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

Again I don't know how the internal CAF structure works but I would think a full time repair shop manned by either reg force or civilian mechanics should be responsible for maintenance and repairs of Res force assets. If DND wants reserve personal to learn repairs and maintenance they can be sent to the repair facility to learn from the full time mechanics.

My suggestion would be to implement something similar to "Military Technician" programs in the US militaries.


MilTechs (or ARTs in the USAFR, ) are "dual status" civilian employees whose terms of employment require them to be active members of the Reserve or National Guard. Their Monday to Friday job is on civilian salary (including typical civil service benefits including retirement) even though they can wear uniform while at work. When they attend the scheduled Reserve or NG activities of their unit (one wkend a month, two week annual training, deployments, etc) they are paid in the same manner as all the other Reserves or Guardsmen. There is a connection between their technician job and the rank/position they hold in the military. They fill many different positions including maintenance and hold ranks from pte/spec up to general officers. Many years ago, I was at a mess dinner at Travis AFB where the guest of honor was the Chief of Air Reserves (MGen) who was an ART. At one time my now-ex (she was USAF Reserve) was interviewed for a position as the commanding officer of a mortuary affairs unit that they were trying to establish on the West Coast; one of the requirements was that she had to go reserve technician.
 
My suggestion would be to implement something similar to "Military Technician" programs in the US militaries.


MilTechs (or ARTs in the USAFR, ) are "dual status" civilian employees whose terms of employment require them to be active members of the Reserve or National Guard. Their Monday to Friday job is on civilian salary (including typical civil service benefits including retirement) even though they can wear uniform while at work. When they attend the scheduled Reserve or NG activities of their unit (one wkend a month, two week annual training, deployments, etc) they are paid in the same manner as all the other Reserves or Guardsmen. There is a connection between their technician job and the rank/position they hold in the military. They fill many different positions including maintenance and hold ranks from pte/spec up to general officers. Many years ago, I was at a mess dinner at Travis AFB where the guest of honor was the Chief of Air Reserves (MGen) who was an ART. At one time my now-ex (she was USAF Reserve) was interviewed for a position as the commanding officer of a mortuary affairs unit that they were trying to establish on the West Coast; one of the requirements was that she had to go reserve technician.

An example of a job posting for an Army National Guard Military Technician, and specifically a vehicle technician (or in DOD speak, SURFACE MAINTENANCE MECHANIC (Title 32))

Duties
NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. This is an excepted position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the Connecticut Army National Guard
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
National Guard Membership is required.
Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
Must meet Compatible Military Assignment within one year from placement.
Wear of the military uniform is mandatory
.
Direct Deposit is mandatory.
Must possess a valid state drivers license.
Qualifications
GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Experience or training which demonstrates knowledge of equipment to be able to do routine jobs, simple preventative maintenance tasks, and is able to use common tools and equipment in the line of work.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Your resume and any other supporting documentation you wish to provide must clearly substantiate you currently possess 6, 12 or 18 months of specialized experience in the following:

