Divining the right role, capabilities, structure, and Regimental System for Canada's Army Reserves

[PrairieFella]

Lack of parts. Not high enough in the pri (for Base).

Oh I know that but Im wondering if at the Svc Bn level if MilEME can get any work done on those or if they cant get parts either.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Not high enough in the pri (for Base).

This is def an issue in non Army dominated AORs.

 

[PrairieFella]

This is def an issue in none Army dominated AORs.

17 Wing is terrible for this. Years and years for simple fixes. The apathy is insane.

 

[Halifax Tar]

17 Wing is terrible for this. Years and years for simple fixes. The apathy is insane.

One of the key lessons I had to drive home with 36 CBG is that they are not the main effort in this region. In this AOR, the Army is probably third in priority, certainly not first. That is why I never fully understood the rationale behind locating 5 Div HQ in Halifax.

This is simply a reflection of operational realities and the challenges associated with overstretched second- and third-line support capabilities. If the Army wants improved maintenance and service support for its Reserve units, it needs to establish full-time Service Battalion detachments in locations where it is not the largest or highest-priority customer. This would provide more responsive support and reduce reliance on organizations whose primary focus lies elsewhere.

 

[PrairieFella]

One of the key lessons I had to drive home with 36 CBG is that they are not the main effort in this region. In this AOR, the Army is probably third in priority, certainly not first. That is why I never fully understood the rationale behind locating 5 Div HQ in Halifax.

This is simply a reflection of operational realities and the challenges associated with overstretched second- and third-line support capabilities. If the Army wants improved maintenance and service support for its Reserve units, it needs to establish full-time Service Battalion detachments in locations where it is not the largest or highest-priority customer. This would provide more responsive support and reduce reliance on organizations whose primary focus lies elsewhere.

Couldnt have said it better myself.

 

[OldSolduer]

17 Wing is terrible for this. Years and years for simple fixes. The apathy is insane.

The washroom in the NE corner of Minto was useless. Has that been fixed? It wasn’t in 2017

 

[Gordon Dundas/]

That is why I never fully understood the rationale behind locating 5 Div HQ in Halifax.
Parking ?
I could be be wrong but If you think that I'm joking . I know of one major Federal government office that was placed in one building because it was next to the decision maker's favorite restaurant.

 

[PrairieFella]

The washroom in the NE corner of Minto was useless. Has that been fixed? It wasn’t in 2017

It was a few years ago. But Minto is basically out of commission for the next 6-8 months. Parade square repairs contaminated the building with crazy amounts of dust. Everyone is parading out of 17 Wing or Harcus Strachan Armoury now.

 

[Halifax Tar]

That is why I never fully understood the rationale behind locating 5 Div HQ in Halifax.
Parking ?
I could be be wrong but If you think that I'm joking . I know of one major Federal government office that was placed in one building because it was next to the decision maker's favorite restaurant.

The Army wants people to pay to park ?

 

[Harris]

That is why I never fully understood the rationale behind locating 5 Div HQ in Halifax.
Parking ?
I could be be wrong but If you think that I'm joking . I know of one major Federal government office that was placed in one building because it was next to the decision maker's favorite restaurant.

If I had to guess it was due to Halifax historically being the home of the Army in Atlantic Canada. Atlantic Command (1942-1945), Eastern Command (1946-1968), Atlantic Militia Area (1970-1992), Land Force Atlantic Area (1992-2012), and 5th Cdn Division (2013-2026)

 

[Halifax Tar]

If I had to guess it was due to Halifax historically being the home of the Army in Atlantic Canada. Atlantic Command (1942-1945), Eastern Command (1946-1968), Atlantic Militia Area (1970-1992), Land Force Atlantic Area (1992-2012), and 5th Cdn Division (2013-2026)

Sounds like because tradition

And tradition is just peer pressure from dead people.

 

[MilEME09]

Cant you guys work on LUVWs and MSVS since contracts are long gone? VOR is basically terminal for those fleets in my brigade, do they keep you busy?

Both still go to dealerships, could we work on them now? Maybe id have to read what the contract is. I know not even the dealership wants to work on the MSVS

 

[PrairieFella]

Both still go to dealerships, could we work on them now? Maybe id have to read what the contract is.

