Correcting the continuing ignorance regarding the NDP (& shots on the Conservatives)

[RangerRay]

So your telling me youve ALL had tan armor vests for over 2 years while all news networks in this country still showed you (or some of you) with green vests? Ive watched everything from global to ctv to cbc... It begs to wonder why they would refuse to show you guys with tan vets after all this time.

Rule #1:  Don't believe everything you see on Kanuckistani TV!

 

[George Wallace]

Do you watch the news?

Why, yes we do.  We watch the news quite often and see stock footage of soldiers taken in action over the last twenty years.  We are often pissed off as hell when we see news on Canadian soldiers with photos and video showing American soldiers.  We get upset when the News person goes on talking about tanks and they show us a wheeled APC.  

I do have a question for you.  Do you think that CBC and CTV have cameramen covering every action that is taken place in Afghanistan, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?  Get real!  They shot some film years ago and rerun it everytime they need to.  

Im not familiar with all military terms.  But that of course irrelevant. We have been seeing and continue to see you guys with dark green armor vests (paint a target on them why dont ya!) on top of tan shirts on tv.

Back to stock footage.  After being told by a soldier who has come back from Afghanistan recently, you still believe in stock footage.  :  My God you are gullible.

I find you guys extrapolate the BS from fringe elements in the NDP (and yes every party has them to a degree) vs the actual motions that get presented and carried at our recent conventions.

Exactly!  Unfortunately most of the NDP are fringe elements, just look at the motions your party was trying to pass in Montreal, until the word became public and the public outcry caused them to do an awful lot of tap dancing to save face.  Still that Vancouver Island riding stuck to their guns.  We do look down on the NDP.

Which btw explains the union spending for peace activists. No union $ is spent without a motion. I should know Im a cupe local pres. We dont spend 10$ without a motion at a union meeting. Be nice to see you guys rant on the billions spent by right wingers and corporations trying to plug our collective skulls with BS. 

Really?  Did the Unions really ask their membership to vote on supporting the CPA and all those Socialist and Islamic groups in their Day of Protest on 28 Oct 06?  Seems that it was news to a lot of Public Civil Servants.


Oh!  On the matter of 5 rounds per year, as told by your MBdr friend.  The minimum that any member of the CF, no matter what Trade, will fire in a qualification shoot is 50 rounds (if I am correct on PWT 1).  I am sure from your statements that your friend may have been a MBdr, not in the CF, but in the Cadets.

I am still confused with who your friend is, as now you seem to have said it is now two different people; one who was in the CF and has now joined the Marines, and one who was a Marine and is now in the CF.  

Your story is becoming rather convoluted.  Your spelling and grammar is going out the window.  You are not listening to people who have actually been in Afghanistan and others who have done much of the work at home, favouring video impressions interpreted by people ignorant of what they are talking about on the news.  Do you ever wonder how easy it is for subversives to infiltrate this nation and bend the populace to their will with BS?  Perhaps you should save up and make a trip outside of Canada and visit some of the places that we are sent to and see for yourself what we have done.  I know it will take some time as I think you are too young to hold a job, nor will your parents apply for a passport so that you can do so.

 

[Teddy Ruxpin]

Lets see how many posts does it take to say im an NDPer who ran for public office and is also a strong supporter of the military (my first post)  if not the right wing views of some of its members. What other info do you need. What are you so afraid of that you need to hunt me down  like a rabid dog fo asking some simple questions.   

But you're not asking questions.  You're posting tripe as "facts" in an effort to prove your point, and are getting upset when you're called on them.

So your telling me youve ALL had tan armor vests for over 2 years while all news networks in this country still showed you (or some of you) with green vests? Ive watched everything from global to ctv to cbc... It begs to wonder why they would refuse to show you guys with tan vets after all this time.

Yes - the flak ("armour") vests are tan.  Period.  You might be seeing the load carrying vest - the small vest worn over the armour to carry ammunition - some are green.  Or, as others have pointed out, you might be seeing old footage.  We don't much care, why do you?

 

[fez]

So are you implying that those who don't agree with you are bad Canadian's.....?

Teddy Ruxpin  

And as for you fez..... my impression so far is that you are calling many on this site closed minded because they don't agree with your beliefs....

Hypocrisy- The claim, pretense, or false representation of holding beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not actually possess.

