Army Reserve Restructuring

[Kirkhill]

About 6-8,000 probably

And next year another 6-8,000, and 6-8,000 the year after.

In five years you have a reserve force of 30-40,000 with slots in a military organization and 10 weeks basic plus Class A service.

 

[MilEME09]

And next year another 6-8,000, and 6-8,000 the year after.

In five years you have a reserve force of 30-40,000 with slots in a military organization and 10 weeks basic plus Class A service.

Really if you want a self sustaining reserve force, it needs to be double the size it currently is, with the terms of service we have. In order to have a sustainable pool of instructors who can regularly go to the schools. You wouldn't even need new units or anything, just expand current ones, perhaps making regiments actually a regiment.

 

[FJAG]

 

[markppcli]

I wouldn’t call PCF - Bde Ex - PCF - Op Lentus - Live Ex - PCF - Work Up - Deployment “a rest” but maybe that’s just perspective from those of us still doing this job.

 

[Halifax Tar]

I wouldn’t call PCF - Bde Ex - PCF - Op Lentus - Live Ex - PCF - Work Up - Deployment “a rest” but maybe that’s just perspective from those of us still doing this job.

Agreed on all points. In was an out of touch statement that brings nothing to the discussion.

Well said.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I wouldn’t call PCF - Bde Ex - PCF - Op Lentus - Live Ex - PCF - Work Up - Deployment “a rest” but maybe that’s just perspective from those of us still doing this job.

In the timeframe that was drawn, post war reg force duty would have looked easy.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Sitrep....

The Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman has long been fighting to have Reservists who deploy abroad and domestically recognized and compensated with the same benefits available to the regular force. So far it has been an uphill battle.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Sitrep....

The Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman has long been fighting to have Reservists who deploy abroad and domestically recognized and compensated with the same benefits available to the regular force. So far it has been an uphill battle.

What recognition and compensation are reservists not entitled too that reg force members are while deployed domestically or abroad ?

Honest question. Im looking to be educated here.

 

[Remius]

What recognition and compensation are reservists not entitled too that reg force members are while deployed domestically or abroad ?

Honest question. Im looking to be educated here.

“While deployed domestically or abroad” is the part of your question that has the answer.

Things typically end when the class C ends. And while the rules and higher ups may say otherwise, people interpret it that way. Only “while”.

One member in my unit, wounded in Afghanistan was refused service because he was no longer on class C. Took a bit of yelling from our RSM at the time on location making a scene for someone to get their heads out of their asses.

I’m pretty sure these are not isolated incidents.

 

[PrairieFella]

“While deployed domestically or abroad” is the part of your question that has the answer.

Things typically end when the class C ends. And while the rules and higher ups may say otherwise, people interpret it that way. Only “while”.

One member in my unit, wounded in Afghanistan was refused service because he was no longer on class C. Took a bit of yelling from our RSM at the time on location making a scene for someone to get their heads out of their asses.

I’m pretty sure these are not isolated incidents.

Happens all the time. Another example is denial of service for being a reservist despite being entitled to said service, like base dental as an example.

 

[Halifax Tar]

“While deployed domestically or abroad” is the part of your question that has the answer.

Things typically end when the class C ends. And while the rules and higher ups may say otherwise, people interpret it that way. Only “while”.

One member in my unit, wounded in Afghanistan was refused service because he was no longer on class C. Took a bit of yelling from our RSM at the time on location making a scene for someone to get their heads out of their asses.

I’m pretty sure these are not isolated incidents.

That's not cool. Thanks for the explanation.

Service injuries should remain the obligation of the service for ever. Regardless of the class of service of a member.

 

[Eaglelord17]

Happens all the time. Another example is denial of service for being a reservist despite being entitled to said service, like base dental as an example.

I remember a buddy got 4 of his teeth knocked in on course by tripping and falling into the tailgate of a truck.

Military refused to pay for it, argued that his teeth were already a bit messed up previously and therefore he had to pay out of pocket 100% for the new fake teeth, as though they weren’t knocked out in service.

