Compulsary Regular Force Service for Reservists for Deployment Opportunities

[dutchie]

I love the idea Acorn. Especially the point about the Res soldier having to DAG Green prior to offer of contract, the guaranteed tour (or near guarantee), and the offer of immediate CT to the switched on troops at the conclusion of their contract.

Now only if someone with maple leafs on their shoulders read this.....

Some questions - how do you think this proposal would affect the availability of tours to Res soldiers not able/willing to commit to a Flexible Engagement? Do you think this would make it really tough for those troops to get tours? If yes, is that a problem?

As it is right now, the only positions available (for Res augmentees) in the near future are going to be D & S Pl, GD, etc - not rifleman positions. I assume that FE pers would be fully integrated into the Coys, and would get the rifleman positions.

Any thoughts?

 

[Infanteer]

I assume that FE pers would be fully integrated into the Coys, and would get the rifleman positions.

I would imagine so - it would save units from having to cut-and-paste sub-units from other units for deployment; they could fill out with qualified reservists on a FE and, if both parties desired, keep them at the end.

I can guarantee you that the only thing stopping many reservists from jumping over is the hassle of going through the CT process.

 

[Acorn]

Caesar,

The key word is flexible. We should look at the system being able to adapt, within certain limits, to the desires of the reservist who wants to deploy. Perhaps a 10 month contract to cover a simple deployment (a contract which would preclude the offer of streamlined CT) can be used to allow those who simply want a tour, without further commitment.

I would hope that a longer contract would allow Reservists to integrate fully into the rifle companies, sabre squadrons or HA batteries.

One thing, regarding integration, that may have to be taken into account is the acceptability of individuals at that level. In the past a statistically significant number of reservists didn't "cut it" when integrated into Reg line units. Part of the FE should include a probationary period (say 1-2 months) with appropriate gateways to ensure the individual meets the standard. Not achieving certain milestones results in a void contract. The rank of entry will obviously determine the length of the probationary period and the type/number of milestones to be achieved. This would address infanteers concerns about a DP "back door" situation caused by the difference between Res and Reg courses.

Acorn

 

[GO!!!]

Recognising that this discussion is primarily oriented towards the combat arms, I feel compelled to point out that we are not suffering a shortage of crewmen, riflemen, gunners and sappers IN RELATION to the shortages we have in the CSS trades.

Our effectiveness at the sharp end is fine. We need more skilled trades. Is the trg reservist FCS/Wpns/Veh Techs recieve comparable to that of their reg force counterparts? This is where the "main effort" of the CT process needs to be.

As for keeping reservists in the reg force units for 2-3 yrs - a good idea, as the trg cycle for coy ops seems to be approaching 18 months, and as pointed out earlier in this thread, a res Cpl and a reg Cpl can be light years apart in terms of ability and experience.

Cheers

 

[brin11]

GO,

I can answer part of your question in relation to weapons techs.   Reservists do the same training on the QL courses as the reg force in small arms.   The problems crops up that they are not trained on the armament side.   This could certainly be fixed by sending them on a two month armament course to get them up to speed and then their fives for armament only when the time comes.   I really like this idea, the unit gets a trained soldier, they get to "test drive" them for a particular period of time and if the powers that be like them, they get to stay.   It is certainly a little different with CSS personnel but it could be made to work I think.  You may find FCS or MAT techs in a reserve unit but they are all ex reg force.  They are no more in the reserve world.  Hopefully someone on the vehicle side can fill us in on their quals.

 

[c4th]

226,825 posts on army.ca this morning.  When a gem like this comes up, is there anyone over the rank of Major reading?

 

[pbi]

226,825 posts on army.ca this morning.   When a gem like this comes up, is there anyone over the rank of Major reading?

There are at least four of us that I know of.

Cheers.

 

[The_Falcon]

I think your idea has merits Acorn anyway you can send this up the chain to be looked at?

 

[Acorn]

I'm not in a position to have much influence on the Mo. There are others here who do, and if they think it's a worthwhile idea (however unformed), I'm sure they'll kick it upstairs.

I don't think I'm the first though, as I see something similar being applied to Mo contracts for ops.

Acorn

 

[TCBF]

Now that we have dicussed the Mo serving in the Regular Force, lets take that fix and try and get more Regular Force serving in the Regular Force.   We have an astronomical non-effective rate for broken soldiers who aren't even fully trained yet, due to being unfit, or previosly injured.   The recruiting system refuses to accept this is an issue - they don't have to pick up the trash.   We have more busted young soldiers now, than we had busted old soldiers when we had 88,000 in the CF.

So, lets have a flexible engagement for the first year of service for all Regulars.   If the rct is a Med/Admin/Psych burden or "Not Economically Employable", bye bye.   No normal terms of svc benefits, no veterans affairs unless we broke something that wasn't broken before - use workers comp.

Oh, and an interview with a psychiatrist for EVERY applicant who has otherwise been selected.   If the German Bundeswehr can Psych interview 100,000 draftess every year, we can Psych test and interview 5000 recruits.  

Ten more Clayton Matchees, and we won't have an Army.

Tom

 

[RCD]

This could work
.but it would need a complete overhaul of the system!