No but those who tell me Im an arguement against free speech might be. Im not kidding myself that your all angels and democrats in the forces either. Lots off good men in the forces and lots of lousy officers from what Ive heard more busy with politicking than running an army.  If you can degrade me with slander and perverse innuendo and not expect equally harsh replies then maybe the kitchen is too hot for you.

Thats it for now... Hopefully my bud will come in later tonight and tell me why his last phone call to me couple weeks ago is so off the mark as some of you are saying.  

 

[Trinity]

And here is what Im talking about. The perversion of my intent because you guys cant stand that an NDP'er is actually pro military. Sad really that you have to resort to this kind of bs. And very low of you. How many other lefties did you chased away with this kind of dirty, ugly and lowballed approach I wonder.

Lets see how many posts does it take to say im an NDPer who ran for public office and is also a strong supporter of the military (my first post)  if not the right wing views of some of its members. What other info do you need. What are you so afraid of that you need to hunt me down  like a rabid dog fo asking some simple questions.   

So... instead of responding to fact, experience of opinion....

you want to resort to insult and taunting?

As my philosophy teacher taught me... Insults and mockery is not argument.  I haven't
seen you state anything new in a few posts... or respond to any claims such as stock footage
which is a perfectly legit explanation. 

We can't provide you with exact dates of delievery of arid kit overseas or when a specific
piece of footage on TV was taken.  What do you expect in the way of proof?  Your burden
of proof on us is much higher than the burden of proof that you expect us to give you.

We're not hunting you down for being NDP.  There are many people here, myself included, that support or supported
NDP but their military policy is not in line with our belief. 

As

 

[Harris]

OK.  Things are getting a bit worked up in here.  Time for a breather.  I'll unlock it in the morning.  Everyone else please enjoy the remainder of the day and think about what this day really means.

 

[McG]

Not much green here:

 

[paracowboy]

All right, everyone listen up.

Yes, this guy's a clown. But a dog-pile of everyone spouting off that he's a clown is not gonna let him realize that he's wearing a bright red ball on his nose, and over-sized shoes.

The facts (let's all say that together: the FACTS) will. Some members have gone to the effort of going through his kife and, point by point, showing his mistakes, errors, and general foolishyness-es.

When it gets unlocked, try to keep that going. NOT the "You're a poopy-face" style of rebuttal.

That is all.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

I specifically exempted infantrymen. I said I was told you were limited to 5 bullets a year as the annual workup for other force members.

Sorry to be putting this in when its locked but as a member of the Navy I have to rebut this right away. I manage to get to the range at least twice a year and I mamange to put more then 5 rounds downrange. We also shoot onboard ship and we also manage to put more then 5 rounds down range a shoot. I have been able to do this for over 12 years now since I switched over to the Navy. Please get your facts straight before commenting on "other force members".

 

[Harris]

OK.  Unlocked.  Please just discuss the issue and not, as was mentioned above dog-pile the author.

 

[McG]

More pictures:

 

[PJ D-Dog]

I am making this post to clarify some information, which might have been accidentally misrepresented, and to come to the defense of Fez who is new to this forum.

You have all had a chance to flame him to death and since the topic is inflammatory, I’m not surprised at the results.  One thing we need to remember is that civilians do not make the distinction between many military terms or branches of service or some equipment.  They can only act on the information they have received from outside of the CF culture.  They are not privy to the same information or experiences that we have had.  Additionally, it is my understanding that this forum is open to anyone who wants to post a comment/opinion in an attempt to learn more or to share their knowledge.  I really don’t think that attacking someone because of his or her ignorance (through no fault of their own) is going to be conducive to having an intelligent exchange.

1.  Fez’s Background:

I have known Fez for the last 25 years.  We are very good friends and very much a part of each other’s family.  He has one of the best analytical minds that I know.  He has run for the NDP at the provincial level twice in the last six years.  I know this because I was his communications director for the last campaign. His entrance into this forum is driven by a desire to learn more about the CF in order to evaluate as well as to validate the information that is presented in the media.  He is not a big fan of the media, but when it is one’s only source of information, where else can you go?  I’m sure no one here has read as many books about our society as he has.  He has a very clear understanding of the underlying political agendas that our leaders don’t want us to really know about.  Ask him about medicare and brace yourself.

