Army Reserve Restructuring

[daftandbarmy]

I interviewed quite a few reservists who went over (including reserve officers incidentally). Almost to a man they complained about the homecoming. They were separated almost instantly from the guys they had just shared the most intense year of their life with and felt quite alone (unless they were lucky enough to have a buddy from the same unit who went over at the same time). The problem was identified early on but never fixed.

Thank you for your service through 100+ contacts...

And then the (never deployed) CO and RSM unload on you because you're wearing a coyote coloured dump pouch and don't have scrim on your helmet ...

... because that's the most important thing

 

[FJAG]

And then the (never deployed) CO and RSM unload on you because you're wearing a coyote coloured dump pouch and don't have scrim on your helmet ...

Funny story. The only complaint of that type was from a RegF MWO who was pissed because the stay-at-home RSM told the MWO to get himself and his returning boys to get back into Woodland and stop wearing the Arid tan around base. They thought they'd earned a few days to show off. The RSM thought otherwise.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Every Roto is Roto Zero.

Brother, I have done 5 Op Reassurance's and no truer words have been spoken...

 

[Brad Sallows]

The problem was identified early on but never fixed.

My recollection is that at some point "remain with the unit for a month after return to Canada" was implemented.

 

[daftandbarmy]

My recollection is that at some point "remain with the unit for a month after return to Canada" was implemented.

At one point I suggested we install a revolving door at the armoury so we didn't cause extra wear and tear on the infrastructure

 

[Rifleman62]

Interesting observation as my Son had some interesting stories here in Halifax after his tours . It seems the PLF sent many non commissioned to the Sandbox but very few of the Professional Student Officer's went. LOTS of tension and far less discipline or respect from the guys that went towards the Student/Officers.

Sort of reminds me of the RESO programme. Great training, but the candidates only commanded their peers, not soldiers.

In some cases they found it difficult on a weekend FTX. They did not understand that the soldiers were not as knowledgeable as their fellow candidates on their RESO course.

Seldom went to the annual MILCON as they were on course. Commanding a Pl for 2 days or so is a lot different than a week.

 

[FJAG]

My recollection is that at some point "remain with the unit for a month after return to Canada" was implemented.

I hadn't heard that and Mark is writing the chapters for the last few years. I'll see if he's come across that.

 

[Brad Sallows]

I hadn't heard that and Mark is writing the chapters for the last few years. I'll see if he's come across that.

If he doesn't, dig deep. I know people first-hand. At most the policy might have been unofficial.

 

[FJAG]

If he doesn't, dig deep. I know people first-hand. At most the policy might have been unofficial.

That can happen. Another complication is that many of the returning RegF folks after a tour went on leave in short order anyway so it's pretty much six of one and half a dozen of the other.

There's a key area where the CAF needed to concentrate on and that is post-tour administration including medical assistance for reservists. For the most part returning reservists are located in cities or towns where such services aren't provided. In some cases, even if there was a facility, the staff there (since they weren't at one of the six or so major military bases used to dealing with deployed regulars) the staff had little in the way of information as to how to deal with reservists.

I have no idea if or how the system has improved since organizations are quick to forget wartime lessons when war stops.

 

[FJAG]

If he doesn't, dig deep. I know people first-hand. At most the policy might have been unofficial.

I've just hear back from Mark.

"In all the interviews Kevin and I did—many with reservists and also battery group commanders and task force commanders—nobody mentioned this. A constant stated regret was that the reservists were basically just sent back to their unit with some not even returning with the unit to its home base.

I doubt there was any policy to allow reservists to stick with the unit or Kevin and I would have heard of it in those interviews."

I think that you are right. Any circumstances like you describe must have been unofficial.

I know that in most of the people I talked to (the pre 2009 crowd) they went straight back to their home units and given 3.5 paid days (What bean counter comes up with a number like that?) which, in some cases, resulted in them being put to GD work in the armouries like sweeping floors etc.

I have to capsulize and generalize, but in my years of experience I sum up the RegF attitude to reservists as "what have you done for me today?" Almost everyone loved the Class C reservists that they had with them on deployment. And in Ottawa everyone loves the Class Bs in their cubicles. OTOH, the general attitude towards Class As doing their training at the armories is that they are wastrels consuming resources that could be better used elsewhere. It's a challenge.

 

[daftandbarmy]

I have to capsulize and generalize, but in my years of experience I sum up the RegF attitude to reservists as "what have you done for me today?" Almost everyone loved the Class C reservists that they had with them on deployment. And in Ottawa everyone loves the Class Bs in their cubicles. OTOH, the general attitude towards Class As doing their training at the armories is that they are wastrels consuming resources that could be better used elsewhere. It's a challenge.

Probably because the Reg F usually engaged more with the people at my rank level + than the NCMs