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While most negligent discharges are dealt with through a summary trial process, because of Rouleau’s senior rank the charge has to be sent to a court martial. He has been charged under Section 129 of the National Defence Act of neglect to the prejudice of good order and discipline.

No date has yet been set for his court martial.

Rouleau recently sent a message to the 2,000 members of his command explaining the incident.

As the commanding general, I am every bit as accountable as the youngest private in the force

“As a qualified special operations assaulter – and as a soldier – I am expected to safely handle weapons,” he said.

“I made a mistake, I reported the mistake and I own my mistake 100 per cent. Accountability is the bedrock of our discipline as a military special forces organization.”

“As the commanding general, I am every bit as accountable as the youngest private in the force,” he added.

He also noted he would accept full responsibility at the court martial.

“Accountability underpins our actions as soldiers and especially as leaders,” he said.

The Canadian Forces laid 213 charges related to negligent discharges in 2013-14 and 107 in 2015-16.

Rouleau said he regrets the mistake because he worries it will divert attention from the excellent work being done by members of his command.

The general has made multiple trips to northern Iraq where Canadian special forces are training Kurdish troops in the war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The Liberal government has expanded the special forces’ numbers to about 200.

Rouleau is a former commanding officer of the Ottawa-based Joint Task Force 2.

He joined the counter-terrorism force in 1994, eventually commanding tactical-level assault forces and larger groups of special forces. In 2006-07 he headed Canada’s special operations task force in Afghanistan.