2.  Five Rounds for Qual

I recently visited with my cousin who is a Major in the CF. He is in the mental health field as part of the air force.  Prior to his deployment to Afghanistan in Jan 06, he was only allotted a five round magazine for annual rifle qual.  I made it clear to Fez when I recounted this story that this excluded the combat arms as his original post stated.  I asked my cousin many questions about this and he was disgusted at the fact that he was not given more time on the range for qualification.  He enquired as to why there was such a shortage of ammo and he was told that it was due to budget restraints.  It seems that service support don’t need to qualify at the same level as a combat arms unit.

We both agreed that regardless the branch of service, all deploying CF personnel should be getting a higher standard of rifle sustainement training prior to going over.  Some may not agree with this, but anyone can get caught in a firefight even the mental health guy.

3.  The Ex-Marine Story

One of my good friends is currently going through work up training for the next rotation in December/Jan.  He is a former Marine who later joined the CF and was in the RCR and went through jump school.  He is now a reservist on a class C contract for the next roto.  I met up with him on Labor Day weekend.

He is concerned that the level of training he is receiving is not up to par with the mission they will be performing.  He recounted how the training was focused on fording drills and other elements that would be included in a classical European theatre.  He was concerned at how they will be operating in desert mountain terrain and wondered why they practiced fording rivers etc…  He was also concerned about the Cold War drills of a morning stand-to which continued to be advocated by the higher leadership in the work up training.  Before anyone gets any bright ideas about slamming the reserves, the Regular Force is conducting the training.

Another issue is that of leadership.  He is very concerned that leadership displayed in the training is inferior.  He is at the point where he has no confidence in both the junior and senior leadership of the unit his is with.  Despite all of this, he is still going to deploy, as he wants to get a tour in before he gets out.

In an attempt to validate this information, I spoke with a Captain friend of mine who went over and asked him some of these questions.  I also read some reports on CF casualties on CBC and spoke with Marines who have served in Afghanistan with Canadians Soldiers.

Some of the problems stem from the fact that the Canadian mission has shifted from security and reconstruction to counter insurgency

(see http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2003/12/23/afghan031223.html ). 

This is a major doctrinal shift and it is no surprise the CF is suffering a casualty increase

(see http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/09/18/report-soldiers.html  and http://www.policyalternatives.ca/documents/National_Office_Pubs/2006/Canadas_Fallen.pdf ).

The Canadian public is not overly aware of this shift.  All they know is CF troops are in Afghanistan.  That may help to explain the layperson’s views on this subject.

4.  How Many Magazines does it take….

A buddy of mine was working for a company, which produces CF military gear.  He explained that in order to get a federal contract for equipment, he had to speak with the head of DND acquisitions in Ottawa.  He was shocked to learn that this relic of a soldier was still of the opinion that CF soldiers should only be carrying four mags in the their pouches and one in the rifle.  The DND official was questioning the need to have more mags as he feared an increase in budget costs.  Obviously, he was trained in the good old days of the Cold War and just didn’t understand.  After visiting soldiers in Afghanistan, he wondered whey they would want to carry more ammo.

5.  Gunny Says…..

My company Gunny worked with Canadians in Afghanistan.  He has told me that other than being hard working and easy to get along with, they were not trained to effectively deal with the mission at hand.  Again, the doctrinal shift.  Although their tactics were similar to those used by the Marines, Canadians lacked aggression and were more interested in supervising tasks rather than doing them.  He said they liked to explain things more than actually doing them.  His overall assessment was that CF Soldiers should have been given more training before deploying.

As for IEDs, I would like to see the manual the CF is using in order to compare it to what the Marine Corps is using.

6.  The NDP-the party you love to hate…..

The NDP is not a monolithic organization.  Party members are entitled to have their own views.  I know that Fez is not trying to flaunt his opinions in this forum but rather offer up some views to be discussed.  Frankly, I am annoyed at the childish responses to his statements and questions.  How often do you have card carrying NDP party members actually try and engage into a conversation in this forum in an attempt to learn more and validate information?  You should be happy that someone in politics actually cares as opposed to just ranting and raving amongst yourselves.

If the politicians in this country would listen to the actual CF members before making policy, then you would all be ahead of the game.  Remember that it is the politicians who decide where you will deploy, for how long and what gear you will use.

Now, I will only be too glad to entertain questions you may have.

