STANDARDS

[CANADIAN BACON]

I have joined this site for information and advise concerning my Son's ambition to enlist in the Army Reserves. I would also like to comment on some loose ends that I see in the system.
My son is presently awaiting the final testing procedure and of course is impatient with the delay.
He has just turned 16 but wanted to join last year. In our area there are no Army Cadets so to fill in the time I suggested he enroll with the local Air Cadet Squadron. I reasoned that he would get some relative training and become a valuable recruit. I have to admit he has learned some basic drill and chain of command knowledge but that is where it comes to a definite halt. This is the first reason he is impatient with the delays from the DND. He wants out of the Cadets and into the real deal.
I see what he is up against and can only ask "What are we spending 200 Million on".
My Son was part of the Remembrance Day Guard with the reserve and loved it. Some of his conversations related to training and service. It was said the local Regiment only goes to the rifle range once a year.
Is this true? I was under the impression Army personal reguardless of status trained all year round.
The local Regiment is an Engineering Squad but don't they still need to train?   
My guy can hold his own and I may be bias but trigger time is all important and once a year doesn't cut it
THANKS

 

[dapaterson]

There is much more to training than rifle ranges.  Engineers, for example, will conduct annual refreshers on demolitions, mines, fieldcraft, navigation, bridging, mine warfare... to say nothing of the preparation for exercises, routine administration and ceremonial functions.

All of these, in the Reserve context, on a part-time basis.

 

[Redeye]

The recruiting process can be frustrating, but that's part of life.  It's a lot faster than it used to be in a lot of days.

Most Reserve units go out to range exercises only a few times a year - we qualify annually on our personal weapons and may have opportunities to do live fire training once during the year.  Most units, however, have Small Arms Trainer Simulators to do additional marksmanship work.  There is a lot more to being a soldier than marksmanship though, and training throughout the year will involve a lot more than that.  Realistically with everything to be covered in a year there's not a lot of time to spend at the range.

I'd love to know why you think your opinion would be biased, but you have a blank profile.  Please spend a few minutes to complete it so that we know a bit more about you.

I have joined this site for information and advise concerning my Son's ambition to enlist in the Army Reserves. I would also like to comment on some loose ends that I see in the system.
My son is presently awaiting the final testing procedure and of course is impatient with the delay.
He has just turned 16 but wanted to join last year. In our area there are no Army Cadets so to fill in the time I suggested he enroll with the local Air Cadet Squadron. I reasoned that he would get some relative training and become a valuable recruit. I have to admit he has learned some basic drill and chain of command knowledge but that is where it comes to a definite halt. This is the first reason he is impatient with the delays from the DND. He wants out of the Cadets and into the real deal.
I see what he is up against and can only ask "What are we spending 200 Million on".
My Son was part of the Remembrance Day Guard with the reserve and loved it. Some of his conversations related to training and service. It was said the local Regiment only goes to the rifle range once a year.
Is this true? I was under the impression Army personal reguardless of status trained all year round.
The local Regiment is an Engineering Squad but don't they still need to train?     
My guy can hold his own and I may be bias but trigger time is all important and once a year doesn't cut it
THANKS

 

[darmil]

i've been in the reserves for 13 yrs.We go to the range once a yr to qualify PWT 3 Personal Weapons Test level three my unit being Infantry.There is other scheduled live fire training depends on the unit and location (close to major base).I agree trigger time is important a lot of soldiers have their own AR15's to practice.Don't worry if he wants to go to Afghanistan he'll have a wonderful 10 month pre deployment training to do before he goes over.Trust me we are trained very well before the real deal 10 month pre training is over kill!.I've been back 60 or so days from the litter box.

 

[CANADIAN BACON]

Thanks for the reply.
It's all good information and very helpfull
Thanks again.