Canada's top soldier wasted no time drawing friendly battle lines between himself and the new head of the Royal Canadian Navy on Thursday, as the two men engaged in a push-up contest to see whose brawn would hold up longer.

Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff and Admiral Ron Lloyd, commander of the navy both hit the deck in Ottawa for the friendly showdown, during a ceremony to introduce Lloyd as the Royal Canadian Navy's top sailor.

The competition broke out after Vance mentioned that Lloyd used to outrank him, and would make him do push-ups as a cadet.

Lloyd took over leadership of the navy from outgoing Vice-Admiral Mark Norman at a change of command ceremony in Ottawa, on board HMCS Carleton. Sailors rowed to shore in a boat with Norman on board, following the ceremony.