PJ D-Dog

 

[paracowboy]

One thing we need to remember is that civilians do not make the distinction between many military terms or branches of service or some equipment. They can only act on the information they have received from outside of the CF culture.  They are not privy to the same information or experiences that we have had. 

yeah, thanks, we know. But, when given the info to correct their mistakes, and they choose to ignore it, they deserve to get a kick in the junk. If told BY the serving mmbers that they're wrong for the following reasons, and then choose to continue making an ass of themselves, they deserve to get dog-piled.

Additionally, it is my understanding that this forum is open to anyone who wants to post a comment/opinion in an attempt to learn more or to share their knowledge.  I really don’t think that attacking someone because of his or her ignorance (through no fault of their own) is going to be conducive to having an intelligent exchange.

then they can shut their yaps, and listen when being told facts by serving members, can't they? Civvies are tolerated, even welcome, but they don't get to come on here, spout kife, and the...

screw it. He's been an assclown of the finest kind from his first post. And I have serious doubts about many of the claims in your post as well. 5 Rounds? When we're now spending more ammo in a month than we used to in a year, previously?

Naw, fez is on the hot seat because HE PUT HIMSELF there by spouting kife and refusing to listen. He's under the watchful and tender eye of the mods now. As is this thread.

 

[PJ D-Dog]

And I have serious doubts about many of the claims in your post as well. 5 Rounds? When we're now spending more ammo in a month than we used to in a year, previously?

You can have all the serious doubts in the world that you want.  I got this information first hand from people who went through it.  The thing to understand here is the fact that your experience may not be the same as another soldier's experience due to when you went over or what was being done in training.  You might want to take that into consideration and also realize that your personal experience is not absolute.  There differences in training at different locations.

Here is another example.  I work at the Marine Corps Security Forces Battalion's training company.  We are a school house who train Marines who are slated to go to either the FAST companies (Fleet Anti-Terrorism Strike Team) or a PRP command or Marine Barracks 8th & I.  Over the last year, our curriculum has changed.  From one course to the next, Marines were getting a different variation of training than those who came before.  It even got to the point where there was a short fall in shot gun ammo and one class did not qual with that weapon whereas other classes did.  It's still the same school and still the same course (Basic Security Guard-BSG) but with some variations due to changes in the structure.  The same thing could be happening with work-up training in the CF.  My two cents worth.

PJ D-Dog

 

[Teddy Ruxpin]

And I have serious doubts about many of the claims in your post as well.

+1  So here goes:

We both agreed that regardless the branch of service, all deploying CF personnel should be getting a higher standard of rifle sustainement training prior to going over.

And how are you in a position to make this judgment?  Do you (or your mental health buddy) know what 99% of soldiers do for predeployment training now?  Frankly, if your Major got five rounds, that tells me more about the internal organization that would have allowed him to deploy with such abysmal training (AF, CFHS, that says it all.  I wonder what the predeployment standard for USAF mental health officers is....oh yeah...  : ) than it does about the Army's predeployment training.

He is concerned that the level of training he is receiving is not up to par with the mission they will be performing.  He recounted how the training was focused on fording drills and other elements that would be included in a classical European theatre.  He was concerned at how they will be operating in desert mountain terrain and wondered why they practiced fording rivers etc…  He was also concerned about the Cold War drills of a morning stand-to which continued to be advocated by the higher leadership in the work up training.  Before anyone gets any bright ideas about slamming the reserves, the Regular Force is conducting the training.

Oh?  Has he been through his CMTC rotation yet?  Has he seen the standard? Has he met the standard? Since he hasn't been deployed to Afghanistan, I would suggest that he has no idea of what skills will or will not be required in theatre.  As MCG pointed out, fording drills are used.

Another issue is that of leadership.  He is very concerned that leadership displayed in the training is inferior.  He is at the point where he has no confidence in both the junior and senior leadership of the unit his is with.  Despite all of this, he is still going to deploy, as he wants to get a tour in before he gets out.

Good for him.  Sounds like bullshit whining to me.

A buddy of mine was working for a company, which produces CF military gear.  He explained that in order to get a federal contract for equipment, he had to speak with the head of DND acquisitions in Ottawa.  He was shocked to learn that this relic of a soldier was still of the opinion that CF soldiers should only be carrying four mags in the their pouches and one in the rifle.  The DND official was questioning the need to have more mags as he feared an increase in budget costs.  Obviously, he was trained in the good old days of the Cold War and just didn’t understand.  After visiting soldiers in Afghanistan, he wondered whey they would want to carry more ammo.

