Canada's military leadership structure has undergone considerable change since 1896, when changes to promote professionalism began. However, the Canadian Forces have done little to evolve since the exemplary leadership and professionalism demonstrated during the Hundred Days' War of the First World War. Instead, the leadership of the Canadian Armed Forces has regressed to a state of systemic problems and lack of professionalism. Our armed forces are not reaching their potential as one of the most professional in the world due to flaws in education, politics and civilization. Education has always been part of the leadership development and culture of the Canadian Forces. Major JW Hammond (1998) wrote: "The current leadership doctrine of the Canadian Forces was largely completed by 1973...For the most part, the 1973 manuals remain the leadership manuals today." » (p. 2) 38 years have passed since the creation of the leadership doctrine and very little has changed. The Canadian Forces are now committed to including diverse ethnic backgrounds in our forces. This should be reason enough to change the way doctrine is written as needs, requirements, and motivation change. The Canadian Forces also changed their mandate to provide broader assistance to NORAD, the UN and other organizations. This should also be a reason to change what the Canadian Forces teach about leadership. In reality, the scope of leadership doctrine should be written to reflect the modernization of the Canadian Forces. The doctrine should also be rewritten to encompass 21st century requirements. The problem with teaching leadership ideals and rules from years ago is that it simply doesn't represent the ever-changing state of our milieu...... middle of paper .... .. and you have taken the first step towards failure. .” (Hillier, 2010, p. 17-18) The Canadian Forces must step back from politics and civilization and focus on the people who will lead the military identity of tomorrow. Failure to do so would be a colossal failure and perhaps even the complete demise of the Canadian Forces as a whole. Works cited Dallaire, LR (2004). Shaking hands with the devil: failure of humanity in Rwanda. Vintage Canada. English, A.D. (2004). Understanding military culture: a Canadian perspective. McGill-Queen's University Press. English, J.A. (1998). Lamenting an Army: The Decline of Canadian Military Professionalism. Irwin Publishing. Hammond, M. J. (1998). First of all: improve Canadian military leadership. National defense. Hillier, G.R. (2010). Leadership: 50 points of wisdom for today's leaders. HarperCollins.