Army Reserve Restructuring

[MilEME09]

Question: what Canadian company could manufacture 300,000 hoodies?

AI Overview

Several Canadian companies, or companies with strong Canadian operations, have the capacity or the business model to handle a large order of 300,000 hoodies, either through domestic manufacturing or integrated global sourcing.

Key potential manufacturers and suppliers include:

HNGPromo: This company is located on Vancouver Island and explicitly states it produces "over 300,000 custom screen printed and embroidered items per year". They are a direct manufacturer/decorator with the existing capacity to handle this volume.
Iconic Apparel House: Described as one of the "Best custom clothing manufacturers in Canada," they offer wholesale custom hoodies with competitive pricing and can handle bulk orders.

Calhoun: With over 50 years in the Canadian clothing industry, Calhoun maintains a strong Canadian manufacturing footprint, with much of the design, printing, and finishing taking place in Ontario. They are known for their sweatshirts and hoodies and are equipped for large-scale production.

Gildan Activewear Inc.: A major Canadian manufacturer of blank activewear, including hoodies, which are subsequently decorated by screen printing companies. While they might not do the final decoration in-house for you, they are a massive Canadian-owned and operated supplier of the blank product itself.

MVFA: MVFA works with full cut & sew facilities in Toronto, Canada, and also has global strategic partnerships for import production, offering flexibility for a large order like 300,000 units.

Jerico: An ethical Canadian manufacturer committed to high-quality, sustainable apparel made and sewn in Canada, suitable for brands that prioritize domestic and socially conscious production.

For a large order of 300,000 units, contacting these companies directly to discuss production capabilities, timelines, and logistics is the recommended next step.

...

Clothing solved.

And justly treated.

Everybody always attended Remembrance Day services, regardless of religion.

Accelerated production of all the new kit, GM defense milcot 2.0, rochel senators, LAV 6 and ASCV, have Colt mass produce C8A4. Done there is the kit, order enough to equip 400k troops

 

[Remius]

But Scottish isn't a religion, Sikhism is. How do you have a religious regiment in a country that is supposed to be secular? How do you have a religious regiment that doesn't expect or only allow its members to be practitioners of that religion? Why are we targeting 1 million Canadian Sikhs with a bespoke religious regiment when there are 19 million Canadian Christians, or 1.8 million Canadian Muslims.

True but highland regiments kit is full of religious iconography.

 

[FJAG]

Meanwhile, the pondering continues... apparently ponderously

DND scrambles to figure out how to mobilize and equip a citizens' army: documents​

Supplementary reserve of 300,000 citizens envisioned​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/army-mobilization-canada-troops-9.7009323

I think that this is an interesting exercise that needs doing.

The whole issue of mobilization has been ignored for many decades as part of the "alligators ... drain the swamp" conundrum that keeps the CAF focused on today's problems with only lip service paid to how to grow for "tomorrow." Yup. It's government's fault to a large extent but also DND's.

This is an industrial-level problem needing an industrial-level solution. I'm betting even money we'll end up with something cheap and ineffective because . . . Canada.

 

[Eaglelord17]

But Scottish isn't a religion, Sikhism is. How do you have a religious regiment in a country that is supposed to be secular? How do you have a religious regiment that doesn't expect or only allow its members to be practitioners of that religion? Why are we targeting 1 million Canadian Sikhs with a bespoke religious regiment when there are 19 million Canadian Christians, or 1.8 million Canadian Muslims.

I am talking about targeting a whole lot more than 1 million Sikhs, I am talking about targeting all sorts of different ethnic and religious groups to meet the manning required. Specifically targeting groups with large populations in specific areas. Targeted recruitment. Sikhs also fit in a weird place as there is a movement for their own country and culture beyond being simply religious. Whatever you choose to call the regiments, so be it, but the intent would be to attract such members. Whether it is the 1st Khalistani rifles, or 1st Punjab rifles whatever name you wish to apply.

We also aren't a secular country, whoever told you that lied to you. We don't promote any religion above another (anymore) however considering our national anthem literally has a rallying cry for god in it 'Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, Il sait porter la croix!' or 'For your arm knows how to bear the sword, It knows how to bear the cross!', and the charter has the preamble of "recognizing the supremacy of god", saying we are completely secular would be a lie.

In this day and age I do not understand why we need any facet of the CAF having any cultural links to anything other than Canadian. But if we are going to have Scottish regiments I don't see how you can argue against other cultures wishing to raise their own.

There is more Scott descended people in the US but I don't see them needing to have men in skits with funny hats pretending they have some linkage to the Victorian era British regimental system.

In divisive times we need to search for similarities not differences.

The way groups started thinking of themselves as Canadian was seeing themselves reflected as Canadians. We aren't a melting pot. It starts with a blend, like a Scottish Canadian regiment and over time the identity changes to be simply Canadian. What is Canadian is also changing as well.

