Shift for the Reserves - National Post

[Maxpower]

Originally posted by Dano:
[qb] That is a good perspective yet interesting to look it.

But for the most part the public will not allow this to happen.

Up but foremost the US will have something to say about this as well.
As their patriotic selves, they will have indeed something to say, I just hope they do not take advantage of this. [/qb]

Now I find this unfair. Why would the public not want to allow Reservists, like myself, to be trained in the event of a national emergency? I think that people would want the country to be as prepared as possible in the event of a Tradgedy. Why would the US say anything about this? They arn‘t going to ridicule Canada for having actual Trained Reservists. And if they do, what would they be trying to prove. I think that we all should have training as a member of the Canadian Forces in case of public Disasters/emergencies, or at least have the option of taking the training. Then at least we will be Semi-prepared for something that could happen without warning. But then again, it all boils down to the money and resources.

 

[Recce41]

Are they for real? I was in TO for the snow BS. We were there in 6-8 hrs. I didn‘t even see a Reservist until the need day. Also the ice storm, flood. You cannot get a full Coy/Sqn out for an Ex. Can you just see them if they had to shot someone. Civil defence takes more training than, camping in the woods. We trained for a month just to go to the Kingston Pen.

 

[Jeff Boomhouwer]

Finally a mission, some direction. Show me the money and some employment protection.

 

[Korus]

The problem is that there is no obligation to serve once a kid joins the Reserves. They can quit anytime they want, and a lot do when it gets too hard or they don‘t get what they want. If job protection legislation is passed, then people should sign a contract when joining the Reserves.

As a reservist myself, I whole-heartedly agree.

 

[dano]

Originally posted by Maxpower:
[qb]

Originally posted by Dano:
[qb] That is a good perspective yet interesting to look it.

But for the most part the public will not allow this to happen.

Up but foremost the US will have something to say about this as well.
As their patriotic selves, they will have indeed something to say, I just hope they do not take advantage of this. [/qb]

Now I find this unfair. Why would the public not want to allow Reservists, like myself, to be trained in the event of a national emergency? I think that people would want the country to be as prepared as possible in the event of a Tradgedy. Why would the US say anything about this? They arn‘t going to ridicule Canada for having actual Trained Reservists. And if they do, what would they be trying to prove. I think that we all should have training as a member of the Canadian Forces in case of public Disasters/emergencies, or at least have the option of taking the training. Then at least we will be Semi-prepared for something that could happen without warning. But then again, it all boils down to the money and resources. [/qb]

I have now noticed that I failed to be clear, so in effect you mis-understood my post.

I ment to say that in regards to

Maybe it‘s just me, but that has me very nervous as where Martin plans to take the CF. This could be his way of replacing the Reg Force with the reserve as the primary force. The Liberals have a long stand hate for anything Military, and this could be the out they are looking for. Under the cover of terrorist training, Martin can make himself look good to people who vote Liberal, but at the same time make canada a nation of part-time soldiers.

Not sure if this is the direction he is going to take and I sure hope it isn‘t the case, but over the last 10 years one thing I‘ve learned is don‘t trust the Liberals with Nation Defence.. Originally posted by RadioHead.

The public will not allow this to happen to our forces. Pro or Con to the forces. Allowing the PM to do such a thing, if he we‘re to.

 

[Maxpower]

Thanks for the clear up :mg:

 

[elscotto937]

I believe that if we want to have our reserves as a credible force that we can use independently of the regular force or in mutually supporting roles. Then things must change, legislation must be brought in that offers job protection, but this job protection must also involve penalty for failure to show up for a call-out. For example, if there is a position that the military needs you to fill or training that you need to attend, you either attend or get out. This would allow the real soliers in the militia to come out and play, and not just the ones who are lucky enough to have jobs with flexible schedules or those who are otherwise unemployed.
Imagine a terrorist strike where reservists were called out, expecting a regiment and getting 3 people who had nothing better to do.... Reliablity is what I‘m getting at...

 

[logau]

An excellent post.

But we should be clear as to what does it mean to be available on short notice? I‘m given to understand that the regular forces are as busy as the reserves - ie: they are on taskings, trg, deployed, on holidays etc. Their office uniform just happens to be CADPAT.

