Canada's newest top soldier asked federal ministers Friday to remember Canadian soldiers and their families in the upcoming budget, saying Ottawa is doing too little for the military.

Gen. Rick Hillier was named Chief of Defence Staff during a full military ceremony in Ottawa attended by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and Prime Minister Paul Martin.

General Rick Hillier
General Rick Hillier

Born in Newfoundland, Hillier joked that he never expected to be in charge of the country's 60,000 military personnel.

"My sole aim when I joined the military was simply to be a soldier ... not be a commanding officer," said Hillier. "Most of my superior officers agreed with my vision throughout my career."

Hillier, who said his goals are to get the necessary money to sustain and eventually expand the military, asked government officials at the ceremony to remember the Forces when submitting their budgets.

"In this country, we could probably not give enough resources to the men and women to do all the things that we ask them to do," said Hillier.

"But we can give them too little, and that is what we are now doing."

Speaking after the ceremony, Hillier said he's been "very frank" with the prime minister about military funding and will continue to do so.

Martin welcomed Hillier to his new post, saying he understands the role of the military isn't just defence at home, but must extend around the world. Global issues such as AIDS can't be tackled unless security is established in conflict-ridden states, said Martin.

"You take on a job of great, great responsibility," said Martin. "There's no doubt in my mind that you are the man for that job and that you will do us proud."

Hillier recently led 6,000 soldiers in Afghanistan as commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and has also served with NATO in the former Yugoslavia.

He also commanded the Canadian military sent to help during the 1998 ice storm in Ontario and Quebec.

He took over from Gen. Ray Henault, who was elected chairman of the NATO Military Committee.