WG-05 REQUIRES 6 MONTHS:
Experience or training using common hand tools in making repetitive repairs under close supervision.
Experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the simpler and routine duties of the trade.
WG-08 REQUIRES 12 MONTHS:
Experience or training using common hand and power tools and a small variety of test and measurement devices to make mechanical repairs.
Experience removing, adjusting, replacing, cleaning, and installing a variety of parts, components, and accessories.
Experience which demonstrates a basic understanding of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic theory applying to vehicles; and skill to replace, fit, install, and make adjustments.
Experience demonstrating an understanding of the makeup and operation of the various individual systems maintained and their interrelationships.
Experience reading and interpreting parts lists, manufactures' repair manuals, diagrams, and electrical schematics.
WG-10 REQUIRES 18 MONTHS:
Experience or training diagnosing, repairing, overhauling, and modifying more complex vehicles, equipment, and more complicated systems.
Experience which has provided a thorough knowledge of diagnostic equipment.
Experience applying independent judgment in determining methods and techniques required to solve unusually complex maintenance and repair problems.
Experience in testing, inspecting, and evaluating the work performed on vehicles, equipment and systems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the mechanical makeup, operation, and working relationships of complex systems, assemblies, and parts for a variety of combat, tactical, commercial, special purpose vehicles and equipment.
Ability to diagnose, repair, overhaul, and modify a variety of combat, tactical, commercial, special purpose vehicles and equipment.
Knowledge of electrical, electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other non-mechanical systems that have a functional relationship and effect on the operation of mechanical systems.
Knowledge of hydraulic lifting, loading, turning, and positioning systems and their mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic controls.
Knowledge of electronics, sufficient to identify and replace defective components, such as sensors, diodes, and circuit boards.
Ability to repair or overhaul major components such as diesel, multi-fuel or gasoline engines, turbine engines, automatic and manual transmissions, drive line assemblies, electrical and electronic systems and accessories, fuel injection systems, and emission control systems.
Skill to use a wide variety of test and diagnostics equipment to perform fault isolation and conduct repair of combat, tactical, commercial, special purpose vehicles and equipment.
Ability to operate and understand original equipment manufacturer computerized diagnostic equipment and embedded diagnostics.
Ability to utilize, interpret and apply parts list, manufacturer's repair manuals, technical manuals, diagrams, engineering drawings, diagnostic computer information, and schematics.
COMPATIBLE MILITARY ASSIGNMENT: All applications will be considered regardless of Branch/AOC/FA/MOS. Incumbent will be required to be assigned to compatible military position within 1 year of selection. The selected individual may be required to attend formal technician school training
Duties
NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. This is an excepted position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the Connecticut Army National Guard.

MILITARY GRADE (Prior to Application): Enlisted: E-2 through E-7
UNIT OF ASSIGNMENT: Any unit within the state
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: This position is covered by the medical monitoring program. Individual selected must undergo a preemployment physical examination prior to appointment. For positions requiring the operation of motor vehicles, candidates must have a valid state driver's license for the state in which they live or are principally employed.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: Training at the National Guard Professional Education Center (NGPEC) is a mandatory condition of employment, subject to availability of resources. NGB prescribed courses at NGPEC must be completed within 6 months of assignment to this position. Failure to complete course(s) may result in reassignment or termination of full-time employment unless extenuating circumstances preclude course attendance.
Education
No substitution of education for specialized experience.

Additional information
Primary Change of Station (PCS) relocation expenses will NOT be paid

And for shits and giggles an example of a USAF job posting for an Air Reserve Technician officer position that specifically requires the individual to be a Colonel Nurse and also a current qualified aircrew flight instructor.

THIS IS AN AIR RESERVE TECHNICIAN OFFICER POSITION.
This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) Officer position located at 452 AEROMED EVAC SQ with the military rank of Col, AFSC: X046F3. For questions concerning military eligibility please contact the Air Force Reserve Qualification Center at 1-800-257-1212.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: The work experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. At the GS-11 and above grade level, many positions may require experience in a specialty area of nursing performing nurse duties in the flight environment on all mission design series aircraft used by the aeromedical evaluation; instructing flight nursing for ground and in-flight training; provide staff management and standardization of aeromedical evacuation units and training programs. ADDITIONALLY, I am a current and qualified crewmember at the aircrew flight instructor qualification level. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your official transcripts, nursing license, and AF Form 8(Certificate of Aircrew Qualifications)
 
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So the Reserves can't train techs, nor can they hire techs.

Is that what I am getting here?

In which case Reserve Maintenance Platoons and Companies are a non-starter.

Service Battalions would then be restricted to Supply and Transport Companies. No?

I think its important for us to be honest about what a part timer can and can't get proficiently trained in.

If a trade course is longer than a summer break from school its probably a trade that shouldn't be open to reservists.
 
Umm, AESOps fly in the Primary Reserve…

The RCAF does things a bit differently. We insist our reservists are trained to the same standard as the Reg F folks.

PRes where available. Kinda hard to be an AESOp outside of a handful of places. That's my point.
 
I think its important for us to be honest about what a part timer can and can't get proficiently trained in.

If a trade course is longer than a summer break from school its probably a trade that shouldn't be open to reservists.

