Canada's diminutive top soldier told a compact female cadet that he can relate to womens' complaints about oversized body armour and other kit designed for larger men.

"Listen, I hear you sister. I'm like five seven, I've been chaffing against this stuff my whole career too," he told Officer Cadet Melissa Sanfacon at the Conference of Defence Associations Institute 2017 Ottawa conference.

Sanfacon asked the question in relation to the military's efforts to get more women into the force. She said some of the equipment she uses is fitted for the size of an average soldier, which is much larger than her nearly five foot stature.

"So the fit, and I'm going to assume it's the same way for many women, is not quite functional or practical, sir," she said.

Vance said he completely agreed and immediately pointed to Lt-Gen. Paul Wynnyk, Commander of the Canadian Army, and instructed him to: "do better."

RMC Officer Cadet Melissa Sanfacon asks Gen. Jonathan Vance a question during the Conference of Defence Associations Institute 2017 Ottawa conference, Friday. (CBC )

In a call later with CBC, Vance said the military has had challenges with getting properly fitted equipment in the past and projects are being put in place to address it. He also said he has instructed Lt-Gen. Wynnyk to follow up with Sanfacon.

The question and the comments come as the military is focussed on getting more women to join the forces and more women in leadership positions.

In his speech Friday Vance spoke at length about the importance of having a diverse force and said "if we want to change the diverse nature of the Armed Forces, if we want to become more diverse and inclusive, we're going to have to change."

That includes targeted recruiting and may include building in more flexibility for Canadian Forces members when it comes to planning their careers.