In 1951, Canada sent troops to western Europe to support its NATOallies. The brigade helped Canada establish its international status.In private, however, Canadian officials and military leaders expressedgrave doubts about NATO's strategies and operational plans.Despite these reservations, they sent military families overseas andimplemented personnel policies that permanently changed thedistribution of the defence budget and the character of the CanadianArmy. This original account of the evolution of the Canadian Army� from a small training cadre to a truly national force �offers a new perspective on military policy and diplomacy in the ColdWar era.