Reserve Q?s: Is summer training mandatory? Is it difficult to find the time as a student?

[muskrat89]

The tank thing was a rhetorical example, not a literal one. Sorry I didn‘t clarify. So, what you don‘t like is people who shirk their responisbilities, and systems that don‘t hold them accountable. I don‘t know if you‘ve ever done other jobs besides the military, but those people and situations are disliked in all walks of life, and all professions. I could list examples of Regular Force soldiers who were not shining examples of world-class work ethics, but that would quickly degrade into an argument that I‘m not going to partake in, with you or anyone else. Slackers and morons are not unique to the Reserves. To paint everyone and everything with one brush as you do, does not do your knowledge and experience justice.

 

[DnA]

sorry, I‘ll stop answering threads then

but, I‘m just posting what i know

Reserves do train once a week, an usually 1 weekend a month, etc


an, I‘v been in the Reserve for almost a month, so I do have a little time in, an I‘m just going by with what I‘v been told by others in my unit an such

 

[DnA]

Combat_Medic

I‘m just stating what it‘s like for me now

 

[Jarnhamar]

DNA everyone has a right to their own opinion, even if its the world is flat.
I think what might help in this situation is if you answer questions just make sure the person/s your speaking to understand the amount of expierence you have within the military. Most of us can‘t answer a question about what it‘s like to be on the BMQ nor could you answer what it was like to be on a QL2, see what i mean?

I really agree with what Recce41 said about COs and RSS staff being reg force. They know the ins and outs of the system a lot better, they know a lot more people In the system to call in favors. That being said the reg force guys have to understand the nature of the reserves. As dumb as it is, you can‘t force reserve guys to work. If you have 4 training nights with 3 periods of drill each, chances are your not going to have many people on the 5th training night. Is it right? Probably not but thats how it works.
I think the major problem with the reserves is they are treated with such kid gloves. If you say ‘live fire excersise‘ a lot of them are actually afraid. I‘ve actually heard privates say "screw that im not going to the jungle lanes this week-end i can get shot". Half the fault is theirs for their attitude but i think the other half of the blame falls on the army for not giving them realistic enough training. You can‘t train and treat people like kids then expect them to act like adults when the time comes.

 

[PTE Gruending]

Combat Medic is right, as PTE‘s we are at the low end of the totem poll. There is a lot of paperwork, and "on your own time" planning and logistics to be done even for a parade night by the brass.

DNA: you can‘t make a common assumption that Reserve life is OK for all students. For instance if you are in high school: For all we know, you have an easy time with Reserve timings because (theoretically): a) you could be in all bootstrap classes, still learning your capital A‘s b) not play sports, have extra-curricular activity c) whatever, you could take the Military very seriously.

Another student in your position could be attempting to get scholarships, play sports, doing all sorts of stuff.

Bedpan:
Personally I know this: I am a University Student and it takes extreme precedence. If I wanted the Military to takeover my life I would have joined the Reg force. <sarcasm> Why arent you in the Regs? Something more important than the Army</Sarcasm>.

Now I too am sick of all the little high-school kiddies complaining to their SC‘s and 2IC‘s, "I cant do this or that because I have essays due, etc etc". Get a grip; drop out of the Army or School, or plan better.

 

[ninty9]

I‘ve heard too many ‘I can‘t come out because my teacher/prof assigned me this assignment due monday like two months ago, but now I‘m getting around to doing it.‘

Yeah, I understand where your going. Its a time managment thing lke you said before. People should know, but a lot leave it until last minute. I agree that this shouldn‘t be an excuse.

 

[DnA]

once again, I‘am just simply saying what it is like for me..

i‘m sure, their are plenty of people who have difficulty keeping up with school/job an reserves

 

[DnA]

in my Signiture, i had it listed that I was only a member of Pat Platoon, so i just assume whoever read my post‘s would know I was only a new recruit in the army, but next time I will add more info in my responses

an ghost, thanks for telling me "how to correct" what i did, instead of telling me to basically shut up cause I know nothing

 

[PTE Gruending]

Recce41, may I ask what is the source of your animosity towards the Reserve force?

Food for thought: Canadian Army (or CF for that matter): what would it look like without a Reserve Force? Are there any nations without such a thing as a Militia or Reserve? And how do they deal with current issues?

