Navy struggling with personnel ‘crisis’

The Royal Canadian Navy is struggling with what its commander says is a personnel “crisis” as hundreds of positions sit vacant. Vice-admiral Angus Topshee says he needs nearly 1,400 sailors to reach full strength, which is about 17 per cent of the navy’s total ranks. While the shortfall comes amid a recruiting crisis within the Canadian Armed Forces, Topshee says the vacancies include numerous mid-level positions in the navy. That is forcing him to move less experienced sailors into leadership positions.