CF Transformation & the Operational Commands (Merged)

[Teddy Ruxpin]

I like how all this reorganization is being fitted around "disaster response" - what are we, the Parks Service?

It's the flavour of the month and is what the civvies like to hear right now.  If you look at the US NORTHCOM site, you'll see much of the same (albeit with a "warfighter" angle - it IS American, after all).

potential terrorist attacks

It doesn't say much about this, but think about it.  What's CANADACOM's relationship with NORAD going to be?  What about the new SOFCOM (when established)?  Yup, the public likes us to be seen filling sandbags (and there is a disturbingly large constituency in the CF that does too), but there is a lot more to this than meets the eye.

Silly me, I thought that money might go into something like more soldiers, more deployments, better training, better kit...

You have read the other threads (and this one) connected with this plan, right?

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

Infanteer they can call it Ring around the Possy.   If it gets us more streamlined and better able to do what's asked of us who cares how they sell it.

 

[muffin]

But GO!!! has a point - if I sign a Class C contract for 3 years, am I not just becoming a regular?

OK - I saw some stuff in here about Reservists wanting to apply for some of the new Transformations positions - so I thought I would post this message I got here at work to help them out.

Canforgen 181-05

UNCLASSIFIED
CANFORGEN 181-05 ADM (HR-MIL) 181 301421Z DEC-05

CANFORGEN 181/05 ADM(HR-MIL) 094 301421Z NOV 05
CL B RES EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES - CF TRANSFORMATION
PROTECTED A
REFS: A. NDHQ INSTR ADM (HR-MIL) 20/04 01 DEC 04, ADMIN POLICY OF CL A, B AND C RES SVC 
B. CFIRP 05/06, ADDENDUM 9 
C. VCDS LETTER 1901-1 (DFPPC 9-3) 14 MARCH 2002, TEMPORARY RESERVE POSITIONS IN REGULAR FORCE UNITS -
CHANGE IN FUNDING AND ESTABLISHMENT GUIDELINES
1. IN KEEPING WITH CDS PRINCIPLE SIX, WHICH CALLS FOR CLOSER INTEGRATION OF REGULAR, RESERVE AND
CIVILIAN PERSONNEL IN THE EXECUTION OF ASSIGNED MISSIONS, RESERVISTS WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO
NEW ESTABLISHMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE CREATED AS PART OF CF TRANSFORMATION, IE:
A. STRATEGIC JOINT STAFF (SJS), NDHQ OTTAWA
B. CANADA COMMAND (CANADA COM) HQ OTTAWA
C. CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES COMMAND (CEFCOM) HQ OTTAWA
D. CANADIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES COMMAND (CANSOFCOM) HQ OTTAWA
E. GENERAL SUPPORT (GS) FORMATION HQ OTTAWA
F. JOINT TASK FORCE (JTF) PACIFIC HQ VICTORIA
G. JTF PRAIRIE HQ EDMONTON
H. JTF CENTRAL HQ TORONTO
I. JTF EASTERN HQ MONTREAL
J. JTF ATLANTIC HQ HALIFAX
K. JTF NORTHERN HQ YELLOWKNIFE
2. IT IS CLEAR THAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF RESERVISTS WILL BE
REQUIRED IN THE ABOVE ESTABLISHMENTS HOWEVER, DETAILS REGARDING POSITIONS ARE NOT YET
AVAILABLE. RESERVISTS INTERESTED IN BEING CONSIDERED FOR EMPLOYMENT AT THE ABOVE-
MENTIONED UNITS/LOCATIONS ARE TO FORWARD A NOMINATION (SEE PARA 7 BELOW) THROUGH THEIR
RESPECTIVE CHAIN OF COMMAND TO DMHRR. A SELECTION BOARD WILL BE CONVENED TO MATCH
APPLICANTS TO POSITIONS BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS (APPROPRIATE BLEND OF
PROFESSIONAL/MILITARY/ACADEMIC AND OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE) AND REQUIREMENTS. FOLLOWING
THE SELECTION BOARD, OFFERS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR SPECIFIC POSITIONS WILL BE ISSUED FOR
CONSIDERATION BY APPLICANTS
3. DETAILS OF EMPLOYMENT AS FOLLOWS:
A. POSNS TO BE FILLED WILL BE PRIMARILY IN THE J3 (OPERATIONS), J4 (LOGISTICS) AND J5 (PLANS
AND POLICY) SECTIONS OF EACH HQ ALTHOUGH PERSONNEL QUALIFIED FOR J1 (PERSONNEL), J2
(INTELLIGENCE), J6 (COMMUNICATIONS), J7 (DOCTRINE AND TRAINING) J8 (FINANCE), AND HQ
ADMIN/SP WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED
B. POSNS ARE PRIMARILY AT THE OFFICER LEVEL, BUT SOME NCM OPPORTUNITIES EXIST AT ALL RANK
LEVELS
C. EMPLOYMENT TO COMMENCE AS SOON AS FEB 06, DEPENDING ON STAFFING AND MEMBER S
AVAILABILITY
D. PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT: THREE YEARS, WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION, UNLESS SHORTER
TERM REQUESTED BY MEMBER
4. ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS ARE AS FOLS:
A. RANK: CPL/LS TO COL/CAPT(N)
B. MOS ID: ANY
C. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH ESSENTIAL, FRENCH DESIREABLE EXCEPT FOR JTF EASTERN WHERE FRENCH
IS ESSENTIAL, ENGLISH DESIRABLE. BILINGUILISM AN ASSET
D. SECUR CLEARANCE LEVEL: AT OR ABILITY TO ATTAIN LEVEL II
E. HEALTH: MEET MIN OCCUPATION MED CAT
F. PHYSICAL FITNESS: MUST HAVE VALID EXPRESS TEST PASS OR ACHIEVE PASS PRIOR TO
COMMENCEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT
G. EXPERIENCE AND QUALS: DEPENDENT OF THE TYPE OF POSN. FOR STAFF/PLANNING POSN THE
PREFERRED APPLICANT WOULD HAVE THE FOLLOWING: 

