This historically based monograph uses a combination of primary and secondary sources, Canadian doctrine, and academic theory to explain how the Somalia Affair has affected the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). It shows how tactical incidents in Somalia, during the UNITAF mission, triggered a strategic crisis that was fundamentally mishandled by the extant strategic leadership, and then formed a catalyst for significant strategic and institutional effects, which continue to impact the CAF to this day. It clearly demonstrates that the Somalia Affair ruptured Canadian civil-military relations, adversely impacted the professional autonomy of the military, and forced an unprecedented evolution of the Canadian officer corps. Following a detailed literature review, each element of the Affair is discussed, enabling observation of the leadership and ethical failings which generated the strategic effects. Focus subsequently turns to the principle strategic effects and their continued impact on the CAF and the society it serves. In conclusion, several implications are discussed.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)