is, there are no separate services, just functional commands. In practice unification has proved unpopular, and there is an increasing tendency to emphasize the separate character of the ground, air and naval components of the armed forces. This is reflected in the design of the current Air Command Ensign, which is now the same as the one used prior to unification, except that the Canadian national flag replaces the Union Jack in the canton. Following this trend, a distinctive flag for the ground forces was introduced in 1998.

Rank flags are the same for generals, admirals and senior officers regardless of component. As shown, a badge may appear in the fly of these rank flags for commanding officers of major commands. For naval commanders, an alternate, semi-official set of rank flags exists: dark blue with from one to four gold maple leaves according to rank. The maple leaves are arranged as in the same manner as the stars on the rank flags of US Navy flag officers.

Flag Proportions: Current Canadian ensigns, jacks and military flags (other than regimental colors and flags) have 1:2 proportions. Rank and appointment flags are made in approximate 3:5 proportions.