(1) CF OR ALLIED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF EMPLOYMENT TO INCLUDE AN
UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATIONAL PLANNING PROCESS 

(2) OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE DESIRABLE 

(3) STUDY OR WORK EXPERIENCE IN SECURITY, DEFENCE, STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, OR SIMILAR AREA AN ASSET 

(4) HOWEVER, ANY OTHER SKILL SETS WILL BE CONSIDERED ACCORDINGLY
5. RATIONS, QUARTERS, ACCOMMODATION AND/OR MOVE OF DHG AND E:
A. WILL DEPEND OF LOCATION
B. THE INTENT IS TO AUTH COST MOVE, IR OR SCA FOR MEMBERS SELECTED TO FILL CLASS B
POSITIONS OF ONE YEAR OR MORE AND WHO MEET THE CRITERIA AT REF B
6. CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
A. IAW REF A, PREFERENCE TO MEMBERS OF THE RES, THEN REG F WHO WISH TO CT TO P RES
B. MEMBERS OF THE P RES SELECTED FOR RESERVE POSITIONS THROUGH THIS PROCESS TO BE
RETAINED ON THE ESTABLISHMENT (UNIT OR PRL) OF, AND ADMINISTERED BY, THEIR PARENT P
RES ELEMENT
C. OTHER MEMBERS OF THE RES AND REG F SELECTED FOR RESERVE POSITIONS THROUGH THIS
PROCESS TO BE TRANSFERRED/ATTACHED-POSTED TO THE NDHQ PRL FOR ADMINISTRATION
PURPOSES
D. ATTEMPTS WILL BE MADE TO MEET APPLICANTS EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCES BUT THE OVERRIDING
CRITERION WILL BE THE NEEDS OF THE CF
E. RESERVE PERSONNEL SELECTED FOR EMPLOYMENT IN SJS OR OP HQS SHOULD EXPECT, DURING
THE COURSE OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT, TO BE ROUTINELY SHIFTED BETWEEN THE VARIOUS STAFF
SECTIONS AS THEY GROW IN EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCY
7. NOMINATIONS: MUST BE SENT VIA CHAIN OF COMD TO DMHRR 2-2 BEFORE 30 DEC 05 AND MUST INCLUDE:
A. SN, NAME AND RANK
B. CURRENT UNIT
C. SECOND LANGUAGE PROFILE AND, IF AVAIL, TESTING DATES
D. SECUR CLEARANCE LEVEL AND DATE
E. DATE AND CATEGORY OF LAST MEDICAL AND ANY MEDICAL EMPLOYMENT LIMITATIONS IF
APPLICABLE
F. CF EXPRESS COMPLETION DATE OR DATE SCHEDULED TO BE TESTED
G. RESUME DESCRIBING MEMBERS QUALS AND EXPERIENCE (INCLUDING HIGHEST LEVEL OF
EDUCATION COMPLETED)
H. MEMBERS PREFERENCES WRT LOCATION AND TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT
I. DATE MEMBER WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO COMMENCE EMPLOYMENT
J. PERSONAL REFERENCE (MILITARY REFERENCES PREFERED)
K. CONFIRMATION OF WHETHER OR NOT MEMBER IS IN RECEIPT OF A PENSION UNDER THE CFSA, OR
WHETHER OR NOT MEMBER IS A FORMER CONTRIBUTOR TO THE CFSA
L. ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFO THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY THE SELECTION BOARD (PERSONAL
LIMITATIONS AFFECTING SERVICE PERFORMANCE, ETC.)
8. SELECTION WILL BE BASED ON FILE REVIEW (INCL PERS FILE, RESUME, ETC). WHERE FURTHER INFORMATION
IS REQUIRED INTERVIEW MAY BE CONDUCTED/COORDINATED
9. OPI: MAJ MICHEL PROTEAU, DMHRR 2-2, TEL NUMBER 613-992-5852, FAX 613-992-2238

