Canada moves to 2% GDP end of FY25/26 - PMMC

[Humphrey Bogart]

The world changes. Setting aside the officer debate, I would argue that so much of what NCMs learn in just about any tech trade, especially those getting Spec pay is pretty damn close to college level. Look at all the electronics trade that did POET. How would those be different from the 1 yr accelerated electronics programs that colleges or private institutions like Devry offer/ed?

On the officer side, I would argue, it's not the paper, it's the process. Presumably, while getting a degree, one develops faculties like communications and critical thinking and quite frankly maturity. I know people will say that we used to have 20 yr old officers in WW2. That is just hard to do today because society and culture have changed. Maturing that individual before you put them in charge of other humans probably has some value.

You want 20 year old platoon commanders for one simple reason: they are still foolish enough and sufficiently immature to carry out unspeakable acts of bravery that an older and wiser person would never even attempt.

 

[Brad Sallows]

You want 20 year old platoon commanders for one simple reason: they are still foolish enough and sufficiently immature to carry out unspeakable acts of bravery that an older and wiser person would never even attempt.

An examination of casualty rates of the various positions in an infantry company should make obvious why a stream of the junior-most officers is needed in wartime, and from there it is a short step to conclude why they're going to be young, expeditiously trained, and inexperienced.

 

[PPCLI Guy]

You want 20 year old platoon commanders for one simple reason: they are still foolish enough and sufficiently immature to carry out unspeakable acts of bravery that an older and wiser person would never even attempt.

"it is not the job of the subaltern to study Regimental History. Their job is to make Regimental history" Apocryphal, but often attributed to Gen Gerald Templer

The RCR Subalterns' manual states that a young officer must both teach and make history.

I prefer the former

 

[daftandbarmy]

The regimental system has its limitations and this is most def one of them. I remember when I had my frank discussion with the Regimental Colonel about this. I had already made the decision that I was going looking for something else and was very transparent that I had no real interest in "following the path". The path didn't seem all that interesting and just wasn't pushing me the way I wanted to be pushed.

that being said, I was always more concerned with accumulating interesting experiences, undertaking physical and mental challenges, and exploration, than career advancement.

My wife calls it ADHD, which is probably accurate.

So, like about 90% of males under the age of 40 then?

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

So, like about 90% of males under the age of 40 then?

Correct

I remember sitting in an HQ around a table with a bunch of 30+ year Majors thinking... this doesn't seem like a future I am really interested in... plugging away away at useless spreadsheets and bureaucratic processes.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Correct

I remember sitting in an HQ around a table with a bunch of 30+ year Majors thinking... this doesn't seem like a future I am really interested in... plugging away away at useless spreadsheets and bureaucratic processes.

... counting out the pensionable days

 

[PPCLI Guy]

Correct

I remember sitting in an HQ around a table with a bunch of 30+ year Majors thinking... this doesn't seem like a future I am really interested in... plugging away away at useless spreadsheets and bureaucratic processes.

The vast majority of staff work consists of Capts and Majs filiing out spreadsheets for Majs and LCols, that Cols and Gens don't need.

The remainder is filling out spreadsheets etc for ideas that are unworkable from Cols and Gens

 

[Kirkhill]

There is nothing new under the sun; accelerated promotion and subsequent appointment to MCpl has been a thing since the 1980s (at least).

How long did it take to earn stripes in 1940?

Don't you know there is a war on?

Sickly seasons and bloody wars and all that.