Might be a local thing for you guys then because LUVWs are done by our own local second line here.

I know not even the dealership wants to work on the MSVS

Why is that? Shouldnt they be pretty easy to work on as a civvie conversion?

 

[Gordon Dundas/]

Sounds like because tradition

And tradition is just peer pressure from dead people.

Or done more then twice.

 

[MilEME09]

Why is that? Shouldnt they be pretty easy to work on as a civvie conversion?

They are apparently terrible to work on, something to do with how the engines laid out

 

[daftandbarmy]

Sounds like because tradition

And tradition is just peer pressure from dead people.

Or that's just the scuttlebutt anyways

 

[PrairieFella]

They are apparently terrible to work on, something to do with how the engines laid out

Huh weird. Its just a standard International tandem truck.

 

[Kirkhill]

Might be a local thing for you guys then because LUVWs are done by our own local second line here.

Why is that? Shouldnt they be pretty easy to work on as a civvie conversion?

They are apparently terrible to work on, something to do with how the engines laid out

Huh weird. Its just a standard International tandem truck.

No guarantees that low cost civvy designs are easy to service. Low cost is more likely to mean disposable.

Courtesy of AI....

Servicing the engine on a Navistar 7000 series truck (commonly known as the International WorkStar) introduces several notorious headaches for technicians. The exact level of difficulty depends on whether the truck is equipped with the older, mechanical-evolution DT466 / DT570 inline-six or the heavily regulated MaxxForce 7, 9, 10, or 13 engines.
The primary physical and diagnostic difficulties encountered when servicing these engines include:

1. The "Advanced EGR" Nightmare (MaxxForce Engines)
If the 7000-series truck features a 2007–2013 MaxxForce engine, Navistar’s choice to skip Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in favor of heavy Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) makes top-end engine service frequent and highly complex: [1, 2]

• • EGR Cooler Failures: The dual EGR coolers experience extreme thermal cycling, causing internal cracks. Replacing them requires navigating a dense web of piping and hidden brackets on the side of the engine. [1, 2]
  • Severe Soot Accumulation: The heavy EGR design dumps immense amounts of soot back into the intake. Intake manifolds frequently crack from acidic condensation, and valves, sensors, and turbos require constant manual teardowns for cleaning. [1]

2. Tight Engine Bay & Component Packaging
While the WorkStar has a tilting fiberglass hood, the packaging of the engine bay makes specific tasks highly frustrating:

• • Turbo Access: Models equipped with dual sequential turbochargers (like the MaxxForce DT or MaxxForce 13) have very little clearance on the exhaust side. Removing the turbo assembly or replacing sticking variable-geometry turbo (VGT) actuators often turns into a multi-hour battle with tight clearances. [1, 2]
  • High-Pressure Oil System Components: On injection-pressure activated systems (HEUI systems found in older DT engines), the high-pressure oil pump (HPOP), injection control pressure (ICP) sensor, and injection pressure regulator (IPR) valve are buried tight against the firewall or under the intake clutter, requiring specialized socket extensions and blind wrenching.

3. Proparietary Electronics and False Diagnostic Codes
Navistar engines are notoriously difficult to work on without dealer-level diagnostic tools. [1]

• • Software Dependancy: Performing basic tasks—like testing fuel injector cutouts or forcing a manual DPF regeneration to clear soot codes—requires proprietary Navistar Engine Diagnostics (NED) software. Standard heavy-duty OBD scanners will often read generic faults that misdirect technicians. [1, 2]
  • The "Phantom Fault" Trap: Low voltage or loose ground connections on the WorkStar frame and firewall frequently throw false engine codes (such as phantom "bad ECM" or low fuel pressure warnings). Mechanics often waste time diagnosing mechanical pump or sensor failures when the true culprit is a corroded ground wire in the battery box harness. [1, 2]

4. Hidden Fluid Contamination (Oil Dilution)
Due to frequent, fuel-heavy active regenerations meant to clear the DPF, unburnt diesel often washes down the cylinder walls and into the oil pan. [1, 2]

• • Service Complication: Because the oil gets severely thinned out, technicians must strictly monitor oil consistency. If ignored, the diluted oil strips bearing protection, destroying the turbocharger bearings and causing catastrophic bottom-end failures before the standard service interval is ever reached. [1, 2]