 

[darmil]

Why does everything have to be in Ontario.Too bad  :'(

 

[geo]

I.  JTF EASTERN HQ MONTREAL
some 30+ individuals volunteers were interviewed so far. 20+ were selected and will be starting in Jan 06. Other individuals within Puzzle Palace are being shuffled around to meet requirements.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I'd follow Hillier anywhere.

 

[career_radio-checker]

I'd follow Hillier anywhere.

Even to the bathroom? 

 

[Bobbyoreo]

I'd follow him pretty much anywhere as well. I had the chance to meet and talk with the man a few times overseas and he is down to earth tells it like he sees it. I've never met an officer that made any sence...be he did. Glad we finaly have a person in the CDS spot that is not afraid to tell it like it is.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Even to the bathroom? 

Even to the bathroom

Spend time with someone like that and you see someone with a vision who cares about Canada and her soldiers very much.

If people are saying "what war" how can you educate them on what's going on in the world today? You can't.

 

[Haggis]

He is making some enemies, both internally and externally, but that is what happens when you try to change a military institution and a national way of thinking.

The one thing I fear about our current CDS is that his visions will not be allowed to reach fruition due to internal and external poliitcking.

The Regular Force is in need of a makeover.  The Reserves are, quite simply put, broken.  The Department is a bureaucrats nirvana of policy, order, counter-order disorder, delay and obfuscation.  It's this last poiint that makes me fear for the CDS's plan, since many of those bureaucrats wear uniforms.

 

[COBRA-6]

The one thing I fear about our current CDS is that his visions will not be allowed to reach fruition due to internal and external poliitcking.

The Regular Force is in need of a makeover.   The Reserves are, quite simply put, broken.   The Department is a bureaucrats nirvana of policy, order, counter-order disorder, delay and obfuscation.   It's this last poiint that makes me fear for the CDS's plan, since many of those bureaucrats wear uniforms.

I also worry about this. Too many people intent on remaining king of their molehill, regardless of said molehill's necessity or utility.

 

[Good2Golf]

Naw, I figure he'll get a lot of momentum going in 3-4yrs time.  There are rumblings that we will be seeing a slew of "early retirements" this spring/summer....

 

[buzgo]

I keep overhearing Majors, LCols and Cols bitching on the elevators around NDHQ, and I heard some muttered comments during the last 'town hall' the CDS gave - there seems to be a fair amount dissent. I hope that there is a house cleaning. IMHO there is alot of deadwood laying about in the CF. The CDS is on the right track and needs our support to make transformation a success.

Oh, and what kind of senior officers would be so BLATANTLY disloyal in front of a MCpl. They get developing for 'Leading Change' this year!

 

[COBRA-6]

I keep overhearing Majors, LCols and Cols bitching on the elevators around NDHQ, and I heard some muttered comments during the last 'town hall' the CDS gave - there seems to be a fair amount dissent. I hope that there is a house cleaning. IMHO there is alot of deadwood laying about in the CF. The CDS is on the right track and needs our support to make transformation a success.

Oh, and what kind of senior officers would be so BLATANTLY disloyal in front of a MCpl. They get developing for 'Leading Change' this year!

Deadwood indeed. Bring on the chainsaws!

 

[Haggis]

I keep overhearing Majors, LCols and Cols bitching on the elevators around NDHQ, and I heard some muttered comments during the last 'town hall' the CDS gave - there seems to be a fair amount dissent. I hope that there is a house cleaning. IMHO there is alot of deadwood laying about in the CF. The CDS is on the right track and needs our support to make transformation a success.

It all depends on if they are perceived as being disloyal to "the leader" or "the institution".  They may, for whatever reason, think that this change is "bad".  Leaders come and go but the instituton is perpetual (and perpetuated by those it serves).  Some may think that all they have to do is outlast Gen Hillier and then the status quo will return.

