Courses Question - Reserve

[PTE Gruending]

Hello,
I am just wondering about some Reserve Infantry courses as far as length and content. Under the old system you had your QL2 (Basic) and QL3 (MOC), each of which was lasting 30 days. Now the last of the guys in my unit who took took the old QL2/QL3 last summer (last time it was offered) had to take a Weapons Delta course (just for the C6). Now I understand that their is the BMQ/SQ/BIQ. BMQ is 4 trg weeks, but how long is the SQ/BIQ?
Where do the equivelancies run as far as something like QL3=SQ? I understand BIQ includes: pistols, M203, 60mm Mortar, and C6 in SF trim. What about all of those guys who are under the old QL3 system? From Privates, Corporals and up? They would not have had the pistol, M203, 60mm Mortar, or C6 SF (Unless they had taken an MG course, which might be eliminated with the BIQ?), what are they to do?
Is the BIQ just a weapons course?

Thanks

 

[andrewvalentine83]

I just did my SQ/BIQ this summer, so I‘ll try to help you out. First of all, SQ and BIQ are each 4 weeks long. SQ stands for Soldier Qualification, and everybody in the army has to take it. After that, people from different trades take their specific MOC training. BIQ stands for Basic Infantry Qualification. On BIQ, you do learn the 60mm mortars, M203 and the PWTIII for the C7, but you don‘t use pistols or the C6 in the SF role. It‘s not just a weapon‘s course, it goes into greater detail of infantry skills (patrols, raids, ambushes), and there‘s a lot of time spent in the field. SQ and BIQ combined replace the old QL3. As far as I know, there is still a QL4 gunners course. About privates/ corporals who took QL3 and didn‘t learn the M203: they can get trained on it back at the unit. My unit‘s training everyone on them right now. Hope that helped.

 

[combat_medic]

Most of the reserve infantry units are going through M203 training this year for all those of us that have been "grandfathered" by the new courses.

C6 in SF role is something you‘ll learn on an MG course... learning to do all the sighting and other related crap would take up WAY too much time in 4 weeks, and is meant to be a specialized skill anyway. As for pistol, the only people that are ‘supposed‘ to have pistols are medics , section commanders, machine gunners, and officers. Besides, a bad day with a rifle is WAY better than a good day with a pistol.

 

[Jarnhamar]

In bosnia up until sept 11th a lot of patrols were done with just pistols.

I wouldnt mind if all soldiers were permitted pistols (assuming we have them in stock)

 

[Lawrence]

Us MP types get pistols too. Now on that topic I heard the that CF is changeing the main service pistol to the Glock. I say its about time.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I thought i heard they were changing to the Sig 226??

 

[combat_medic]

No, we‘re not changing to the Glock (thank goodness, I‘d want more safety features on a military pistol than the Glock has to offer... great for policing though). But we are changing to the Sig Sauer. Reg Force naval boarding parties have started to use them already, but I don‘t know when they‘ll be distributed to the rest of the world.

And may I say, I love the Sig.

And yes, there are other people that get issued pistols all the time, I‘m just stating what‘s "by the book".

 

[Jarnhamar]

I‘ve given a lot of thought about when i go back to bosnia if i don‘t get issued a pistol i‘d try and find a way to buy one and pass it off as an issued pistol. I‘m sure people wouldn‘t even notice if care is taken. I‘ve heard stories that this was allowed though i can‘t see that being true. maybe some time in the past.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

What! A private pistol? And have the Can Firearms Centre send the RCMP over to check your serial #, barrel length and proper storage facilities. Not to mention your paperwork, PAL and transport permit? Besides, you can‘t store your ammo and weapon in the same spot! Too much hassle

 

[Korus]

I thought only the Reg Force MPs used Sigs... I won‘t complain if they‘re supposed to replace ALL the pistols..