Gen. Rick Hillier says support for the Canadian Forces "has never been higher," as the popular -- and controversial -- chief of defence staff prepares to resign on July 1.

"I really did focus a lot on ensuring the men and women who wear our nation's uniform, and their families, had the support of Canadians from coast to coast to coast, in all the missions they choose to do," Hillier said at a press conference Tuesday.

In a letter to the Canadian Forces, Hillier wrote that he had set himself the task of creating the right conditions for soldiers to succeed "in defence of Canada, Canadians, and Canadian interests and values.

"We have achieved those key objectives, and reached the critical milestones I originally set out for us to reach by the end of my time as CDS. We have moulded our culture to one which recognizes that operations are our raison d'être; that our efforts, all of them, must concentrate on achieving the missions and tasks given to us by the Government of Canada, on behalf of all Canadians."

CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife told Newsnet that Hillier's resignation is not related to any policy disagreement or other troubles with the government.

"After three years in one of the most intense jobs in the country in the middle of a conflict in Afghanistan, (people) would probably appreciate that he wants to get his life back," retired Col. Mike Capstick told Newsnet about Hillier.

There appear to be four possible contenders to replace Hiller after his resignation:

• Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, head of the army;
• Vice-Admiral Drew Robertson, head of the navy;
• Lt.-Gen. Walter Natynczyk, vice-chief of defence staff; and,
• Lt.-Gen. Michel Gauthier, chief of the Forces overseas deployments.

In the House of Commons during question period, Prime Minister Stephen Harper praised Hillier.

"He is a great Canadian and we are very proud to have worked with him,'' Harper said.

NDP Leader Jack Layton, who strongly opposes the current mission in Afghanistan, said: "Here's someone who has given many years of service to our country.

"We always have to be thankful that people are willing to do these kinds of difficult jobs and when they decide to move on and take their retirement, I think all Canadians would want to wish the general well and certainly I would add my name to that list of Canadians.''

CTV News reported in October 2007 that Hillier, who has been in the military for 36 years, would be replaced when his three-year term expired in February.

Chiefs of defence staff normally serve a three-year term, but that isn't fixed. Defence commentators said at the time that they thought Hillier would welcome an extension or renewal.

The Liberal government of then-prime minister Paul Martin appointed Hillier, born in Newfoundland in 1955, as chief of defence staff in January 2005.

In his inaugural speech, Hillier called for more money for the Forces, which carried a significant burden of spending cutbacks as the federal government tried to bring chronic deficit spending under control in the 1990s.

Hillier also envisioned a new role for the Canadian military in the 21st century, a more nimble force capable of responding to the emerging threats of terrorism and natural disasters.

A strategic thinker with field experience -- he served as the senior NATO officer in Afghanistan before being named CDS) -- Hillier is also revered by the troops, particularly the army.

"I've been in Afghanistan twice with (Hillier), and it's just overwhelming to see how these young men and women admire this general," Fife said.

"We haven't seen a general like this, at least in my lifetime, who has inspired so much from his troops and is so popular with the Canadian public."

One reason for that is when Hillier is on a visit, he would rather talk to his soldiers than be seen with the prime minister or other top politicians, he said.

Under both the Liberals and Conservatives, the Armed Forces have seen an increase in its budget, so Hillier will leave a solid base for his successor, Fife said. 

Surprising

Scott Taylor, publisher of Esprit de Corps magazine, told CTV.ca that he found Hillier's departure at this time surprising.

"He's in the middle of a massive transformation of the Armed Forces, and their own internal reports say it's being held together basically by the personality of the CDS himself. It's his idea, his plan."

The Afghan mission has been extended to 2011 and many of the many procurement projects meant to upgrade the Forces are in their infancy, Taylor said.

Any successor would be coming in at a very challenging time, he said.

Most generals retire at 55, but Hillier is only 52. He also spends 75 to 90 minutes per day working out in the gym, Taylor said. "I saw that as an indicator he was planning to stick around."

There are usually plenty of people with daggers out for leaders, but people around Hillier were loyal to him, he said.

Hillier did cross swords with former defence minister Gordon O'Connor, who was eventually replaced by Peter MacKay in an August 2007 cabinet shuffle.

And last fall, Hillier appeared to contradict Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The general said Canadian troops could be in Afghanistan for 10 years -- after Harper said the mission could be accomplished by 2011.

That triggered rumours Hillier would be fired. Hillier then said he was on the "same sheet of paper" as the prime minister about the mission.

Fife said there were elements in the Prime Minister's Office who didn't like Hillier, but he didn't know if that extended to Harper.

In terms of replacing Hillier, Taylor suggested Lt.-Gen. Michel Gauthier, the commander of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, would be the least disruptive pick.

If the government names someone from the air force or navy, there's a chance some of the transformation could be rolled back as those services have diminished in importance, he said. 

Capstick said the current heads of the army, navy and air force could all be considered candidates along with a few others.

"Nobody can replicate Gen. Hillier's personality, but they're all good, solid operators," he said.