Oh, and what kind of senior officers would be so BLATANTLY disloyal in front of a MCpl. They get developing for 'Leading Change' this year!

BTW you're not alone. I hear it too, as a MWO.   Thankfully it is diminishing.

 

[Gunner]

I keep overhearing Majors, LCols and Cols bitching on the elevators around NDHQ, and I heard some muttered comments during the last 'town hall' the CDS gave - there seems to be a fair amount dissent. I hope that there is a house cleaning. IMHO there is alot of deadwood laying about in the CF. The CDS is on the right track and needs our support to make transformation a success.

My personal favorite is "rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic".

Don't confuse concern with the CDS's plans with disloyalty, they are not one and the same.  We work based on the commander's intent using mission command in order to accomplish the mission or the task given to us, rather than CF automatons blindly carrying out the exact orders given by the CDS.  While I fully support General Hillier approach and believe he is moving in the right direction, however, we must also make sure that the end result does not break the CF for years to come nor interfere with our ability to train soldiers, sailors and airmen and woman.  These two approaches are not mutually exclusive as long as the CDS's intent is maintained. 

 

[Michael Dorosh]

My personal favorite is "rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic".

Don't confuse concern with the CDS's plans with disloyalty, they are not one and the same.   We work based on the commander's intent using mission command in order to accomplish the mission or the task given to us, rather than CF automatons blindly carrying out the exact orders given by the CDS.   While I fully support General Hillier approach and believe he is moving in the right direction, however, we must also make sure that the end result does not break the CF for years to come nor interfere with our ability to train soldiers, sailors and airmen and woman.   These two approaches are not mutually exclusive as long as the CDS's intent is maintained.    

You forgot to use the word "synergy" in there somewhere...

That all seems rather vague; can you give some specifics of what you think he might break, or how the ability to train might be impacted?  I guess the one that seems obvious to me is overdeploying soldiers at the expense of training others - is that the kind of thing you're referring to?

 

[sheikyerbouti]

Since the "Titanic' is sinking, would it not make sense to have someone rally the troops around a suitable plan for moving forward?

A return to fiscal stability and the need for the Federal government to demonstrate its' relevance means the CF has some room to manouevre with respect to its future sustainability. The question that arises for me, is whether or not we are creating one operational, and essentially, a second static force for some limited capability domestic involvement.

 

[Gunner]

That all seems rather vague; can you give some specifics of what you think he might break, or how the ability to train might be impacted?  I guess the one that seems obvious to me is overdeploying soldiers at the expense of training others - is that the kind of thing you're referring to?

I'll give you an example that was sorted out in late Nov/early Dec.  Each area maintains a battalion sized Immediate Response Unit (IRU) for domestic emergencies and capable of responding in a 8/12/24 hour manner (recce, vanguard company, main body).  The ownership of this unit (and ready duty ships and aircraft) pitted the new Force Employment HQs (specifically Canada Command in this case) versus the Force Generation HQs (army, navy and airforce).  Canada COM wanted ownership in order to provide guidelines on training requirements for domestic operations, the ability to exercise the unit(s), etc.  The army argued that they had to maintain ownership of the unit as we typically double hat the IRU with many other roles.  For example, a unit may be the IRU but at the same time are running courses to preapare to deploy overseas, participate in a CPX, even conducting collective training outside of their normal garrison location.  It was finally decided that Canada COM would not take on any force generation responsibilties and would remain focussed on force employment.  In other words, the army would generate trained forces for employment with Canada COM and CEFCOM. 

An interesting scenario that was discussed several months ago could also have been a unit that is detailed as an IRU (under Canada COM) and is also preparing for deployment overseas (under CEFCOM) and is supporting the running of certain individual training courses (under the army).  Whose 3 star mission/direction takes priority for the unit?

Hope that helps.

 

[Gunner]

Since the "Titanic' is sinking, would it not make sense to have someone rally the troops around a suitable plan for moving forward?

A return to fiscal stability and the need for the Federal government to demonstrate its' relevance means the CF has some room to manouevre with respect to its future sustainability. The question that arises for me, is whether or not we are creating one operational, and essentially, a second static force for some limited capability domestic involvement.

I wouldn't say the Titanic is sinking but one of the concerns was where the PYs were coming from to man these new formations and units.  Particularly since they are not looking for privates/corporals or Lieutenants/Captains. 

We are moving in the right direction and what has been articulated repeatedly is the soldier on the ground should not witness much if any difference.  Units will be fed by the army into force employment structures and fed back into to the army to reconstitute, reequip and train for the next operation.