Don't bother opening the tac vest debate again - there are dozens of posts on it.  The fact of the matter is that all planners - including American ones - have to use a base figure to determine combat loads, full stop.  How else does the Army determine how much ammunition to ship?

My company Gunny worked with Canadians in Afghanistan.  He has told me that other than being hard working and easy to get along with, they were not trained to effectively deal with the mission at hand.  Again, the doctrinal shift.  Although their tactics were similar to those used by the Marines, Canadians lacked aggression and were more interested in supervising tasks rather than doing them.  He said they liked to explain things more than actually doing them.  His overall assessment was that CF Soldiers should have been given more training before deploying.

You're on dangerous ground here and I'm rather offended.  I can say [u[much, much[/u] worse about some Americans I've served alongside on operations, including your beloved Marines.  I can provide personal examples where US Forces have been far too aggressive in theatre.  I'd be interested to know with whom your Gunny was serving with...

As for IEDs, I would like to see the manual the CF is using in order to compare it to what the Marine Corps is using.

  It just came out. 

How often do you have card carrying NDP party members actually try and engage into a conversation in this forum in an attempt to learn more and validate information?

Which is not what your buddy did.  He came on to the forum to deliberately troll, spouting complete nonsense that - even when proven wrong - he continued to insist on.

 

[paracowboy]

He has one of the best analytical minds that I know.  He has run for the NDP at the provincial level twice in the last six years. 

those two statements are contradictory. If one is analytical at all about politics, one realizes that the NDP are the most ridiculous excuse of a political party in existence, with no basis whatsoever in reality.

2.  Five Rounds for Qual

I recently visited with my cousin who is a Major in the CF. He is in the mental health field as part of the air force.  Prior to his deployment to Afghanistan in Jan 06, he was only allotted a five round magazine for annual rifle qual.  I made it clear to Fez when I recounted this story that this excluded the combat arms as his original post stated.  I asked my cousin many questions about this and he was disgusted at the fact that he was not given more time on the range for qualification.  He enquired as to why there was such a shortage of ammo and he was told that it was due to budget restraints.  It seems that service support don’t need to qualify at the same level as a combat arms unit.

I'm currently assisting the Ops NCO for our CS/CSS types deploying on 1-07 and 1-08. He's asking me how many rounds they need to qualify for the basic PWT. I told him. They're getting 200 rounds a man. Not exactly 5 per man, is it? Kinda throws a monkey wrench into that 5 rounds per man story.

3.  The Ex-Marine Story

One of my good friends is currently going through work up training for the next rotation in December/Jan.  He is a former Marine who later joined the CF and was in the RCR and went through jump school.  He is now a reservist on a class C contract for the next roto.  I met up with him on Labor Day weekend.

He is concerned that the level of training he is receiving is not up to par with the mission they will be performing.  He recounted how the training was focused on fording drills and other elements that would be included in a classical European theatre.  He was concerned at how they will be operating in desert mountain terrain and wondered why they practiced fording rivers etc…  He was also concerned about the Cold War drills of a morning stand-to which continued to be advocated by the higher leadership in the work up training.  Before anyone gets any bright ideas about slamming the reserves, the Regular Force is conducting the training.

so, because you friend is pissy about having to practice basic drills before moving on to mission-specific training, the CF is fucked up? Right. Got it. Noted, and changes to doctine will be emplaced immediately.

Another issue is that of leadership.  He is very concerned that leadership displayed in the training is inferior.  He is at the point where he has no confidence in both the junior and senior leadership of the unit his is with.  Despite all of this, he is still going to deploy, as he wants to get a tour in before he gets out.

and he has doen what, to address these percieved faults?

I also read some reports on CF casualties on CBC

and that is relevent how? The CBC? Why not Sesame Street, too? REad on here how many times we have corrected the CBC.

and spoke with Marines who have served in Afghanistan with Canadians Soldiers.

and I can give any number of negative opinions of the USMC by Canadians, but why would I?

Some of the problems stem from the fact that the Canadian mission has shifted from security and reconstruction to counter insurgency

our mission has not shifted. We are still on the same mission, no matter what you choose to believe from the CBC.