Or needs to be trained on some kind of shorter (~1 yr) full time commitment.
 
Or needs to be trained on some kind of shorter (~1 yr) full time commitment.

If a trade is technical enough that it needs more than a couple months to train, it probably also needs hundreds of mentored hours to become technically competent in post trades school.

That cant be offered on a reserve training night a week + a weekend ex.

Again we need to be honest about what we can expect from a 1 week night a week, 1 weekend a month and maybe an FTSE reservist.
 
If a trade is technical enough that it needs more than a couple months to train, it probably also needs hundreds of mentored hours to become technically competent in post trades school.

That cant be offered on a reserve training night a week + a weekend ex.

Again we need to be honest about what we can expect from a 1 week night a week, 1 weekend a month and maybe an FTSE reservist.
The difference for the Air Res is they can do up to 14 days a month Class A working on a RegF Sqn's hangar floor or in the air, and regularly do that. So it makes sense for them to have more technical trades in the reserves. They are essentially part time, in the same way that someone who's working at Tim's or Home Depot is. Another way to look at it is, most of the Air Res is people who are almost retired, but not fully retired.

That sort of training and employment model doesn't translate well to the A Res or Nav Res.
 
Supply tech is one of trades where it takes fours years to get trained because of how the courses are scheduled.

That's generally the same for the Reg force. An MMT will do basic, then their QL3. Posted to their first job, complete a QL4 OJT package. And are then nominated and waiting to be course loaded on a QL5. That will take 3 - 4 years from enrollment.

QL6 is currently our last trades course and required to be a substantive PO2. So much further down the line.

Or are is your point more about CFLTC course scheduling ?
 
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The difference for the Air Res is they can do up to 14 days a month Class A working on a RegF Sqn's hangar floor or in the air, and regularly do that. So it makes sense for them to have more technical trades in the reserves. They are essentially part time, in the same way that someone who's working at Tim's or Home Depot is. Another way to look at it is, most of the Air Res is people who are almost retired, but not fully retired.

That sort of training and employment model doesn't translate well to the A Res or Nav Res.

I really like how the RCAF does reserves. And I like how they embrace folks who still have work to give, but cant handle the full time commitment anymore.
 
I would say they choose not to train Techs, so therefore they have a hard time hiring them.

I think they could have an awesome setup. If they contracted out their Mechanic work to local shops but in turn hired some of those Mechanics to be Reservists maybe in the CBT Arms. Then offer Apprenticeships to people with a commitment to serve.

Maybe, but they really need to work on that also.
Keep in mind one reason why many Reservists end up in Svc BNs is because they failed the vision requirements to get into the Cbt Arms. This is how I ended up there, as did most the people I served with.

If a trade is technical enough that it needs more than a couple months to train, it probably also needs hundreds of mentored hours to become technically competent in post trades school.

That cant be offered on a reserve training night a week + a weekend ex.

Again we need to be honest about what we can expect from a 1 week night a week, 1 weekend a month and maybe an FTSE reservist.
There could be multiple options for training.

I have always liked the idea of having the option of a 1-2 year training schedule when some joins for the more technical trades. Market it as a gap year(s) for students finishing high school to figure out what they want to do with life without the commitment of full time service post training.

Yes there is the potential of needing more time wrenching post training, that being said I am the opinion that your better having trained techs who need more experience than no one in general.

Much like how in the event of war we can pull in a bunch of civilian trades, they just need the military experience.
 
Keep in mind one reason why many Reservists end up in Svc BNs is because they failed the vision requirements to get into the Cbt Arms.

I didn't wear glasses. Just preferred to join the Service Corps as a driver.

MOSID OCCUPATION V CV H G O A

Infantryman 3 3 3 2 2 5

Mobile Support Equipment Operator 3 2 3 3 3 5

 
There could be multiple options for training.

I have always liked the idea of having the option of a 1-2 year training schedule when some joins for the more technical trades. Market it as a gap year(s) for students finishing high school to figure out what they want to do with life without the commitment of full time service post training.

Yes there is the potential of needing more time wrenching post training, that being said I am the opinion that your better having trained techs who need more experience than no one in general.