Thanks

 

[logistik]

What recce41 is saying is that he doesn‘t like the attitude of the average reservist. The "I‘ll show up or I won‘t, who cares." You need to be commited. Even if it is a part time job you should not take it lightly. Its like the ads say, " It‘s not your average part time job." So don‘t treat it like one. Show up as much as you possibly can. And try and show everyone that you aren‘t just another reservist. Show that you take the job serious.

But **** , what do I know? I am a FNG myself.

 

[muskrat89]

I‘m trying really hard not to get drawn into this, but I am weak... I can only speak for the Unit I was in. Maybe 10% were lazy, or slackers, or useless. Getting rid of them, or making them accountable was an uphill battle, administratively. That bothered the conscientious Reservists in the Unit. The rest of the Unit were dedicated, professional as they could be, and there BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO BE. not because it was a "job", or career they were stuck in. Unless things have changed, or I was in a unique Unit, I don‘t agree with what you call the attitude of the "average" reservist. RSS staff was hit and miss - I didn‘t get the impression it was a plum posting. Many of our BSMs and RSMs were ex-Regular Force - again hit and miss. Instead of being there because they enjoyed it, and had spent 15 years in the Unit, while also filling another role in the Community - they were there because it was a convenient place to semi-retire, after their career in the Regs, and the presiding BSMs and RSMs were probably former buddies. Finally, to give Recce some creedance, I don‘t blame Regular Force soldiers for their perceptions of the Militia. That is because, and I have said it before, we don‘t send our brightest and best on callouts and other taskings, because they usually cannot be spared from their civvie jobs. We sent (often, not always) who was able to go. Often they were members of the 10%, mentioned above.

 

[portcullisguy]

Thought I have only been in less than a year, and am still doing BMQ, I am starting to understand what level of committment the reserves like to see out of its members - at least in 32CBG.

An anecdotal example: My friend and co-worker is in an armoured regiment here in Toronto. On a weekend he was supposed to be working, he still managed to find time after work to show up at the armoury on the Friday night as the unit prepared to go to Meaford. He couldn‘t go himself, but there he was helping sort out kit, and basically lending a hand making sure everything went off as planned. Sure, it‘s a half-day‘s pay, but I think for him the reward is also participation, even when he cannot commit to the whole weekend because of work.

Clearly, our committment to the federal public service jobs we hold takes priority, in our case. He also knows that the reserves won‘t work if no one shows up.

 

[Brad Sallows]

>Is summer training for Reserves mandatory?

Not if the courses are available part-time. While as noted there is very little one can be compelled to do, each reserve soldier has a strong ethical obligation to make the time to complete BMQ, SQ, and MOC (first level of trade training, eg. infantry) as soon as possible. All of that should be achievable in as little as a single summer (if schedules were so arranged) or, I suggest, two years at the outside.

>Couldn‘t the BMQ and the rest of Basic Training be completed during the one evening a week and certain weekends that must be attended for training?

Yes, when and where the courses are offered part-time.

>Also, is it two or three weekends a month for training?

Most unit Sep-May annual training schedules will occupy one evening per week, one full weekend per month, and one weekend day (eg. Sat) per month. Not all of that will necessarily be required of every soldier.

Most part-time courses run on separate schedules which may coincide with the host unit‘s annual training schedule. The pattern will vary by area. For example, in BC (39 CBG) the preferred mix is a three-week cycle of two weekends on and one weekend off.

 

[Veteran`s son]

Thank you for all of your replies!

I know that I have asked many questions about joining/serving in the Reserves but the informative replies from the group were helpful to me!

I am glad to be a member of this message board.

Thank you again!

 

[ender]

The reserves is the ideal part-time job for any student.

Why?

Because you are pretty much gauranteed a job every summer when you are off school. A well-paying job.

During the year you have a part-time job that pays pretty good money for the hours you work. It‘s also a good break from everyday life.

If you are having trouble managing school work and the Army, you can always take time off. If you really can‘t manage it, you can go ED&T (exempt drill and training) for up to 90 days without any real trouble.

What other job is that flexible? What other job can you say "sorry, I can‘t work tonight because I have a big exam the next day"?

A good percentage of the people in my unit are either in school or have finished school. Managing school and the reserves is in many ways eaiser than trying to get enough time off work. If you can‘t make it work when you are a student, then the reserves is probably not for you.