The galleries were intended to "enhance the human experiences of war," documenting moments in Canadian military history that helped shaped the country; with many of the exhibits drawing links to the events with larger themes of nationhood and a national identity. Many of the exhibits were designed to simulate the "collective perspective" of Canadian service members, and Canadians in the to a lesser extent. The galleries are themed after four "intertwined principles," geography, brutality, politics, and survival; with each principle serving as the leading themes for a gallery. Visitors are introduced to these principles prior to entering the galleries, with conceptual phrases relating to these principles printed on the walls of the rotunda outside the entrance of the Canadian Experience galleries.