Much like how in the event of war we can pull in a bunch of civilian trades, they just need the military experience.

Schooling is useless without the practical application afterword's. I can teach an MMT how to MIGO all day long at CFLTC, but if they go back to their unit and end up folding MOD tentage for the next 2 years that time has been wasted and skill fade has set in hard.

I think the truth is some trades are just too technical to be done on a part time basis, really less than part time if the member stays class A. I would put that more as occasional. Wartime... In wartime our whole Log/ADMIN train will be proven to be ridiculously bureaucratic and cumbersome and will be forcefully adjusted. That's my prediction.

If we want Svc Bns full of civi side mechanics who will devote their off hours to fixing our stuff we better be ready to pay up, and not dick them around. Even then I'm not sure you're going to get many. If I was a parts guy at MacPhee Ford I wouldn't want my reserve job to be MMT.
 
Schooling is useless without the practical application afterword's. I can teach an MMT how to MIGO all day long at CFLTC, but if they go back to their unit and end up folding MOD tentage for the next 2 years that time has been wasted and skill fade has set in hard.

I think the truth is some trades are just too technical to be done on a part time basis, really less than part time if the member stays class A. I would put that more as occasional. Wartime... In wartime our whole Log/ADMIN train will be proven to be ridiculously bureaucratic and cumbersome and will be forcefully adjusted. That's my prediction.

If we want Svc Bns full of civi side mechanics who will devote their off hours to fixing our stuff we better be ready to pay up, and not dick them around. Even then I'm not sure you're going to get many. If I was a parts guy at MacPhee Ford I wouldn't want my reserve job to be MMT.

If people only joined the Reserves because they can get a comparative wage to their civvie job then the whole PRes would collapse.
 
I think its important for us to be honest about what a part timer can and can't get proficiently trained in.

If a trade course is longer than a summer break from school its probably a trade that shouldn't be open to reservists.
There are two options:

1) review the trade requirements into "must knows" and "could and should knows." Reorganize the course so that "must knows" are taught to everyone and the RegF course continues on to the others (also change the training syllabus so that reservists are trained six days per week and ten hours per day rather than 5 and 7.5); and/or

2) modularize and go multi year. A course coupled with community college realistically gives you three summers of military training.

Regardless of the CoA, there must be a requirement for obligatory service after the training to allow for a recoup of value for money spent. Training people on anything for the summer and then letting them leave in September is a) plain stupid; and b) a tremendously poor business model that only the government would accept.
Schooling is useless without the practical application afterword's. I can teach an MMT how to MIGO all day long at CFLTC, but if they go back to their unit and end up folding MOD tentage for the next 2 years that time has been wasted and skill fade has set in hard.
There's a lot of truth in that which is why exercises after DP1 training should be set specifically to stop, or at least, slow down skill fade.
I think the truth is some trades are just too technical to be done on a part time basis, really less than part time if the member stays class A. I would put that more as occasional. Wartime... In wartime our whole Log/ADMIN train will be proven to be ridiculously bureaucratic and cumbersome and will be forcefully adjusted. That's my prediction.
The adjustment needs to be there pre war-time. I think you are putting your finger on an important distinction between the vision the army has for its reservists and the vision it should have. One does not train a reservist to get some form of work out of them afterwards on a part-time basis. You train them so that when the need to mobilize them comes they are already trained and can be quickly brought up to speed and put into service. The RegF is obsessed with getting work/service out of Class As. That's an unrealistic expectation.
If we want Svc Bns full of civi side mechanics who will devote their off hours to fixing our stuff we better be ready to pay up, and not dick them around. Even then I'm not sure you're going to get many. If I was a parts guy at MacPhee Ford I wouldn't want my reserve job to be MMT.
I agree. We shouldn't want that. ARes svc battalions should have a given amount of RegF. The amount is dependent on how many of them are needed to maintain the brigade's equipment holdings on a full-time basis and, concurrently, how many are needed to administer the unit and train the Class As to be the battalion's mobilization base.

🍻
 
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If people only joined the Reserves because they can get a comparative wage to their civvie job then the whole PRes would collapse.