The Canadian public is not overly aware of this shift.  All they know is CF troops are in Afghanistan.  That may help to explain the layperson’s views on this subject.

then they shold take steps to corret that, or just shut the fuck up and listen when troops talk. Like here.

4.  How Many Magazines does it take….

A buddy of mine was working for a company, which produces CF military gear.  He explained that in order to get a federal contract for equipment, he had to speak with the head of DND acquisitions in Ottawa.  He was shocked to learn that this relic of a soldier was still of the opinion that CF soldiers should only be carrying four mags in the their pouches and one in the rifle.  The DND official was questioning the need to have more mags as he feared an increase in budget costs.  Obviously, he was trained in the good old days of the Cold War and just didn’t understand.  After visiting soldiers in Afghanistan, he wondered whey they would want to carry more ammo.

and we are currently allowing troops to purchase and carry their own equipment in theatre. And TF 1-07 is spear-heading a test of various chest-rigs. 3 PPCLI is currently spear-heading an initiative whereby every soldier will carry 10 mags at all times.

5.  Gunny Says…..

My company Gunny worked with Canadians in Afghanistan.  He has told me that other than being hard working and easy to get along with, they were not trained to effectively deal with the mission at hand.  Again, the doctrinal shift.  Although their tactics were similar to those used by the Marines, Canadians lacked aggression and were more interested in supervising tasks rather than doing them.  He said they liked to explain things more than actually doing them.  His overall assessment was that CF Soldiers should have been given more training before deploying.

see above. I can give CF opinions about "robotic, and unable to think for themselves" or "lacking in personal inititative" but, those are jsut opinions. Similar to your Gunny's.

As for IEDs, I would like to see the manual the CF is using in order to compare it to what the Marine Corps is using.

where do you think the CF gets a lareg chunk of it's info on enemy tactics? Couple countries: both start with the letter "U". Odd thing...both those countries get info from Canada, too. Wierd how that works.

6.  The NDP-the party you love to hate…..

The NDP is not a monolithic organization.  Party members are entitled to have their own views.  I know that Fez is not trying to flaunt his opinions in this forum but rather offer up some views to be discussed.  Frankly, I am annoyed at the childish responses to his statements and questions.  How often do you have card carrying NDP party members actually try and engage into a conversation in this forum in an attempt to learn more and validate information?  You should be happy that someone in politics actually cares as opposed to just ranting and raving amongst yourselves.

he didn't try to engage in a conversation. He came on here blowing his hot air, and refused to listen when corrected with factual information. So he got dog-piled for being a dumbass.

 

[tlg]

2.  Five Rounds for Qual

I recently visited with my cousin who is a Major in the CF. He is in the mental health field as part of the air force.  Prior to his deployment to Afghanistan in Jan 06, he was only allotted a five round magazine for annual rifle qual.  I made it clear to Fez when I recounted this story that this excluded the combat arms as his original post stated.  I asked my cousin many questions about this and he was disgusted at the fact that he was not given more time on the range for qualification.  He enquired as to why there was such a shortage of ammo and he was told that it was due to budget restraints.  It seems that service support don’t need to qualify at the same level as a combat arms unit.

We both agreed that regardless the branch of service, all deploying CF personnel should be getting a higher standard of rifle sustainement training prior to going over.  Some may not agree with this, but anyone can get caught in a firefight even the mental health guy.

Isn't mental health a desk job? (Someone can correct me if I'm wrong).

Cutting ammo due to budget restraints? 5 ROUNDS? I'm sure if this was the case every soldier no matter what their trade, would not be ecstatic with ponying up the money for more rounds but would do it anyways if it would give them the chance to bring their shooting skills up another level. (Can you zero a weapon in 5 rounds if it's off?). If it was indeed budget restraints. I think the forces in their infinite wisdom would choose AMMO over something else.

What do I know, I'm just an untrained grunt that sees way too many flaws in this article

//FAIRYTALE: Isn't the whole 5 round thing a fairy tale from back in the day? I've heard it in my younger years and even then screamed blasphemy and heresy. (Again correct me if I'm wrong)

 

[Michael OLeary]

1.  Fez’s Background:

...His entrance into this forum is driven by a desire to learn more about the CF...

And yet he prefers to forcefully restate his own erroneous opinions rather than taking information away to seek corroboration elsewhere.

