Army Reserve Restructuring

[MilEME09]

Yes but my point is if we wish to increase the size of the CAF it makes sense to try and attract people to join.

If part of attracting people is reflecting their cultural identity then isn’t that a easy price to pay?

Take the Sikhs for example, there is around 1 million in Canada. They have a martial tradition and it is a respected profession for them. Yet we don’t have a huge Sikh population in the CAF. Could a Sikh inspired regiment help change that?

Alternatively being told they have to join the insert ‘Highland Regiment’ if they wish to join the Reserves might turn them away. Much like how if they had a Highland regiment where I am it would attract me (as it reflects my heritage).

I think there are better ways to attract people in certain cultures then a cop out ethnic regiment. Sikh's for example have a proud history of military service, and it is seen as very honorable in their culture. We just need to make it as an option, and there are very inexpensive ways to increase visibility too, example lets get the media at every medal Ceremony at Rideau hall, instead of just releasing CANFORGEN's, lets actually get stories out there for people earning medals for bravery, merit, etc

 

[Kilted]

I don't think that the government would touch that with a ten foot pole. A certain parade comes to mind.

Has there been any consideration to standing up some more ‘ethnic’ (for lack of a better term) themed Army Res units? Might help with recruiting from specific cultures if they see some of their military traditions reflected.

Something like the 1st Brampton Sikh regiment, or the Vancouver Chinese rifles? Obviously like our Highland or Irish regiments (which at this point aren’t ethnically very Scottish or Irish) it is open to all, but just seeing certain ethnic martial heritage reflected in the military might encourage those groups participation.

 

[daftandbarmy]

I don't think that the government would touch that with a ten foot pole. A certain parade comes to mind.

This one? (You're welcome )

Military on defensive after soldiers wrongly given guns for Sikh parade

OTTAWA — The Canadian military is scrambling to explain why a group of soldiers was issued weapons to march in a Toronto parade on Sunday for Canada’s Sikh communit…

torontosun.com