Its not about what they join for its about what is going to make them keep putting that cadpat uniform on thursday night after thursday night. To spend another 4 hours doing what they already for 8 hours that day.
 
There are two options:

1) review the trade requirements into "must knows" and "could and should knows." Reorganize the course so that "must knows" are taught to everyone and the RegF course continues on to the others (also change the training syllabus so that reservists are trained six days per week and ten hours per day rather than 5 and 7.5); and/or

2) modularize and go multi year. A course coupled with community college realistically gives you three summers of military training.

Regardless of the CoA, there must be a requirement for obligatory service after the training to allow for a recoup of value for money spent. Training people on anything for the summer and then letting them leave in September is a) plain stupid; and b) a tremendously poor business model that only the government would accept.

I agree with you.

How do you do obligatory service on a class A reservist ?

Hence why I think some trades, technical I am really looking at you, shouldn't be offered in the reserves.

There's a lot of truth in that which is why exercises after DP1 training should be set specifically to stop, or at least, slow down skill fade.

I think CSS soldiers need more than a weekend ex to keep up skill fade.

The adjustment needs to be there pre war-time. I think you are putting your finger on an important distinction between the vision the army has for its reservists and the vision it should have. One does not train a reservist to get some form of work out of them afterwards on a part-time basis. You train them so that when the need to mobilize them comes they are already trained and can be quickly brought up to speed and put into service. The RegF is obsessed with getting work/service out of Class As. That's an unrealistic expectation.

I agree. We shouldn't want that. ARes svc battalions should have a given amount of RegF. The amount is dependent on how many of them are needed to maintain the brigade's equipment holdings on a full-time basis and, concurrently, how many are needed to administer the unit and train the Class As to be the battalion's mobilization base.

I think ARes Svc Bns should be mainly full time organizations providing real time tactical and garrison sustainment to their supported units. Fever dream, I know.
 
I know every thread on this site eventually has to devolve into the discussion of how we make vehicle techs viable in the Army Res for the glory of having vehicle techs in the Army Res, but maybe one day we could exercise some restraint by taking that discussion back to one of the threads it already owns. This is a nano-frivolous detail in the big scheme of what a 2% GDP or 3.5% GDP CAF should look like and be capable of.
 
Schooling is useless without the practical application afterword's. I can teach an MMT how to MIGO all day long at CFLTC, but if they go back to their unit and end up folding MOD tentage for the next 2 years that time has been wasted and skill fade has set in hard.

I think the truth is some trades are just too technical to be done on a part time basis, really less than part time if the member stays class A. I would put that more as occasional. Wartime... In wartime our whole Log/ADMIN train will be proven to be ridiculously bureaucratic and cumbersome and will be forcefully adjusted. That's my prediction.

If we want Svc Bns full of civi side mechanics who will devote their off hours to fixing our stuff we better be ready to pay up, and not dick them around. Even then I'm not sure you're going to get many. If I was a parts guy at MacPhee Ford I wouldn't want my reserve job to be MMT.
There are solutions to many of the issues. Why would a Heavy Duty Mechanic who is making $50-75hr work as a Mechanic in the Reserves for less then half that an hr on weekends? They more then likely wont.
What you might be able to do is Hire that person to be Armored cavalry who drives around and operates that piece of Equipment on the weekends. Gets some great training, experience and first hand knowledge. Then the company they work for maintains that same piece of equipment through the week. Hopefully that Mechanic/ Tech gets not only a great working knowledge of that equipment, they also get a excellent knowledge on maintaining it. If we ever have to Deploy to War we can choose to employ the person as either Calvary or Mech/Tech. Or all three as the case maybe.
This can fix some of the concerns and issues we have locally in the smaller Regions where there is only a Reserve Unit with out Direct Regular Force Support.
Someone is going to mention what about the sensitive (security and physically) equipment. Most larger and some smaller areas have Instrument Techs/E Techs Civilian side who can learn to fix and maintain these systems. Worse Case the Regular Force can send MRT crews out to assist.
Right now I would want more people knowing how to fix and maintain this equipment incase things go south.

There is always solutions to things, they may not be perfect or ideal in every case. But they do open the possibilities for subtle change. Is what we need now.
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