I was thinking of a clever way to answer this, and went to dictionary.com and came up with these:
1 One who serves in an army.
2 An enlisted person or a noncommissioned officer.
3 An active, loyal, or militant follower of an organization.
4 a. A sexually undeveloped form of certain ants and termites, having large heads and powerful jaws.
#4 made me laugh, because if you replace "ants and termites" with "men and women" it is pretty bang on.
I understand the argument that because CADPAT has become the dress of the day, CIC should receive it, and I think the majority of people accept it. I have issues with it, as CIC are members the CF, but there is no requirement for a CIC to have a camouflage uniform, as it is meant for combat. If they call the CIC to go to war, I would imagine that we have hit the bottom of the barrel, so to speak. Not that I've looked too closely, but I haven't seen any Canadian Rangers with CADPAT, and I would be more inclined to see them wearing it than CIC. Here's some info (snipped) from the DND site on their scale of issue:
What equipment and dress are Canadian Rangers provided?
The Canadian Ranger uniform is based on the concept that the Rangers, being outdoors people, are well equipped and able to survive in their environment. Rangers are issued only minimal Canadian Forces equipment and clothing. Their uniform consists of a red Ranger sweatshirt, T-shirt, ball cap, brassard, vest and toque.
I think the whole argument about there being very little in the way of OD combats leftover (to issue to CIC) is a pile of steaming hot shite. If we were to assume that every member of the CF had 2 pair before we switched to CADPAT, that would be 160,000 sets (based on a military of 80,000 (60000 Reg, 20000 Res). Plus all the war stock, etc, etc. So, let's say, even at the low end, 100000. Let's say 50% weren't serviceable (but considering I was forced to wear "negligee" combats (see through) for a long time,, I would be inclined to say "tough shit" if that constitutes unservicable), that leaves us at 50000. Hell, lets say only 25% were servicable, that's 25000. Now, with 6600 CIC officers (number given earlier in this thread), we could give them 4 pairs each (some would only get 3, but tough luck to them). Yes, I am forgetting about size issues, but so does the CF, and there are people who get paid big money to think about that, so I think I can be excused, as I am not one of those people. So, there's that issue. Would it be a burden on the supply system? Well, they already exist, so keeping a bunch of pairs on a shelf won't kill them. They stock maternity clothes, and that is for a fairly small segment of the CF (ie service women who are pregnant at any given time), so the old OD combats shouldn't be a problem.
After that exercise in futility, I feel a bit worn out..... Again, the original question has been answered by many, and whether or not we agree means little or nothing (like all decisions made by our hierachy). Personally, I think it's strictly a matter of kit envy, and the fact that it looks "cool". I doubt there was this much hubbub when the lovely camoflage army work dress came out. We were looking for ways NOT to wear it. I
will be torqued if I see
ONE CIC officer wearing the CADPAT ICE (goretex) jacket before I get mine (the majority of pers in Gagetown haven't received it yet) :threat: , or again, if their is even one "real" soldier (ie one that goes to the field and gets wet.... not one who "needs" it to wear between their car and their office..... don't get me going on that....) that doesn't get it before a CIC officer.
Al
