Canadian Officers in the Troupes de la Marine: 1687

When the French minister of marine, Jean Colbert, established the Troupes de la Marine in January 1683, only those troops recruited in France could be commissioned as officers (lieutenant, captain, and higher ranks). Colonial recruits could serve as non-commissioned officers (corporal, sergeant, and sergeant-major). In 1687, Colbert granted Canadian recruits the right to receive officer's commissions in the Troupes de la Marine. With time, the Compagnies franches de la Marine would become increasingly dependent on Canadian officers.