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using multi-disciplinary approaches to address problems. For example, he suggested
that public security issues involved in protection against domestic terrorism are ripe for
researchers with a background in psychology. 15 In the same vein, Arctic security, a topic
that is currently en vogue in defence circles, is closely linked to CF operations but also
has linkages to interdepartmental activities and perspectives that cross multiple
jurisdictions. “The military aspect,” Dr Lindsey stated, “is only one side of the problem.
Other aspects include the role of the economy, environmental changes, search and
rescue, Inuit issues and Canadian sovereignty that need to be solved by looking at the
matter from a holistic perspective.” 16 Although these issues were not always thought of
in previous decades, the benefit of adopting such a multi-disciplinary approach is that it
brings many different perspectives of the key players to bear on a problem to enhance
common understanding, examine options and evaluate implications of those options
during all phases.
In the early days of OR, most of the analyses were original and tended to be
conducted very close to the actual operational problem under investigation. To be
useful, one needed to have a technical background, preferably with a radio or signals
application, which an ordinary university graduate would not possess. A lot of the OR
work tended to be done on an area or platform that was expanding, such as radar or
navigation, and there was an immediate operational requirement for data that did not
always exist at the time. 17 Whereas the focus of OR was on evaluating technical
performance of equipment, a wide array of disciplines and research areas such as
strategic studies, political science, sociology and military history are now used to
address military problems. According to Dr Lindsey, greater consideration should be
given to ‘soft’ skills not considered within the traditional realm of defence. Canada’s
defence relations within NATO and our frequent participation on coalition and
multinational operations highlight the importance of language and other ‘soft’ skills, such
as personal interaction and communication, teamwork and leadership. The multinational
character of NATO implies that there should be a shift in the focus of
professional development in the recruits that enter the military: “not being able to
understand or speak the same language is a terrible handicap. We need to have an
understanding of the basics.” 18
Guideline 2: Design capabilities with the widest possible objective in mind
As the CF finds itself operating in a security environment that can be characterized
as complex and volatile, it is important to stimulate discussion and debate on a continual
basis as to the nature, choices and reasons underpinning Canada’s defence strategy.
For example, the Canadian Navy became a great maritime power in the Second World
War largely because of its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role, which included OR work
on sonar and research by the National Research Council (NRC) on ship design. 19 With
the war over, and the Soviets undertaking a massive submarine building program, a key
question arose: should the Canadian Navy retain its traditional focus by concentrating
on ASW, or should more emphasis be placed on versatility, such as combating strategic
ballistic missile submarines, escorting convoys, sealift, close support of ground forces
and/or mine countermeasures? 20
At several points in CF history, the military either disposed of, or was on the verge
of divesting itself of, equipment only to find itself in a position of trying to re-acquire
similar capabilities down the road (at a much greater cost) in order to maintain a
contribution to world affairs. Canada’s long and sordid tale with acquiring search and
rescue helicopters in the 1990s stands out as a recent example in modern memory. In
order to avoid repeating this situation, Dr Lindsey maintained that it might be necessary
to think about several different uses for a platform, system or capability versus a single
Canadian Army Journal Vol. 11.1 Spring 2008