Clearly many minority groups don't really wish to join the CAF. They don't see themselves reflected in there. I don’t blame them, it is very out of place for what they would be used to. Different language, culture, attitudes, iconography, traditions, and food. Small things make people feel welcome and if we want to grow to the size they are talking, they should really consider how to tap into these different groups.

As time progresses the British/French roots we have will be less and less relevant to the population. Trying to tie into other cultures will ultimately enhance the CAF not diminish it.

If anything our British focus could even be harming recruitment from said groups as many regions considered them the oppressors not the good guys.

Woah Woah are you suggestion the Victorian view of elevating certain ethnic groups as "martial races" might be a flawed premise for recruitment in 2025?

Considering the Sikhs consider themselves 'saint-soldiers' hence why they always carry the Kirpan on them, saying they are a martially based group isn't exactly Victorian as much as it is a self identifier. Failing to recruit them isn’t due to a cultural stigma of the military in general, but it might be due to a stigma of OUR military.

 

[Kirkhill]

Accelerated production of all the new kit, GM defense milcot 2.0, rochel senators, LAV 6 and ASCV, have Colt mass produce C8A4. Done there is the kit, order enough to equip 400k troops

Plan B

300,000 Ranger kits with C8s
The next 50,000 4x4 longbed crewcabs of the production lines painted feldgrau (it seems to be a popular colour just now).

100,000 ARES kits with all company weapons
Vehicles to emphasize GMD LUVs and ISVs, Roshel Senators with lightest armour configuration and BvS10s.
Front Line vehicles and heavy weapons to be bought for war stock and made available for training purposes.

Regs... whatever they need.

 

[foresterab]

Or we get rid of the current regimental construct. Issue 1 uniform and accouterments to all infantry regiments and just number them.

1st Regiment of Canadian Infantry
2nd Regiment of Canadian Infantry
3rd Regiment of Canadian Infantry
... and so on and so on.

And now you can even freely post soldiers between the regiments as holes need filling and career progression dictates.

I often think of the pain the British Army went through...and for the most part I tend to agree with your sentiment.

Regular Force...remove the regimental mafia and you are Canadian Army Unit 1 -9. If the British Army can take their Highland Units and merge 6 historic battalions into the Royal Regiment of Scotland or 4 Gurkha units into the The Royal Gurkha Rifles why can't Canada do something similar?
My bigger concern is I don't think there is enough Reg. Force staff to properly fill a wartime Division + HQ/admin taskings and off the cuff would say 3 more units should be re-activated up just for Infantry. The last few years of WW1 often talk about the difference in Division sizes within the British units (75% of the Canadian Corps) and how the larger Canadian units were a key factor in some of the successes....but instead we're planning for being short staffed before combat losses which frankly scares me.

Reserve Force - I still think of a provincial linkage (personal preference) and activation of those units who align with proivncial name and/or key region/city within. So I have no problems with Company A (Toronto Scottish) or Company B (Lake Superior Regiment) being a sub force part of the Ontario Regiment (or Division given the number of units involved). A Maritime Division, Quebec Division, Ontario Division and Western Canadian Division or some alignment there of to form a second Corp to back up the Reg force.

Civilian Force - I don't want to call them Canadian Rangers but this is more what I think of. Lightly equiped, minimal war stocks needed but provide a critical mass of formed presence to handle and assist other taskings. Brigades? of Patrols? I'm trying to find terminolgy that doesn't confuse the existing structure of Army/Corps/Division/Battalion/Company. And this might be a better linkage to provincial based description based upon Geographic location vs. Task based assignment for Regular/Reserve forces.

 

[daftandbarmy]

I think that this is an interesting exercise that needs doing.

The whole issue of mobilization has been ignored for many decades as part of the "alligators ... drain the swamp" conundrum that keeps the CAF focused on today's problems with only lip service paid to how to grow for "tomorrow." Yup. It's government's fault to a large extent but also DND's.

This is an industrial-level problem needing an industrial-level solution. I'm betting even money we'll end up with something cheap and ineffective because . . . Canada.

It will be hard to do mainly because the CAF is so completely disconnected from Canadian Society, as well as other government departments, and this will require a 'Whole of Government' approach or it will most certainly fail.

"War is too important to be left to the generals."

- Georges Clemenceau

 

[markppcli]

Considering the Sikhs consider themselves 'saint-soldiers' hence why they always carry the Kirpan on them, saying they are a martially based group isn't exactly Victorian as much as it is a self identifier. Failing to recruit them isn’t due to a cultural stigma of the military in general, but it might be due to a stigma of OUR military.

You should probably just google "martial races," to understand the context of what im referring to.

 

[Kirkhill]

I think that this is an interesting exercise that needs doing.

The whole issue of mobilization has been ignored for many decades as part of the "alligators ... drain the swamp" conundrum that keeps the CAF focused on today's problems with only lip service paid to how to grow for "tomorrow." Yup. It's government's fault to a large extent but also DND's.

