Order of precedence for units of the Canadian Armed Forces (YSHS, FRM collection)

Canadian Armed Forces order of precedence

All units of the Canadian Armed Forces have an order of precedence that determines seniority; it often decides such matters as which unit forms up to the right (senior side) of other units on a ceremonial parade, or the order in which marches or calls are played at a mess dinner.

Order of precedence

Naval Operations Branch

Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (see below)

Royal Canadian Artillery

Canadian Military Engineers

Communications and Electronics Branch

Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (see below)

Air Operations Branch

Royal Canadian Logistics Service

Royal Canadian Medical Service

Royal Canadian Dental Corps

Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Royal Canadian Chaplain Service

Canadian Forces Military Police

Legal Branch

Music Branch

Personnel Selection Branch

Training Development Branch

Public Affairs Branch

Intelligence Branch

Cadet Instructors Cadre

Special Operations Forces Branch

Note: The honour of "the right of the line" (precedence over other units), on an army parade, is held by the units of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA) when on parade with their guns. On dismounted parades, RCHA units take precedence over all other land force units except formed bodies of officer cadets of the Royal Military College representing their college. Royal Canadian Artillery units parade to the left of units of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.

Precedence of armoured regiments

Regular Force

The Royal Canadian Dragoons

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.644.

The Royal Canadian Dragoons were formed on 21 December 1883 as the Cavalry School Corps, The Royal Canadian Dragoons is the senior cavalry regiment in the Canadian Army and was Canada's first professional, full-time cavalry unit. It was originally organized as a troop (the then-company-sized British Army cavalry maneuver sub-unit, today regarded as a squadron) and was commanded by Captain (Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel) J.F. Turnbull of Quebec City's Queen's Own Canadian Hussars. The first Regimental Sergeant-Major was Sergeant-Major George Baxter, recruited by Lt.-Col. Turnbull from the British Army's 4th Dragoon Guards at Aldershot along with two other British Army Sergeant-Instructors from the 7th Dragoon Guards and the 15th The King's Hussars.

The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) is the senior armoured regiment of the Canadian Army by precedence. It is one of three armoured regiments in the Regular Force and forms part of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC). The colonel-in-chief of The RCD is Charles III, King of Canada. The colonel of the regiment is Major-General Dean Milner, CMM, MSC, CD (Retired). The commanding officer is Lieutenant-Colonel N. Forsyth, and the regimental sergeant major is Chief Warrant Officer C. Leblanc. The regiment is composed of Regimental Headquarters, "A", "B", "C", "D" and Headquarters Squadrons. "A", "B" and "D" Squadrons, based at CFB Petawawa, are light cavalry squadrons. "C" Squadron is based at CFB Gagetown, and the squadron consists of both Dragoons and members of 12e Régiment blindé du Canada. Headquarters Squadron, based in Petawawa, provides first-line combat service support to the regiment.

‍

Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.552. Queen's crown.

The LdSH (RC) originated 1 July 1901 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as an independent Permanent Active Militia corps of mounted rifles, designated as A Squadron, The Canadian Mounted Rifles. Redesignated 1 October 1903 as The Royal Canadian Mounted Rifles. Redesignated 1 October 1909 as Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)[4]Redesignated 1 May 1911 as Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), (LdSH (RC)). Redesignated 16 October 1946 as the 2nd Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)), RCAC. Redesignated 2 March 1949 as Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (2nd Armoured Regiment). Redesignated 19 May 1958 as Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians).

Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (LdSH[RC]) is a regular armoured regiment of the Canadian Army and is Canada’s only tank regiment. Currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, the regiment is part of 3rd Canadian Division's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. Members of the regiment are commonly called Strathconas or Straths as a short form. It was one of the last regiments in the British Empire to be created and raised by a private individual, Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal. The regimental motto is "Perseverance". The colonel-in-chief of the regiment is King Charles III, while the colonel of the regiment is Colonel Jamie Cade (Retired).

12e Régiment Blindé du Canada (Régulier)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.36.

