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Chenard said the request for equipment is mainly focused on the Ottawa area since many headquarters personnel, including himself, don’t go into the field or on operations so have no immediate need for such gear.

The military personnel who are holding two or more rucksacks, however, are believed to be scattered across the country.

“It’s mainly an army issue,” Chenard explained.

Reserve and regular force army recruits receive a sleeping bag and rucksack.

Navy and air force recruits would also use such equipment but, for the most part, would only keep such gear if they are going to a high readiness unit or a training establishment.

There are approximately 63,000 military personnel who have such equipment but the Canadian Forces estimates about 15 per cent of those individuals would not need the gear since it is unlikely they are going on operations or in the field in the near future.

“There are staff officers in Ottawa, and I include myself as one of them,” Chenard said. “I haven’t taken my sleeping bag to the field since I have been in Ottawa.”

One Canadian Army public affairs officer at National Defence headquarters in Ottawa acknowledged to Defence Watch having two rucksacks and three sleeping bags even though he hasn’t gone into the field since 2010. He noted he will be returning the equipment.

Chenard said those giving up the gear would be reissued with the equipment later if they were required to go into the field.

Chenard said the Canadian Forces has also ordered more sleeping bags and rucksacks. “There are procurements that are ongoing,” he explained. “We don’t see those delivering until 2019. We see this a due diligence to rebuild our inventory to allow the procurement process to deliver in the next couple of years.”