Canada moves to 2% GDP end of FY25/26 - PMMC

[daftandbarmy]

100% the Regs should handle all training. Reservists are meant to be part time and anyone who finds the time off to work for the Reserves should be progressing their own training not being relied on for what limited availability they have to train someone else.

The ‘self sufficient’ Reserves thing is nonsense considering it’s one military and should have one standard. It’s all about working towards a collective goal, not fighting amongst ourselves to the detriment of the CAF.

Normal career progression above the rank of Cpl and 2Lt sees Reservists delivering alot training as part of their leadership development, so probably not a great idea at that level.

However, getting a grip on the epic jug frig that is the typical annual training cycle like establishing meaningful training goals and a progressive plan to achieve them including delivering some kind of mission aligned culminating exercise program, as opposed to just doing whatever the hell the ARes CBG Comd and their unqualified staff cabal mates want to do, might be something the Reg F can help with.

Beyond a poorly managed CAX every couple of years, it might also be a great idea for the Reg F to help deliver some relevant and consistent Pro D for Officers and SNCOs. Referring to these people as 'useless clag', and unceremoniously ushering them away after they deliver their troops for some kind of Level 3 or 4 collective training event is probably not doing alot to increase the skills of this important leadership cohort.

 

[Kirkhill]

Since February 2022, the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) have significantly increased their personnel, particularly in territorial defense and reservist capabilities. The EDF is also focusing on enhancing its military hardware, including acquiring new artillery, anti-tank, and air defense systems.

The EDF is increasing its territorial defense force by 10,000 fighters, aiming for a wartime contingent of 36,000. They are also doubling the voluntary defense league, increasing it from 10,000 to 20,000 members

...

Since February 2022, the Polish army has significantly increased its size and spending on defense. Poland has committed to doubling its land forces to 300,000 personnel and has increased its defense budget to at least 3% of GDP, with plans to potentially reach 4.7% in 2025. This surge in military growth is largely in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Increase in the Polish Armed Forces​

The Polish Armed Forces have been building up their ground component for a long time due to the growing threats from Russia and Belarus.

Back in 2017, Militarnyi reported that the Ministry of National Defense of Poland reported an increase in the number of personnel in the Armed Forces from 96,000 in 2015 to 106,000 in 2017.

In 2019, the Polish Ministry of National Defense announced its intention to double the number of national armed forces to more than 200,000. This figure remained relevant until 2024, when it was officially confirmed that the size of the Polish army had exceeded 200 thousand soldiers.

At the same time, in October 2024, adjustments were made to increase the number of troops to 240,000. According to the draft budget for 2025, Poland plans to expand its army to 298,871 people, of whom 241,728 will be military personnel.

According to Dziennik Zbrojny, the budget draft for 2025 provides for the following planned limits for the average annual staffing level of military personnel:

• 150,000 contract servicemen, and another 8,028 contract servicemen will be trained;
• 44,000 soldiers of territorial defense;
• 35,000 soldiers of voluntary basic military service and 4,700 soldiers of voluntary service who will be in training;
• 30,000 active reserve soldiers, of whom 5,000 will be on duty on specific days;
• 57,143 civilian employees.

Poland Wants Army Of 500,000 People - Militarnyi

The Polish government is considering increasing the size of the armed forces to 500,000 people.

militarnyi.com

...

I reckon that if we don't figure things out on our own time the risk is we work to someone else's schedule.

 

[Kirkhill]

Normal career progression above the rank of Cpl and 2Lt sees Reservists delivering alot training as part of their leadership development, so probably not a great idea at that level.

However, getting a grip on the epic jug frig that is the typical annual training cycle like establishing meaningful training goals and a progressive plan to achieve them including delivering some kind of mission aligned culminating exercise program, as opposed to just doing whatever the hell the ARes CBG Comd and their unqualified staff cabal mates want to do, might be something the Reg F can help with.

Beyond a poorly managed CAX every couple of years, it might also be a great idea for the Reg F to help deliver some relevant and consistent Pro D for Officers and SNCOs. Referring to these people as 'useless clag', and unceremoniously ushering them away after they deliver their troops for some kind of Level 3 or 4 collective training event is probably not doing alot to increase the skills of this important leadership cohort.

Some of my most effective learning was done preparing lessons for the guys I was responsible for training. I had good supervisors, that were also part time soldiers.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Reg F 100%. Growth in the cbt arms should primarily come from the reserve.

At present combat arms reseve units can really only be counted on to augment the regular force at section level - and you would really need to be careful with any section commanders in a leadership role.

 

[Fabius]

More soldiers, more money. Canada’s top soldier extols benefits of spending boost

Canada’s top soldier is looking forward to a boost in military spending that includes a pay raise for military personnel at a time when uncertainty on the world stage is high.

www.ctvnews.ca

Latest comments from the CDS

 

[MilEME09]

More soldiers, more money. Canada’s top soldier extols benefits of spending boost

Canada’s top soldier is looking forward to a boost in military spending that includes a pay raise for military personnel at a time when uncertainty on the world stage is high.

www.ctvnews.ca

Latest comments from the CDS

This part stuck to me

“We have additional positions that are also approved and as time goes by and we are close to our ceiling we will add additional forces.”

Sounds like we have been pre-approved to increase in size once we get closer to the current cap.

 

[Navy_Pete]

More soldiers, more money. Canada’s top soldier extols benefits of spending boost

Canada’s top soldier is looking forward to a boost in military spending that includes a pay raise for military personnel at a time when uncertainty on the world stage is high.

www.ctvnews.ca

Latest comments from the CDS

I was just about to post this after reading it. That's very different than 20% immediately, and delaying it to the fall or winter is going to really piss a lot of people off. Plus last time they did something to spec pay they made level 1 more or less irrelevant, compared to the additional level of training and effort required to get it.