This is an industrial-level problem needing an industrial-level solution. I'm betting even money we'll end up with something cheap and ineffective because . . . Canada.

If we do end up with something cheap and ineffective then at least we wil have something and we will discover how much it costs and how effective it is.

Then we can't start with some realistic GAP analyses and Risk-Benefit assessments with useful costing.

The lasting alternative is Joni's Clouds. We have spent decades pondering both sides now.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I am talking about targeting a whole lot more than 1 million Sikhs, I am talking about targeting all sorts of different ethnic and religious groups to meet the manning required. Specifically targeting groups with large populations in specific areas. Targeted recruitment. Sikhs also fit in a weird place as there is a movement for their own country and culture beyond being simply religious. Whatever you choose to call the regiments, so be it, but the intent would be to attract such members. Whether it is the 1st Khalistani rifles, or 1st Punjab rifles whatever name you wish to apply.

We also aren't a secular country, whoever told you that lied to you. We don't promote any religion above another (anymore) however considering our national anthem literally has a rallying cry for god in it 'Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, Il sait porter la croix!' or 'For your arm knows how to bear the sword, It knows how to bear the cross!', and the charter has the preamble of "recognizing the supremacy of god", saying we are completely secular would be a lie.


The way groups started thinking of themselves as Canadian was seeing themselves reflected as Canadians. We aren't a melting pot. It starts with a blend, like a Scottish Canadian regiment and over time the identity changes to be simply Canadian. What is Canadian is also changing as well.

Clearly many minority groups don't really wish to join the CAF. They don't see themselves reflected in there. I don’t blame them, it is very out of place for what they would be used to. Different language, culture, attitudes, iconography, traditions, and food. Small things make people feel welcome and if we want to grow to the size they are talking, they should really consider how to tap into these different groups.

As time progresses the British/French roots we have will be less and less relevant to the population. Trying to tie into other cultures will ultimately enhance the CAF not diminish it.

If anything our British focus could even be harming recruitment from said groups as many regions considered them the oppressors not the good guys.

Considering the Sikhs consider themselves 'saint-soldiers' hence why they always carry the Kirpan on them, saying they are a martially based group isn't exactly Victorian as much as it is a self identifier. Failing to recruit them isn’t due to a cultural stigma of the military in general, but it might be due to a stigma of OUR military.

A lot of the ethnic groups not joining the military has a lot to do how their old country military behaved and who they recruited. For Persians the PS and CAF are seen as "Lesser careers" for people who are lazy and not smart enough for business.

 

[OldSolduer]

Meanwhile, the pondering continues... apparently ponderously

DND scrambles to figure out how to mobilize and equip a citizens' army: documents​

Supplementary reserve of 300,000 citizens envisioned​

The Department of National Defence is scrambling to figure out how it will clothe, equip and train hundreds of thousands of new reservists envisioned under an ambitious mobilization proposal that Canada’s top military commander describes as a work in progress.

Similarly, in what may be an ominous sign of the times, the department has established a key position dedicated solely to growing the military in the event of a major crisis.

Internal documents obtained by CBC News show the military buildup will, at the moment, proceed slowly because the defence industry is either overwhelmed — or not equipped for the ramp-up.

While Canada had various mobilization schemes during the first and second world wars, the new director general position is — according to a defence expert — the first of its kind and faced with the daunting mission of delivering 100,000 reserve soldiers and an additional 300,000 citizen soldiers in a supplementary reserve, should the need arise. That would be on top of an estimated 85,500 regular — or full-time — force of soldiers, sailors and aircrew.

"Existing supply chains, inventories and personnel systems are already at capacity," says an internal slide deck presentation, dated July 2025, from the Defence Department’s material branch.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/army-mobilization-canada-troops-9.7009323

i thought that was canned. Its a stoooopid idea.

 

[Blackadder1916]

You should probably just google "martial races," to understand the context of what im referring to.

An interesting, recent (2021) monograph about martial race theory from School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth. By a Canadian officer.

Martial Race Theory in Contemporary Operational Planning

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/trecms/pdf/AD1161141.pdf

 

[Kirkhill]

i thought that was canned. Its a stoooopid idea.

War is a stupid idea.
But it happens.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Accelerated production of all the new kit, GM defense milcot 2.0, rochel senators, LAV 6 and ASCV, have Colt mass produce C8A4. Done there is the kit, order enough to equip 400k troops

You might also have to redefine "War Stock". Besides ammunition, you are going to need webbing, boots, uniforms and a lot of basic item. Which also means you need temperature controlled secure warehouses to put them in. Things like webbing does not have to be current issue, but "good enough". Start issuing contracts for the firearms, they are made, tested and them packed in preservative copying the Soviet style, same with ammunition, those sealed tins last a long time.