Minister Peter MacKay

Minister Peter MacKay: As part of the ongoing image makeover of the military, Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced Monday that the army will replace the Maple Leaf rank designation on the shoulder boards of officers with the traditional "pips" and Crowns in a nod to the country's past, according to CTV. The decision means the rank of private, within the army, will be virtually eliminated and replaced with trooper, bombardier, fusilier, rifleman or guardsman, depending upon the unit and OTTAWA -- The Canadian Army is marching into its past. The ranks of non-commissioned officers will also be returned to the original British Army and Commonwealth designations. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.