Poor guy was a college student doing the Reserves. He didn’t have money, thats why he was away on course. Ended up costing him more money in dental than he made on the course.

 

[PrairieFella]

I remember a buddy got 4 of his teeth knocked in on course by tripping and falling into the tailgate of a truck.

Military refused to pay for it, argued that his teeth were already a bit messed up previously and therefore he had to pay out of pocket 100% for the new fake teeth, as though they weren’t knocked out in service.

Poor guy was a college student doing the Reserves. He didn’t have money, thats why he was away on course. Ended up costing him more money in dental than he made on the course.

Happens all too often. Reservists can be a little passive with these things and just accept the bullshit because you don't want to rock the boat and be that "fucking reservist".

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Improving benefits would make Reserve duty more attractive

 

[FJAG]

I'm generally not one to argue for more pay or benefits as I believe the ultimate way of fixing the reserves is with equipment, a proper role and the appropriate training.

But I do believe that there are a number of factors at play here where the CF can do better.

When it comes to medical care we have two problems - a general belief that reservists are properly looked after during their "off duty" time by the provincial medical system and the fact that there are very few CF medical facilities available where reservists actually live. The system needs to be fully reviewed from top to bottom and all of the gaps closed so that reservists, whether on part-time service or after leaving full-time service continue to be looked after by someone - something in the nature of a medical insurance plan that fills those gaps with private practitioners in the area where the reservist lives.

There are so many more things we could do to make reserve service attractive. For me there is firstly the opportunity to earn a salary for a full summers employment. That needs to be a guarantee, however, and not some vague promise which is then broken by cancelled courses etc.

I also want to see much greater use of educational benefits, like tuitions, lab fees, books etc paid for universities or community colleges for courses that benefit the CF in return for some mandatory full or part time service is next on the list. There is, IMHO, no need to pay a salry during time spent at civilian institutions as long as full summer employment is tied to that.

The final one that I'll mention is a uniform employers legislation that applies across the whole country and has some teeth behind it. Not just for operational deployments (which needs to be strengthened as well) but also (especially) for part-time Class A service that ensures that reservists get time off for mandatory annual training without losing vacation benefits.

There's a lot more fixing that needs doing but those are enough to get the majority of the issues under control.

 

[Halifax Tar]

I'm generally not one to argue for more pay or benefits as I believe the ultimate way of fixing the reserves is with equipment, a proper role and the appropriate training.

Time is money. If you want their time you have to pay them enough for it.

All the cool toys and explosions wont fix that.

Especially when this country has proven multiple times over the last decade or so it has no obligation to care for those who oblige themselves to ruin their bodies and minds in its defence.

 

[dapaterson]

Class A pay should be 40% higher (daily rate) than class B.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Class A pay should be 40% higher (daily rate) than class B.

I like it! Make it so!

 

[FJAG]

Time is money. If you want their time you have to pay them enough for it.

"enough" is a very subjective issue.

All the cool toys and explosions wont fix that.

I beg to differ.

Especially when this country has proven multiple times over the last decade or so it has no obligation to care for those who oblige themselves to ruin their bodies and minds in its defence.

That's a different issue than the two above. I disagree with how you frame the issue but agree entirely with the fact that more could be and should be done. Canada, like other countries, stood up a VA system at the end of the two world wars that were more or less suitable for the times. It no longer is for two reasons - people expect more from the system and the ready availability of social communications makes failings in the system instant and wide spread news. It simply boggles my mind how a no-talent, low-life like Trudeau could get away with a phrase like "Why are we still fighting certain veterans groups in court? Because they're asking for more than we are able to give right now."

 

[Blackadder1916]

Class A pay should be 40% higher (daily rate) than class B.

Or structure it like south of the border. When NGs and reservists do their one weekend a month (Sat & Sun), it is structured as four "drill periods". Each drill period is a full day's pay.