Canada's military may need year-long break after Afghan mission: army chief

"OTTAWA — The military may need a one-year break from operations in July 2011, when the Afghanistan mission winds down, says the head of Canada's army.
Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie told the Senate defence committee Monday the military has been strained by the mission that began seven years ago and it needs time to regroup.
'In the mid-term, and beginning in July 2011, we will have to explore the possibility of taking a short operational break, that is well-organized and synchronized, of at least one year,' he said."

A break may be needed, Leslie said, because the military is suffering from shortages of personnel - particularly experienced senior officers - as well as equipment. But some equipment apparently isn't even being used.
There are 40 Leopard 2 battle tanks sitting unused in a Montreal warehouse, and another 40 stored somewhere in Europe, awaiting the federal government to hire a firm to refurbish them, Leslie said.

The Canadian Press: Canada's military may need year-long break after Afghan mission: army chief: