Informing the Army’s Future Structure

[KevinB]

So the first swipe at my Napkin Army -- I got ambitious while I was doing this - and this isn't really my 2025 one - more of a 2030.

As I originally didn't have the AH Squadrons - and I have noted in the Armoured BDE that the vehicles where TLAV (interim), I also got ambitious with the Artillery.
I am still working on the BDE HQ constructs - and detailed break downs on the BN's.
For purposes of this I have stuck all the Sigs (Comms), Sigs (EW), NBCW Recce, AND Air Defence) into the Bde HQ's (plus Div HQ), as well as the Aviation CS/CSS.

My goal was PY Neutral - but a increase in the actual "fieldable" force - and major gains to support structures.
Also looking at the size of the CA, I opted for 1 DIV as both the admin side of the Army - and with a Deployable HQ portion if needed).

Each Bde has 4 INF BN's - but pay attention to any Regimental names , each Bde has 2 Gun Regt, Armored Bde and Mech Bde have 2 Gun Regt and 1 Rocket Regt (and eventually all will have 1 LR PF Regt)
Inf BN 4x Line Coy, 1x Cbt Spt Coy, 1 Maint Coy, 1 Trans Coy, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Coy
Armored Reg't 4x Tank Sqn, 1x ARV Coy, 1 Maint Coy, 1 Trans Coy, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Coy
Armored Car/CAV BN - 4 LAV Coy (Crew only) 1x Cbt Spt Coy, 1 Maint Coy, 1 Trans Coy, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Coy
Engineer Regt 3x Fd Sqn, 1x C-IED/EOD Sqn, 1x Cbt Spt Sqn, 1 Maint Sqn, 1 Trans Sqn, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Sqn
Artillery Regt 3x8 gun Bty, 2x STA/UAV Bty, 1 Maint Bty, 1 Trans Bty, 1 HHQ Bty, 1 Admin Bty



1 CDN Para BDE (CFB Petawawa - off base units noted in their description)
I opted for a Para Bde - simply because it allows for force employment worldwide rapidly. This is a 70/30 Reg/Res construct.

1 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) of Armoured Recce (Airborne capable) - a very light tracked vehicle - I am agnostic to what - but all terrain capable of high speeds - low on armor - high on stealth and surveillance.
1 Sqn of Light UH, and 1 Sqn of Chinooks (plus my dreamed AH Squadron) - these are direct BDE assets, I didn't get into naming the Tac Hel Sqn's - as the fight for those is such bigger than what they are called).

CDN Para Regiment
1-4 BN's of Paras (1&2 Para have secondary Arctic tasking, and 3&4 Para have Mountain taskings)
1 Para is 100% Reg Force
2 Para (CFB Trenton) is 30% Reg - 70% Res (res only at PL and below level - Ottawa, Kingtson, and Toronto Res units)
3 Para (CFB Merrit or somewhere in BC) is 100% reg force
4 Para (CFB same as 3 Para) is 30% Reg - 70% Res (Res only at PL and below level - Alberta/ Eastern BC Mountain Res Units)

1-2 CER
1 CER - 70/30 - same recurring zone as 2 Para
2 CER *CFB same as 3-4Para 30/70 (Jump/Mountain Tasks) - same recruiting as 4 Para

1-2 RCHA
1 RCHA 70/30 - same recruiting as 2 Para
2 RCHA *CFB same as 3-4Para 30/70 (Jump/Mountain Tasks) - same recruiting as 4 Para

1 FSB 100% Reg
2 FSB 100% Reg
1 MSB 100% Reg

2 CDN Light BDE (CFB Gagetown - off base units noted in their description)
This is a 30/70 Reg/Res construct.

2 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) of Armoured Recce (I missed the "Armoured in my unit symbol above) - same vehicle and orbit - minus jump tasking as 1CLH
1 Sqn of Light UH (ideally another and a Chinook Sqn too) -- (plus my dreamed AH Squadron)

CDN Light Infantry
1-4 BN's of CLI (1&2 CLI have a primary Arctic tasking, and 3&4 CLI have Amphibious taskings)
1 BN CLI is 70% Reg Force - 30% Res
2 CLI (CFB North Bay) is 30% Reg - 70% Res (res only at PL and below level - other Ontario Res units, not tasked to the Paras)
3 CLI (CFB Vancouver or somewhere in BC) is 50% reg force 50% Res (Res only at PL and below level - Western BC Res Units)
4 CLI is 50% Reg - 50% Res (Res only at PL and below level - Maritime Res Units)

1-2 Bn Cdn CAV Regiment (CFB Wainwright) 20/80% Reg/Res)
LAV BN without troops - for mobility/protection tasks - otherwise assisting with 3 CAB training.

3-4 CER
3 CER - 50/50 Reg/Res - (Arctic Task) same recruiting zone as 2 CLI
4 CER *CFB same as 3 CLI 50/50 Reg/Res (Amphibious Tasks) - same recruiting as 3 CLI

3-4 RCHA
3 RCHA 30/70 - (Arctic Task) same recruiting as 2 CLI
4 RCHA *CFB same as 3 CLI 30/70 (Amphibious Tasks) - same recruiting as 3 CLI

3 FSB Arctic Task 100% Reg
4 FSB (CFB Vancouver) Amphibious Task 100% Reg
3 MSB 100% Reg
4 MSB (CFB Vancouver) Amphibious Task

3 CDN Armored BDE (CFB Wainwright) - off base units noted in their description)
This is a 20/80 Reg/Res construct.
Reg Force Housed at CFB Edmonton - with Simulators - vehicles held in Wainwright - Res Recruiting from Prairie provinces


3 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) Armoured Recce - LAV-Recce Squardon - ideally a small tracked Recce Vehicle - but using LAV for now.

OPCON (CFB Edmonton) 1 Sqn of Light UH (ideally another and a Chinook Sqn too) -- (plus my dreamed AH Squadron)

1-2 Regiment Canadian Dragoons (no Royal)

4 Sqn x Regt

CDN Infantry Regiment
1-4 BN's of CI
1-2 in a IFV - tracked heavy gun/missile system (modern Bradley)
3-4 in LAV or TLAV (until entire Bde converted to Heavy IFV)

5-6 CER

1 ADATS Regiment

5-7 RCHA (5/6 RCHA with SPA, 7 with Armored Tracked Rocket system like MLRS)



5 FSB 100% Reg
6 FSB 70-30 Reg/Res
5 MSB 100% Reg
6 MSB 70-30 Reg/Res

4 CDN Mechanized BDE (CFB Valcartier) - off base units noted in their description)
This is a 30/70 Reg/Res construct.
Res Recruiting from Quebec, and surrounding provinces if needed


4 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) Armoured Recce - LAV-Recce Squardon -

OPCON (CFB Valcartier) 1 Sqn of Light UH (ideally another and a Chinook Sqn too) -- (plus my dreamed AH Squadron)


CDN Infantry Regiment
LAV BN's (3x) naming continues 5-7 from the Armoured CIR

CDN Light Infantry
1 x BN

3rd Cdn CAV Bn



8-10 RCHA (8/9 RCHA with SPA Wheeled, 10 with Armored wheeled Rocket system like MLRS/HIMARS)



7 FSB 100% Reg
8 FSB 70-30 Reg/Res
7 MSB 100% Reg
8 MSB 70-30 Reg/Res




So much more - but this was a pretty brutal wall of text -and I still have 7 more slides with more verbal diarrhea to go

 

[Kirkhill]

View attachment 66920
So the first swipe at my Napkin Army -- I got ambitious while I was doing this - and this isn't really my 2025 one - more of a 2030.

As I originally didn't have the AH Squadrons - and I have noted in the Armoured BDE that the vehicles where TLAV (interim), I also got ambitious with the Artillery.
I am still working on the BDE HQ constructs - and detailed break downs on the BN's.
For purposes of this I have stuck all the Sigs (Comms), Sigs (EW), NBCW Recce, AND Air Defence) into the Bde HQ's (plus Div HQ), as well as the Aviation CS/CSS.

My goal was PY Neutral - but a increase in the actual "fieldable" force - and major gains to support structures.
Also looking at the size of the CA, I opted for 1 DIV as both the admin side of the Army - and with a Deployable HQ portion if needed).

Each Bde has 4 INF BN's - but pay attention to any Regimental names , each Bde has 2 Gun Regt, Armored Bde and Mech Bde have 2 Gun Regt and 1 Rocket Regt (and eventually all will have 1 LR PF Regt)
Inf BN 4x Line Coy, 1x Cbt Spt Coy, 1 Maint Coy, 1 Trans Coy, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Coy
Armored Reg't 4x Tank Sqn, 1x ARV Coy, 1 Maint Coy, 1 Trans Coy, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Coy
Armored Car/CAV BN - 4 LAV Coy (Crew only) 1x Cbt Spt Coy, 1 Maint Coy, 1 Trans Coy, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Coy
Engineer Regt 3x Fd Sqn, 1x C-IED/EOD Sqn, 1x Cbt Spt Sqn, 1 Maint Sqn, 1 Trans Sqn, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Sqn
Artillery Regt 3x8 gun Bty, 2x STA/UAV Bty, 1 Maint Bty, 1 Trans Bty, 1 HHQ Bty, 1 Admin Bty



1 CDN Para BDE (CFB Petawawa - off base units noted in their description)
I opted for a Para Bde - simply because it allows for force employment worldwide rapidly. This is a 70/30 Reg/Res construct.

1 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) of Armoured Recce (Airborne capable) - a very light tracked vehicle - I am agnostic to what - but all terrain capable of high speeds - low on armor - high on stealth and surveillance.
1 Sqn of Light UH, and 1 Sqn of Chinooks (plus my dreamed AH Squadron) - these are direct BDE assets, I didn't get into naming the Tac Hel Sqn's - as the fight for those is such bigger than what they are called).

CDN Para Regiment
1-4 BN's of Paras (1&2 Para have secondary Arctic tasking, and 3&4 Para have Mountain taskings)
1 Para is 100% Reg Force
2 Para (CFB Trenton) is 30% Reg - 70% Res (res only at PL and below level - Ottawa, Kingtson, and Toronto Res units)
3 Para (CFB Merrit or somewhere in BC) is 100% reg force
4 Para (CFB same as 3 Para) is 30% Reg - 70% Res (Res only at PL and below level - Alberta/ Eastern BC Mountain Res Units)

1-2 CER
1 CER - 70/30 - same recurring zone as 2 Para
2 CER *CFB same as 3-4Para 30/70 (Jump/Mountain Tasks) - same recruiting as 4 Para

1-2 RCHA
1 RCHA 70/30 - same recruiting as 2 Para
2 RCHA *CFB same as 3-4Para 30/70 (Jump/Mountain Tasks) - same recruiting as 4 Para

1 FSB 100% Reg
2 FSB 100% Reg
1 MSB 100% Reg

2 CDN Light BDE (CFB Gagetown - off base units noted in their description)
This is a 30/70 Reg/Res construct.

2 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) of Armoured Recce (I missed the "Armoured in my unit symbol above) - same vehicle and orbit - minus jump tasking as 1CLH
1 Sqn of Light UH (ideally another and a Chinook Sqn too) -- (plus my dreamed AH Squadron)

CDN Light Infantry
1-4 BN's of CLI (1&2 CLI have a primary Arctic tasking, and 3&4 CLI have Amphibious taskings)
1 BN CLI is 70% Reg Force - 30% Res
2 CLI (CFB North Bay) is 30% Reg - 70% Res (res only at PL and below level - other Ontario Res units, not tasked to the Paras)
3 CLI (CFB Vancouver or somewhere in BC) is 50% reg force 50% Res (Res only at PL and below level - Western BC Res Units)
4 CLI is 50% Reg - 50% Res (Res only at PL and below level - Maritime Res Units)

1-2 Bn Cdn CAV Regiment (CFB Wainwright) 20/80% Reg/Res)
LAV BN without troops - for mobility/protection tasks - otherwise assisting with 3 CAB training.

3-4 CER
3 CER - 50/50 Reg/Res - (Arctic Task) same recruiting zone as 2 CLI
4 CER *CFB same as 3 CLI 50/50 Reg/Res (Amphibious Tasks) - same recruiting as 3 CLI

3-4 RCHA
3 RCHA 30/70 - (Arctic Task) same recruiting as 2 CLI
4 RCHA *CFB same as 3 CLI 30/70 (Amphibious Tasks) - same recruiting as 3 CLI

3 FSB Arctic Task 100% Reg
4 FSB (CFB Vancouver) Amphibious Task 100% Reg
3 MSB 100% Reg
4 MSB (CFB Vancouver) Amphibious Task

3 CDN Armored BDE (CFB Wainwright) - off base units noted in their description)
This is a 20/80 Reg/Res construct.
Reg Force Housed at CFB Edmonton - with Simulators - vehicles held in Wainwright - Res Recruiting from Prairie provinces


3 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) Armoured Recce - LAV-Recce Squardon - ideally a small tracked Recce Vehicle - but using LAV for now.

OPCON (CFB Edmonton) 1 Sqn of Light UH (ideally another and a Chinook Sqn too) -- (plus my dreamed AH Squadron)

1-2 Regiment Canadian Dragoons (no Royal)

4 Sqn x Regt

CDN Infantry Regiment
1-4 BN's of CI
1-2 in a IFV - tracked heavy gun/missile system (modern Bradley)
3-4 in LAV or TLAV (until entire Bde converted to Heavy IFV)

5-6 CER

1 ADATS Regiment

5-7 RCHA (5/6 RCHA with SPA, 7 with Armored Tracked Rocket system like MLRS)



5 FSB 100% Reg
6 FSB 70-30 Reg/Res
5 MSB 100% Reg
6 MSB 70-30 Reg/Res

4 CDN Mechanized BDE (CFB Valcartier) - off base units noted in their description)
This is a 30/70 Reg/Res construct.
Res Recruiting from Quebec, and surrounding provinces if needed


4 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) Armoured Recce - LAV-Recce Squardon -

OPCON (CFB Valcartier) 1 Sqn of Light UH (ideally another and a Chinook Sqn too) -- (plus my dreamed AH Squadron)


CDN Infantry Regiment
LAV BN's (3x) naming continues 5-7 from the Armoured CIR

CDN Light Infantry
1 x BN

3rd Cdn CAV Bn



8-10 RCHA (8/9 RCHA with SPA Wheeled, 10 with Armored wheeled Rocket system like MLRS/HIMARS)



7 FSB 100% Reg
8 FSB 70-30 Reg/Res
7 MSB 100% Reg
8 MSB 70-30 Reg/Res




So much more - but this was a pretty brutal wall of text -and I still have 7 more slides with more verbal diarrhea to go

You don't know from verbal diarrhea. I know verbal diarrhea.

 

[KevinB]

You don't know from verbal diarrhea. I know verbal diarrhea.

We'll I had to keep going back and changing the autocorrects of my US English keyboards.
That delayed me a tad.

 

[KevinB]

While I am still working on my graphic for the Bde HQ

Some explanation on KNA (Kevin's Napkin Army)
I chose 4 rifle BN's - as it allows for 1 to rest/refit while using a 2 up 1 back and not have a significant hole.
Plus my experience in Iraq and Afghanistan leads to be believe that a Bn will be needed to conduct D&S work (or at least parts of one) in the Bde area to ensure the safety and security of everyone in the AOR.
Plus you don't want to have to use MP's, MSE OPs etc as Convoy Security - or QRF's - or FARP Security Teams etc.

I doubled (or even tripled) the Arty - as my belief is in a shooting war - one can actually never have enough.

Then the FSB/MSB: I don't honestly think that 2 Forward Service BN are enough for a Bde on operations - the Main Service BN's where to ensure a reasonable ability to keep equipment running, fuel, bullets, food etc moving - and allow the FSB to support the forward troops, and as well recover battle damaged discarded/abandoned equipment.

- I did stick 3 LAV-CAV BN's in there - mainly to support the Light BN's in 2 LB with some protection and mobility - - as well as 1 for the other LIB in 4 CMBG that I had tossed in as a D&S.

 

[FJAG]

small point, but the extra Strat squadron should be co located in Edmonton, so they can make use of existing simulators and maximize their training time.

Yeah. The armoured corps is a bit of a puzzle starting with the fact that there aren't any in Edmonton to start with. That's why the KOCR is 32 CABG's armoured regiment rather than various units from Ontario.

In this little project I tried not to re-role any units but quite frankly I've considered turning either the CalgH or the LEdmR into a tank squadron for that very purpose.

One thing too, I don't see any real armoured training taking place throughout the winter month. It's more a time dedicated to individual refresher training. The real heavy equipment training takes place during the summers at Wainwright.

 

[MilEME09]

Yeah. The armoured corps is a bit of a puzzle starting with the fact that there aren't any in Edmonton to start with. That's why the KOCR is 32 CABG's armoured regiment rather than various units from Ontario.

In this little project I tried not to re-role any units but quite frankly I've considered turning either the CalgH or the LEdmR into a tank squadron for that very purpose.

One thing too, I don't see any real armoured training taking place throughout the winter month. It's more a time dedicated to individual refresher training. The real heavy equipment training takes place during the summers at Wainwright.

South Alberta Light Horse, B Squadron is in Edmonton, they used to be the Alberta Dragoons until the 90s.

 

[Ostrozac]

Well, now you’ve stumbled into one of our sacred cows that is being kept alive in its pasture by the regimental system. How many types of close combat/maneuver soldiers do you actually need?

Currently we have 2 MOSIDs — but 5 types of sub-units.
Tank Squadron
Armoured Recce/Cavalry Squadron
LAV/Mechanized Infantry Company
Light Infantry Company
Parachute Infantry Company

Can’t these jobs all be done by a single MOSID — Combat Arms Soldier? With appropriate special-to-role training? The RCAC in particular seems to struggle with its identity, with pressure from two directions — lots of people fight from AFVs regardless of capbadge, and there are large numbers of RCAC personnel (particularly in the reserves) that lack AFV expertise.

 

[FJAG]

South Alberta Light Horse, B Squadron is in Edmonton, they used to be the Alberta Dragoons until the 90s.

Problem solved. See v 2.0 below

 

[Kirkhill]

Well, now you’ve stumbled into one of our sacred cows that is being kept alive in its pasture by the regimental system. How many types of close combat/maneuver soldiers do you actually need?

Currently we have 2 MOSIDs — but 5 types of sub-units.
Tank Squadron
Armoured Recce/Cavalry Squadron
LAV/Mechanized Infantry Company
Light Infantry Company
Parachute Infantry Company

Can’t these jobs all be done by a single MOSID — Combat Arms Soldier? With appropriate special-to-role training? The RCAC in particular seems to struggle with its identity, with pressure from two directions — lots of people fight from AFVs regardless of capbadge, and there are large numbers of RCAC personnel (particularly in the reserves) that lack AFV expertise.

I think I've offered before the notion of "motors not muscles". My broad sense is that if you have an AFV you fight the AFV. A few troops in back can make themselves useful but if the ground favours dismounts it doesn't favour AFVs. Conversely if the ground favours AFVs it doesn't favour dismounts.

The LAV units should be emphasizing their vehicles in their tactics and most of the "muscle" in the back should be allocated to the foot-borne army.

That leaves you with Black Hat LAVs (and tanks) and infantry on their feet with light vehicles that can be carried by helicopter in support.

 

[Kirkhill]

While I am still working on my graphic for the Bde HQ

Some explanation on KNA (Kevin's Napkin Army)
I chose 4 rifle BN's - as it allows for 1 to rest/refit while using a 2 up 1 back and not have a significant hole.
Plus my experience in Iraq and Afghanistan leads to be believe that a Bn will be needed to conduct D&S work (or at least parts of one) in the Bde area to ensure the safety and security of everyone in the AOR.
Plus you don't want to have to use MP's, MSE OPs etc as Convoy Security - or QRF's - or FARP Security Teams etc.

I doubled (or even tripled) the Arty - as my belief is in a shooting war - one can actually never have enough.

Then the FSB/MSB: I don't honestly think that 2 Forward Service BN are enough for a Bde on operations - the Main Service BN's where to ensure a reasonable ability to keep equipment running, fuel, bullets, food etc moving - and allow the FSB to support the forward troops, and as well recover battle damaged discarded/abandoned equipment.

- I did stick 3 LAV-CAV BN's in there - mainly to support the Light BN's in 2 LB with some protection and mobility - - as well as 1 for the other LIB in 4 CMBG that I had tossed in as a D&S.

And I like the Square formulation although, as you identify, in the circular battle it would actually be a 3+1 configuration.

In the defence it gives you a perimeter of 10 to 2, 2 to 6 and 6 to 10 with a reserve unit in the centre.

In the advance the same arcs are covered with strike force in the centre.

And no obvious seams for the enemy to split and exploit.

 

[FJAG]

Well, now you’ve stumbled into one of our sacred cows that is being kept alive in its pasture by the regimental system. How many types of close combat/maneuver soldiers do you actually need?

Currently we have 2 MOSIDs — but 5 types of sub-units.
Tank Squadron
Armoured Recce/Cavalry Squadron
LAV/Mechanized Infantry Company
Light Infantry Company
Parachute Infantry Company

Can’t these jobs all be done by a single MOSID — Combat Arms Soldier? With appropriate special-to-role training? The RCAC in particular seems to struggle with its identity, with pressure from two directions — lots of people fight from AFVs regardless of capbadge, and there are large numbers of RCAC personnel (particularly in the reserves) that lack AFV expertise.

This type of thinking creates problems. There was a time early this century where artillery operated in career streams of field, AD and STA. It's generally not an issue while you work within your career stream but there comes a point where SrNCMs and officers are looked at as generic items. You could end up with an AD MWO getting posted as a BSM to a gun battery or a gun line/FOO gets appointed an AD Bty commander. It would be fine if these folks had no responsibility other than pers management but a BSM is THE expert on all things gunnery and has to maintain the absolutely highest standards amongst his gunners. An AD Bty commander has the responsibility for managing and advising on all things AD. The experience gained within your occupation/classification is absolutely critical to properly leading/commanding units.

I think for infantry perhaps you can start off with a common light infantry module and then add mech and para modules for those destined to go that way and there might be some crossover possible based on the common skills. On the other hand, the mere attendance that I had, as a gunner, on the combat team commanders course would have been barely adequate for me to take command of either a mech infantry company or a tank squadron. While I had a good grasp of the fundamentals from the course and my time as a FOO had given me some experience in how a company operates, I was far short of the experience needed to properly run one (I did run a Militia company that was really a platoon - but that's another story).

I'm starting to think that perhaps armour and "cavalry" should also be separate occupations/classifications. That said though, the Army is so small that these separate streams make it very difficult to maintain proper career progression when all there is is one tank regiment. It's tough and my guess is that will simply never happen.

One MOSID, however, for all ... what would it accomplish? Soldiers already take a standardized module to teach all the common skills required across the board. And as armour and infantry currently stand they are each large enough to sustain themselves. I can't see any benefit to merging them.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Can’t these jobs all be done by a single MOSID — Combat Arms Soldier? With appropriate special-to-role training? The RCAC in particular seems to struggle with its identity, with pressure from two directions — lots of people fight from AFVs regardless of capbadge, and there are large numbers of RCAC personnel (particularly in the reserves) that lack AFV expertise.

FWIW, 'Close with and Destroy' is not, and probably should not, be owned wholly by the Infantry.

However, it's a mission that is 100% of the Infantry's job.

 

[MilEME09]

Here's a thought to increase the ability of the reserves, three week summer concentrations every year, 1 week in garrison, two in the field. Augment with a small Reg F Cadre to help mentor.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Here's a thought to increase the ability of the reserves, three week summer concentrations every year, 1 week in garrison, two in the field. Augment with a small Reg F Cadre to help mentor.

Better start with a 'mission', or good money will continue to follow bad

 

[Kirkhill]

Better start with a 'mission', or good money will continue to follow bad

Is it worthwhile looking at how the Cadets manage to run annual "concentrations"? Or the Bold Eagle program?

No snark.

 

[KevinB]

Well, now you’ve stumbled into one of our sacred cows that is being kept alive in its pasture by the regimental system. How many types of close combat/maneuver soldiers do you actually need?

Currently we have 2 MOSIDs — but 5 types of sub-units.
Tank Squadron
Armoured Recce/Cavalry Squadron
LAV/Mechanized Infantry Company
Light Infantry Company
Parachute Infantry Company

Can’t these jobs all be done by a single MOSID — Combat Arms Soldier? With appropriate special-to-role training? The RCAC in particular seems to struggle with its identity, with pressure from two directions — lots of people fight from AFVs regardless of capbadge, and there are large numbers of RCAC personnel (particularly in the reserves) that lack AFV expertise.

Absolutely not.

I would argue that you probably should have 4 different MOSID for that.
1) Tanker
2) Armoured Recce/Cav
3) Mech Inf
4) Light Inf

I could be convinced that only three are needed if the LAV Crews are from Armoured Cav, and the Inf aspect to the LAV is just as GIB's- but based on how many of us have seen the Armoured run the LAV - versus the Inf run the LAV - I don't think it would work -- unless those CAVpers are permanently attached in to a LAV unit - and frankly at that point - they have lost the AR aspect.

The other aspect is a lot of folks like to act like LI is just a LAV BN without LAV's - but the entire approach to Warfighting is different (or needs to be) when you do not have an IFV (I don't think the LAV is a good IFV - but for what the CF has been doing - it is basically an IFV).

 

[Kirkhill]

I could be convinced that only three are needed if the LAV Crews are from Armoured Cav, and the Inf aspect to the LAV is just as GIB's- but based on how many of us have seen the Armoured run the LAV - versus the Inf run the LAV - I don't think it would work -- unless those CAVpers are permanently attached in to a LAV unit - and frankly at that point - they have lost the AR aspect.

Kevin, is the principal difference between the Armd and Inf the fact that one tends to fight on the move against moving targets while the other tends to fight from fixed positions against fixed targets? I accept that that is an over-simplification and that between those two extremes there is a universe of gray/grey.

That is why I asked at the beginning of this thread how many people you need in the crew. 2 or 3? I think the infantry can get away with 2 because once the GIBs dismount the LAVs are tied geographically to the ground on which the infantry is fighting. The turret becomes a relocatable machine gun post. The carriers then effectively become the battalion's MG platoon.

Meanwhile the Mounted soldiers, especially when mounted in lightly armoured vehicles see the need to keep on the move, use the ground and maintain situational awareness in a moving bubble at a constant rate of 60 mph.

 

[GR66]

Here's a possible different approach. There are 36 x Companies in the Reg Force Infantry (3 x Infantry Companies and 1 x CS Company per Battalion). There are 48 x Reserve Infantry Regiments (really Company-sized units).

What if you simply paired one Reserve Infantry Regiment/Company with each Reg Force Company. This could be done by either doubling the number of Companies in each Battalion (4 x Reg Force and 4 x Reserve Companies per Battalion) or by effectively doubling the manning of each of the 4 x Companies by having a mix of Reg Force and Reserve troops in each.

Now instead of having two separate Components of the Army you now have a Total Force which is integrated. Battalions would coordinate the training of their Companies to include both their full-time and part-time soldiers and the Reg Force equipment would be available to the Reservists within their own unit.

It would also open up the units to greater potential recruiting. If say for example A Coy, 1 RCR were to be paired with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, then a Reservist could be recruited to the unit from either their satellite location in Ottawa or from the Petawawa area.

There are a couple of options for the remaining 12 x Reserve Infantry Regiments that don't get paired with a Reg Force Company. Twelve Reserve Companies is enough to form a Reserve Brigade. It could be tasked as an Arctic Response Brigade or possibly a Security Force Brigade to provide rear area support the the Canadian Combat Support Brigade (or individual Battalions to support each of the Reg Force Brigade Service Battalions). Alternately, these units could be re-rolled to fill badly needed CSS roles.

If the 10 x Reserve Infantry Brigades are eliminated (or reduced to a single Reserve Brigade) then that staff can be re-directed to RSS support to the Reserve Company locations, extra training support or additional admin support within the Reg Force Battalions to assist with the added administrative overhead.

Support for the units would now be under the umbrella of the Reg Force Service Battalions and the now unneeded Reserve Service Battalions could be rolled into these units as well. That would give greater depth to our Service Battalions as we'd now only have three (or possibly 4) Brigades to support instead of 13.

As part of this re-org you could also tackle the so called "Regimental Mafia" if you wish by switching from 1-3 PPCLI, 1-3 RCR and 1-3 R22eR to nine separately named Battalions (PPCLI, RCR, R22eR, Governor General's Foot Guards, Queens Own Rifles, Les Voltigeurs de Quebec, etc.).

 

[FJAG]

View attachment 66920
So the first swipe at my Napkin Army -- I got ambitious while I was doing this - and this isn't really my 2025 one - more of a 2030.

As I originally didn't have the AH Squadrons - and I have noted in the Armoured BDE that the vehicles where TLAV (interim), I also got ambitious with the Artillery.
I am still working on the BDE HQ constructs - and detailed break downs on the BN's.
For purposes of this I have stuck all the Sigs (Comms), Sigs (EW), NBCW Recce, AND Air Defence) into the Bde HQ's (plus Div HQ), as well as the Aviation CS/CSS.

My goal was PY Neutral - but a increase in the actual "fieldable" force - and major gains to support structures.
Also looking at the size of the CA, I opted for 1 DIV as both the admin side of the Army - and with a Deployable HQ portion if needed).

Each Bde has 4 INF BN's - but pay attention to any Regimental names , each Bde has 2 Gun Regt, Armored Bde and Mech Bde have 2 Gun Regt and 1 Rocket Regt (and eventually all will have 1 LR PF Regt)
Inf BN 4x Line Coy, 1x Cbt Spt Coy, 1 Maint Coy, 1 Trans Coy, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Coy
Armored Reg't 4x Tank Sqn, 1x ARV Coy, 1 Maint Coy, 1 Trans Coy, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Coy
Armored Car/CAV BN - 4 LAV Coy (Crew only) 1x Cbt Spt Coy, 1 Maint Coy, 1 Trans Coy, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Coy
Engineer Regt 3x Fd Sqn, 1x C-IED/EOD Sqn, 1x Cbt Spt Sqn, 1 Maint Sqn, 1 Trans Sqn, 1 HHQ Coy, 1 Admin Sqn
Artillery Regt 3x8 gun Bty, 2x STA/UAV Bty, 1 Maint Bty, 1 Trans Bty, 1 HHQ Bty, 1 Admin Bty



1 CDN Para BDE (CFB Petawawa - off base units noted in their description)
I opted for a Para Bde - simply because it allows for force employment worldwide rapidly. This is a 70/30 Reg/Res construct.

1 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) of Armoured Recce (Airborne capable) - a very light tracked vehicle - I am agnostic to what - but all terrain capable of high speeds - low on armor - high on stealth and surveillance.
1 Sqn of Light UH, and 1 Sqn of Chinooks (plus my dreamed AH Squadron) - these are direct BDE assets, I didn't get into naming the Tac Hel Sqn's - as the fight for those is such bigger than what they are called).

CDN Para Regiment
1-4 BN's of Paras (1&2 Para have secondary Arctic tasking, and 3&4 Para have Mountain taskings)
1 Para is 100% Reg Force
2 Para (CFB Trenton) is 30% Reg - 70% Res (res only at PL and below level - Ottawa, Kingtson, and Toronto Res units)
3 Para (CFB Merrit or somewhere in BC) is 100% reg force
4 Para (CFB same as 3 Para) is 30% Reg - 70% Res (Res only at PL and below level - Alberta/ Eastern BC Mountain Res Units)

1-2 CER
1 CER - 70/30 - same recurring zone as 2 Para
2 CER *CFB same as 3-4Para 30/70 (Jump/Mountain Tasks) - same recruiting as 4 Para

1-2 RCHA
1 RCHA 70/30 - same recruiting as 2 Para
2 RCHA *CFB same as 3-4Para 30/70 (Jump/Mountain Tasks) - same recruiting as 4 Para

1 FSB 100% Reg
2 FSB 100% Reg
1 MSB 100% Reg

2 CDN Light BDE (CFB Gagetown - off base units noted in their description)
This is a 30/70 Reg/Res construct.

2 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) of Armoured Recce (I missed the "Armoured in my unit symbol above) - same vehicle and orbit - minus jump tasking as 1CLH
1 Sqn of Light UH (ideally another and a Chinook Sqn too) -- (plus my dreamed AH Squadron)

CDN Light Infantry
1-4 BN's of CLI (1&2 CLI have a primary Arctic tasking, and 3&4 CLI have Amphibious taskings)
1 BN CLI is 70% Reg Force - 30% Res
2 CLI (CFB North Bay) is 30% Reg - 70% Res (res only at PL and below level - other Ontario Res units, not tasked to the Paras)
3 CLI (CFB Vancouver or somewhere in BC) is 50% reg force 50% Res (Res only at PL and below level - Western BC Res Units)
4 CLI is 50% Reg - 50% Res (Res only at PL and below level - Maritime Res Units)

1-2 Bn Cdn CAV Regiment (CFB Wainwright) 20/80% Reg/Res)
LAV BN without troops - for mobility/protection tasks - otherwise assisting with 3 CAB training.

3-4 CER
3 CER - 50/50 Reg/Res - (Arctic Task) same recruiting zone as 2 CLI
4 CER *CFB same as 3 CLI 50/50 Reg/Res (Amphibious Tasks) - same recruiting as 3 CLI

3-4 RCHA
3 RCHA 30/70 - (Arctic Task) same recruiting as 2 CLI
4 RCHA *CFB same as 3 CLI 30/70 (Amphibious Tasks) - same recruiting as 3 CLI

3 FSB Arctic Task 100% Reg
4 FSB (CFB Vancouver) Amphibious Task 100% Reg
3 MSB 100% Reg
4 MSB (CFB Vancouver) Amphibious Task

3 CDN Armored BDE (CFB Wainwright) - off base units noted in their description)
This is a 20/80 Reg/Res construct.
Reg Force Housed at CFB Edmonton - with Simulators - vehicles held in Wainwright - Res Recruiting from Prairie provinces


3 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) Armoured Recce - LAV-Recce Squardon - ideally a small tracked Recce Vehicle - but using LAV for now.

OPCON (CFB Edmonton) 1 Sqn of Light UH (ideally another and a Chinook Sqn too) -- (plus my dreamed AH Squadron)

1-2 Regiment Canadian Dragoons (no Royal)

4 Sqn x Regt

CDN Infantry Regiment
1-4 BN's of CI
1-2 in a IFV - tracked heavy gun/missile system (modern Bradley)
3-4 in LAV or TLAV (until entire Bde converted to Heavy IFV)

5-6 CER

1 ADATS Regiment

5-7 RCHA (5/6 RCHA with SPA, 7 with Armored Tracked Rocket system like MLRS)



5 FSB 100% Reg
6 FSB 70-30 Reg/Res
5 MSB 100% Reg
6 MSB 70-30 Reg/Res

4 CDN Mechanized BDE (CFB Valcartier) - off base units noted in their description)
This is a 30/70 Reg/Res construct.
Res Recruiting from Quebec, and surrounding provinces if needed


4 Sqn (Canadian Light Horse) Armoured Recce - LAV-Recce Squardon -

OPCON (CFB Valcartier) 1 Sqn of Light UH (ideally another and a Chinook Sqn too) -- (plus my dreamed AH Squadron)


CDN Infantry Regiment
LAV BN's (3x) naming continues 5-7 from the Armoured CIR

CDN Light Infantry
1 x BN

3rd Cdn CAV Bn



8-10 RCHA (8/9 RCHA with SPA Wheeled, 10 with Armored wheeled Rocket system like MLRS/HIMARS)



7 FSB 100% Reg
8 FSB 70-30 Reg/Res
7 MSB 100% Reg
8 MSB 70-30 Reg/Res




So much more - but this was a pretty brutal wall of text -and I still have 7 more slides with more verbal diarrhea to go

 

[FJAG]

Here's a thought to increase the ability of the reserves, three week summer concentrations every year, 1 week in garrison, two in the field. Augment with a small Reg F Cadre to help mentor.

I've also come to that conclusion. I tend to find that much of the winter weeknight and even weekend training is less than optimal. If you reduce that you'll find the paid days to generate an extra week in the field. With between 45-50 days annual training (but all of it quality trg and focused on refresher and collective) you can keep a unit adequately trained over a three-four year cycle.

The difficulty is getting everyone out for it. That requires legislation that both protects jobs as well as mandates reservists be entitled to both the statutory time off for training (unpaid by the employer) and statutory time off for paid summer vacation with their family.