I'm not complaining about my pay as a 2 and a half that's topped out the table, but would get a 15% bump just doing the same kind of job in the PS, and higher on the private side, so the pay rate is still over on a the 'cons' side of things when I look at moving on to something else. Really just a specific project keeping me in at this point, and hoping to run that out until hit the annuity then walk away.

 

[Fabius]

I found this part most interesting. Sounds like the pay difference between junior and senior ranks is going to shrink.
After this is all done and CFHD is taken into account I wonder what the difference between Cpl and Sgt will be.

Carignan said the amount of the pay hike will depend on a soldier’s rank and allowances will be allocated to specific trades where CAF needs more people.

“For example recruiting and training is a priority. We want to make sure we encourage instructors in our schools so they’re going to be additional benefits as an example,” she said.

 

[YZT580]

...

Poland Wants Army Of 500,000 People - Militarnyi

The Polish government is considering increasing the size of the armed forces to 500,000 people.

militarnyi.com

...

I reckon that if we don't figure things out on our own time the risk is we work to someone else's schedule.

so in 5 years they doubled and they ordered the commensurate kit, vehicles and weapons included to achieve it. Amazing what you can do when you have family members who remember when...... isn't it.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I have a feeling they're going to pump up junior ranks pay to attract numbers and count on senior NCMs and officers to be too financially insecure to leave.

 

[markppcli]

That’s going to be deeply problematic. You’re essentially telling your SNCOs you don’t value them, or the extra work they do. That said if Cpls and Sgt’s make the same does that mean Cpls will contribute to gift funds now?

 

[MilEME09]

I was just about to post this after reading it. That's very different than 20% immediately, and delaying it to the fall or winter is going to really piss a lot of people off. Plus last time they did something to spec pay they made level 1 more or less irrelevant, compared to the additional level of training and effort required to get it.

I'm not complaining about my pay as a 2 and a half that's topped out the table, but would get a 15% bump just doing the same kind of job in the PS, and higher on the private side, so the pay rate is still over on a the 'cons' side of things when I look at moving on to something else. Really just a specific project keeping me in at this point, and hoping to run that out until hit the annuity then walk away.

Bureaucracy still has to work, TB has to do its thing as well

 

[FJAG]

I have some opinions about LFRR...

Join the club. A seriously squandered opportunity once again brought about by fighting the alligators rather than focussing on draining the swamp.

 

[Halifax Tar]

I found this part most interesting. Sounds like the pay difference between junior and senior ranks is going to shrink.
After this is all done and CFHD is taken into account I wonder what the difference between Cpl and Sgt will be.

I have a feeling they're going to pump up junior ranks pay to attract numbers and count on senior NCMs and officers to be too financially insecure to leave.

That’s going to be deeply problematic. You’re essentially telling your SNCOs you don’t value them, or the extra work they do. That said if Cpls and Sgt’s make the same does that mean Cpls will contribute to gift funds now?

I think they have to be very careful here. And I think you all raise valid points.

 

[dapaterson]

Join the club. A seriously squandered opportunity once again brought about by fighting the alligators rather than focussing on draining the swamp.

Squandered by putting it under Res F personnel with no knowledge or understanding of the CAF or government.

 

[Dana381]

Is there any chance we will get sealift capacity out of this new spending plan?

Would it count toward NATO spending to partner with a cargo operator to fund a couple ships to be called up on short notice to provide sealift?

I know the Oilers are supposed to handle some of the sealift but taking them off refueling task to provide sealift would be unideal IMO.

 

[Fabius]

I think they have to be very careful here. And I think you all raise valid points.

Interestingly the difference between max standard Cpl and max standard Sgt is $887.

Shrinking that doesn’t seem like a great idea.

As for allowances for specific positions, ie instructors; I am not sure I am supportive of it. If an individual had a greater ability to control their postings I would be supportive but that’s not the case. The branches, corps, and regiments control that far more than the individual.

Perhaps an allowance for mobility would be better institutionally if we aren’t going to enable individuals to control their postings more. Reward overall mobility vs specific positions.

 

[FJAG]

Squandered by putting it under Res F personnel with no knowledge or understanding of the CAF or government.

Fitch? He was RegF and the project's manager from 2001 on - but regardless, I always wondered why there isn't a more traditional project director and project manager relationship for these types of projects. Fitch was described as the project manager with a background as a military engineer with minimal ARes experience (commanding LFWA). I'm hard pressed to see how one could do project direction without a mixed team of RegF and ARes or a project management team without strong RegF and DM staff.

I continue to be adamant that building a strong, viable ARes force will require, in the initial phase, hybridization involving a large commitment of RegF leadership to raise the bar until close to self-sufficiency can be reached. IMHO, self-sufficiency cannot be achieved above the major and MWO level because of the very heavy training and experience time commitment required to reach LCol and CWO rank. There are ways to achieve that, including using a modified Class B service, but fully manned and fully equipped ARes units will need fully trained and full-time leadership.

 

[rmc_wannabe]

More soldiers, more money. Canada’s top soldier extols benefits of spending boost

Canada’s top soldier is looking forward to a boost in military spending that includes a pay raise for military personnel at a time when uncertainty on the world stage is high.

www.ctvnews.ca

Latest comments from the CDS

https://www.reddit.com/r/https%3A//www.reddit.com/r/CanadianForces/s/oThYqKRuQQ

 

[PrairieFella]

At present combat arms reseve units can really only be counted on to augment the regular force at section level - and you would really need to be careful with any section commanders in a leadership role.

100%. Any growth needs to come with equipment, training and lots of exercising to ensure they can be employed properly.