The ready forces are surprisingly small - what is it - a company per LAND FORCES AREA?

I don‘t think any planner envisions regulars or reserves as in "open another can of soldiers."

What I have seen though recently - is a bonus system that seems quite a powerful enticement where Brit TA soldiers have to get their time sheets signed off and attend certain trg activities throughout the year. Then they get some big $$$$$$.

Anyone got more to fill out here?

Upshot - there are few troops aval initially but over short periods they will start flowing in. I know that few held back when the mountains were on fire this summer.

Originally posted by Scott937:
[QB] I believe that if we want to have our reserves as a credible force that we can use independently of the regular force or in mutually supporting roles. ......

 

[Roger]

I was asked to go fight the fires in BC. But I just finished doing a course and there was no way I could get the time off, I would have loved to have gone but I need a job and if I went I am sure I would have been let go.

 

[RCD]

The entire Armed Forces need to be overhaul.

Including new legislation.

 

[elscotto937]

Logau, I hadn‘t heard of the incentive program for the TA. Do the British deal with the reserves (TA) in the same manner, as we do in Canada (i.e. no job protection). And you are exactly correct, the teeth to tail ratio is too low....Of our ready forces they can deploy in sufficient numbers for small events, but they are only a small force. In addition effectly, a third of them are currently deployed.

 

[logau]

There seems to be a very different emphasis. When I was there last Sept the 75th Engr Regt from Manchester had gone to an advance trg camp for possible deployment to Iraq.

Not sure how far this went but we were excluded from it - as they had tasks they had to get certified on etc.

I do know they will call you up and you have no choice if you‘re family is healthy and no issues like that. I will explore more and get back to you shortly.

With regard to their bonus - everyone I met took it very seriously, and said they‘ll go as far as lock up their troops in camp or on ex so they get the time in to qualify.

More to follow.

Originally posted by Scott937:
[qb] Logau, I hadn‘t heard of the incentive program for the TA. Do the British deal with the reserves (TA) in the same manner, as we do in Canada (i.e. no job protection). And you are exactly correct, the teeth to tail ratio is too low....Of our ready forces they can deploy in sufficient numbers for small events, but they are only a small force. In addition effectly, a third of them are currently deployed. [/qb]

 

[logau]

FOR ALL - Read this VERY Interesting post carefully

As I said - a very different emphasis - see this link http://www.ta.mod.uk/general/benefits.html

Highlights - would you like $2500 a year tax free after you did all your trg and attanded all your exerices? Me too.

Basic Pay and Annual Bounty
You will receive army rates of pay for every day you train, amounting to at least £28.32 a day if you‘re a private soldier. The exact rate you receive will depend on your rank, your trade and your commitment. You may also be refunded travel costs accruing from travelling to your TA centre for training.

On completion of your minimum yearly training requirement, you will also be eligible for a tax-free bonus known as an annual bounty. Again the precise bounty depends on the nature of service, but it is generally £330 for new members, rising to £1,290 for those with five satisfactory years behind them.

Rights and Responsibilities of all

Employers
The TA could not fulfil the important role it does without the support of its members‘ employers. It is support that most are happy to provide because, far from ‘losing‘ their staff to the Army, employers find that they stand to gain as much from the arrangement as the individual, the TA and the rest of us.

TA trained employees are widely regarded as being more committed, dependable, confident and responsible in the workplace. And while some may require a little extra time off to fulfil their training commitment, they more than pay it back with the additional communication, teamworking, problem solving and managerial skills they gain.

To date, more than 6,000 employers, accounting for over 70% of the UK workforce have recognised these benefits and pledged their support to Britain‘s Reserve Forces. These include such names as Abbey National, Next, Powergen, Unilever and the NHS.

Everything you need to know about the triangular relationship between the TA, its members and their employers - including the rights and responsibilities of all parties under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 - is on the SaBRE website.

http://www.sabre.mod.uk/output/Page1.asp

Originally posted by logau:
[QB] There seems to be a very different emphasis....

 

[elscotto937]

Very interesting... their programs seem to contain methods I had never considered.

 

[logau]

Pass the link on to everyone in your email world. The more awareness the better. It seems to me the ultimate self inflicted wound not to lead NATO in reserve regular integration. Unfortunatley we‘re fighting Not Invented Here.... syndrome