The 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada originated on 24 March 1871 and incorporates both Regular and Reserve Force regiments. The 12e Régiment blindé du Canada originated in Trois-Rivières, Quebec on 24 March 1871, when the 'Three Rivers Provisional Battalion of Infantry' was authorized to be formed. It was redesignated: '86th "Three Rivers" Battalion of Infantry' on 4 June 1880; '86th Three Rivers Regiment' on 8 May 1900; 'The Three Rivers Regiment' on 29 March 1920; 'The Three Rivers Regiment (Tank)' on 15 December 1936; '2nd Regiment, The Three Rivers Regiment (Tank)' on 13 August 1940;  '12th (Reserve) Army Tank Battalion, (The Three Rivers Regiment (Tank))' on 1 April 1941; and '12th (Reserve) Army Tank Regiment (The Three Rivers Regiment (Tank))' on 15 August 1942. The regiment was converted to artillery and redesignated the '46th Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA (Three Rivers Regiment)' on 1 April 1946. The regiment was converted to armour and redesignated the '24th Armoured Regiment (Three Rivers Regiment)' on 19 June 1947. It was redesignated: 'Le Régiment de Trois-Rivières (24th Armoured Regiment)' on 4 February 1949; 'Le Régiment de Trois-Rivières (RCAC)' on 19 May 1958; and '12e Régiment blindé du Canada' on 2 May 1968.

12e Régiment blindé du Canada (12 RBC) is a unit capable of operating in all contemporary operational environments. 12 RBC is composed of three armoured reconnaissance squadrons and a headquarters squadron. While it mainly employs Coyote vehicles, the Regiment is ready on order to use tank troops.

‍

Primary Reserve

‍

The Governor General's Horse Guards

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

1997.28.26. Queen's Crown.

Accession No. The Governor General's Horse Guards

‍

The Halifax Rifles (RCAC)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.80.

The Halifax Rifles (RCAC)

‍

8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s) (Militia)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.10.

8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s) (Militia)

‍

The Ontario Regiment (RCAC)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.545.

The Ontario Regiment (RCAC)

‍

The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.501.

The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC)

‍

Sherbrooke Hussars

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.35.

The Sherbrooke Hussars

‍

12e Régiment blindé du Canada (Militia)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.36.

The 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada.

‍

1st Hussars

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1992.12.91.

1st Hussars

The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.33. PEIR, Queen's crown.

The Prince Edward Island Regiment

‍

The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.37.

The Royal Canadian Hussars

‍

The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)

(The Canadian Soldier Photo)

The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)

‍

The South Alberta Light Horse

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.41.

The South Alberta Light Horse

‍

The Saskatchewan Dragoons

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.618.

The Saskatchewan Dragoons

‍

The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.533.

The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC)

‍

The British Columbia Dragoons

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.19.

The British Columbia Dragoons

‍

The Fort Garry Horse

(Clive Law Photo)

The Fort Garry Horse

‍

Le Régiment de Hull (RCAC)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.515.

Le Régiment de Hull (RCAC)

‍

The Windsor Regiment (RCAC)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.16.

The Windsor Regiment (RCAC)

‍

Supplementary Reserve

‍

4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.547.

4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards

‍

12th Manitoba Dragoons

(H. Shepherd Photo)

12th Manitoba Dragoons

‍

14th Canadian Hussars

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.17.

14th Canadian Hussars

‍

Precedence of infantry regiments, Regular Force

‍

The Royal Canadian Regiment (Regular)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.648.

The Royal Canadian Regiment

‍

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Regular)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.536

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

‍

Royal 22e Régiment (Regular)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.105. Queen's crown.

Royal 22e Régiment

‍

Primary Reserve

‍

Governor General's Foot Guards

(Private Collection Photo)

Governor General's Foot Guards.

‍

The Canadian Grenadier Guards

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.173.

The Canadian Grenadier Guards

‍

The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.459.

The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada

‍

The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.485.