He is not a big fan of the media, but when it is one’s only source of information, where else can you go?

You claim he is not a fan of the media, and yet he upholds it as "truth" in the face of even photographic evidence to the contrary.

2.  Five Rounds for Qual

I recently visited with my cousin who is a Major in the CF. He is in the mental health field as part of the air force.  Prior to his deployment to Afghanistan in Jan 06, he was only allotted a five round magazine for annual rifle qual.  I made it clear to Fez when I recounted this story that this excluded the combat arms as his original post stated.  I asked my cousin many questions about this and he was disgusted at the fact that he was not given more time on the range for qualification.  He enquired as to why there was such a shortage of ammo and he was told that it was due to budget restraints.  It seems that service support don’t need to qualify at the same level as a combat arms unit.

We both agreed that regardless the branch of service, all deploying CF personnel should be getting a higher standard of rifle sustainement training prior to going over.  Some may not agree with this, but anyone can get caught in a firefight even the mental health guy.

Was it just the one officer that only received 5 rounds?  Or was it his entire unit?  What unit was this?

3.  The Ex-Marine Story

...Despite all of this, he is still going to deploy, as he wants to get a tour in before he gets out..

So it's obviously not bad enough for him to try anything except bitching about his lot in life.

4.  How Many Magazines does it take….

A buddy of mine was working for a company, which produces CF military gear.  He explained that in order to get a federal contract for equipment, he had to speak with the head of DND acquisitions in Ottawa.  He was shocked to learn that this relic of a soldier was still of the opinion that CF soldiers should only be carrying four mags in the their pouches and one in the rifle.  The DND official was questioning the need to have more mags as he feared an increase in budget costs.  Obviously, he was trained in the good old days of the Cold War and just didn’t understand.  After visiting soldiers in Afghanistan, he wondered whey they would want to carry more ammo.

The opinon of one guy that YOU describe as being out of the loop.  I have lost count on how many threads on this board evolved into discussions/arguments on how many mags should be carried by whom.  And there is certainly enough evidence, anecdotal and photographic, to show that the troops are NOT restricted to the "Cold War five magazines."  So, unles you have recent proof to the contrary ....

5.  Gunny Says…..

My company Gunny worked with Canadians in Afghanistan.  He has told me ....

His is one opinion, others here have expressed theirs.  But you have already decided which you are willing to believe, so it appears your's and fez's minds are equaly closed to a discussion.

6.  The NDP-the party you love to hate…..

The NDP is not a monolithic organization.  Party members are entitled to have their own views.

Sure, just like the local NDP candidate on my doorstep the other night who displayed incredible ignorance regarding "blue beret" missions, and the requirement to have a secure environment within which to permit humanitarian and nation-building efforts.

  I know that Fez is not trying to flaunt his opinions in this forum but rather offer up some views to be discussed.

Sorry, he is only coming across as a troll, flaunting what he has already chosen to believe is the truth and ignoring any contrary information.

 

[rmacqueen]

Five Rounds for Qual

I recently visited with my cousin who is a Major in the CF. He is in the mental health field as part of the air force.  Prior to his deployment to Afghanistan in Jan 06, he was only allotted a five round magazine for annual rifle qual.  I made it clear to Fez when I recounted this story that this excluded the combat arms as his original post stated.  I asked my cousin many questions about this and he was disgusted at the fact that he was not given more time on the range for qualification.  He enquired as to why there was such a shortage of ammo and he was told that it was due to budget restraints.  It seems that service support don’t need to qualify at the same level as a combat arms unit.

Could this be because he in the medical branch with a trade that would confine him to inside the wire and carrying, at most, a pistol?  I haven't been to Afghanistan and even I know that the service support are qualifying to a high level but they are not confined to KAF.  It is not just the combat arms.

 

[Teddy Ruxpin]

Could this be because he in the medical branch with a trade that would confine him to inside the wire and carrying, at most, a pistol?  I haven't been to Afghanistan and even I know that the service support are qualifying to a high level but they are not confined to KAF.  It is not just the combat arms.

Air Force, CFHS - that says it all to me.  There's a reluctance amongst some organizations that haven't force generated for operations in large numbers to take predeployment training seriously.  For all we know, this officer came from Comox or Bagotville...where they haven't had to prepare personnel in large numbers recently.