The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada

‍

Les Voltigeurs de Québec

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.509.

Les Voltigeurs de Québec

‍

The Royal Regiment of Canada

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.118.

The Royal Regiment of Canada

‍

The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.486.

The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)

‍

The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.123.

The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment

‍

The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.112.

The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment

‍

The Lincoln and Welland Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.110.

The Lincoln and Welland Regiment

‍

4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.648.

4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment

‍

The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.51.

The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada

‍

The Grey and Simcoe Foresters

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.522.

The Grey and Simcoe Foresters

‍

The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.64.

The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)

‍

The Brockville Rifles

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photos)

Accession No. 1997.28.74. Queen's crown.

The Brockville Rifles

‍

Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.543.

Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders

‍

Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.127.

Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent

‍

Le Régiment de la Chaudière

(Private Collection Photo)

Le Régiment de la Chaudière

‍

Royal 22e Régiment (Militia)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.105. Queen's crown.

Royal 22e Régiment (Militia)

4th Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment (Châteauguay)

6th Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment

‍

Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.125.

Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal

‍

The Princess Louise Fusiliers

(Private Collection Photo)

The Princess Louise Fusiliers

‍

The Royal New Brunswick Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.100.

The Royal New Brunswick Regiment

‍

The West Nova Scotia Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.116.

The West Nova Scotia Regiment

‍

The North Shore New Brunswick Regiment

(New Brunswick Military History Museum Collection, Author Photo)

The North Shore New Brunswick Regiment

‍

The Nova Scotia Highlanders

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.53.

The Nova Scotia Highlanders

‍

Le Régiment de Maisonneuve

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.549.

Le Régiment de Maisonneuve

‍

The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own)

(Private Collection Photo)

The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own)

‍

The Royal Winnipeg Rifles

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.75.

The Royal Winnipeg Rifles

‍

The Essex and Kent Scottish

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.54.

The Essex and Kent Scottish

‍

48th Highlanders of Canada

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.47.

48th Highlanders of Canada

‍

Le Régiment du Saguenay

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.506.

Le Régiment du Saguenay

‍

The Cape Breton Highlanders

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.57.

The Cape Breton Highlanders

‍

The Algonquin Regiment (Northern Pioneers)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.111.

The Algonquin Regiment (Northern Pioneers)

‍

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.59

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)

‍

The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.61.

The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment

‍

The North Saskatchewan Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.106.

The North Saskatchewan Regiment

‍

The Royal Regina Rifles

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.68.

The Royal Regina Rifles

‍

The Rocky Mountain Rangers

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.521.

The Rocky Mountain Rangers

‍

The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.510.

The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry)

‍

The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada

(Private Collection Photo)

The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada

‍

The Royal Westminster Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photos)

Accession No. 1997.28.643.

The Royal Westminster Regiment

‍

The Calgary Highlanders

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.46.

The Calgary Highlanders

‍

Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.124.

Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke

‍

The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.50.

The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada

‍

The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.542.

The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)

‍

The Royal Montreal Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.659.

The Royal Montreal Regiment

‍

The Irish Regiment of Canada

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.646.

The Irish Regiment of Canada

‍

The Toronto Scottish Regiment

(Private Collection Photo)

The Toronto Scottish Regiment

‍

Royal Newfoundland Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.538.

Royal Newfoundland Regiment

‍

Supplementary Reserve

The Canadian Guards

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.173.

The Canadian Guards

‍

Victoria Rifles of Canada

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.79.

Victoria Rifles of Canada

‍

The Royal Rifles of Canada

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.487.

The Royal Rifles of Canada

‍

The Perth Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.76.

The Perth Regiment

‍

Le Régiment de Joliette

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.504.

Le Régiment de Joliette

‍

The Winnipeg Grenadiers

(Private Collection Photo)

The Winnipeg Grenadiers

‍

The South Saskatchewan Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.527

The South Saskatchewan Regiment

‍

The Yukon Regiment

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo)

Accession No. 1997.28.126.

The Yukon Regiment