The Canadian Soldier

[KevinB]

I missed this when it got split.

The problem is the interpretations drawn from the survey.

The whole way the questions where ask was IMHO designed to give a skewed responce - or at least and intended responce.

Why - cause just becasue I beleive we should be one army, one uniform, one standard - I seem to be shoehorned into this stereotypical view point that is uneducated small town redneck - where I grew up in Ottawa, and went to university.

IF any of those twits who made the survey up came aroudn to explain their questions and in turn discuss our answers then I might have had a glimmering of respect for it and the designers.

I can make a survey too, and I can twist the question format to give whatever responce I desire.

I fail to see how One Army One Standard is anything but equal and fair to all - but I guess I left out the special interest groups - that are a little more equal than the rest of us.



 

 

[childs56]

i got a friendly reminder the other day on what i have posted on here may be used against me in the future. so be carefull in how you word things. hopefully this is not the case but i can see it happening. I totally agree one Army one Standard. make a choice and stick with it.

 

[Reccesoldier]

Not to derail this topic but I recently went for french testing, because I wanted to go on a year long french crse.

I applied on line and was given a date for the 2 written tests and one oral test.

So I showed up at the appointed time and place and wrote the 2 exams, one to test my understanding of written french and one to check my ability to write french (although this was done with multiple choice questions)

I was told that I would get the results of these tests in a couple of days. Sure enough I did, I got a "B" on the comprehension and an "X" on the writing. Apparently the "X" is a failure, so I was informed not to bother showing up for my oral exam because... you guessed it....

I DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW ENOUGH FRENCH TO BE TAUGHT HOW TO SPEAK FRENCH

WTF???????????????????????????????????????

BTW, When I was on my 6A I was the only Anglo in a "Bilingual" troop. By the time the course ended (6weeks) my french Troop WO was convinced that I knew how to speak french and had been playing him for a fool the entire time.

The CF's SLT has been badly managed and badly implemented. Could it be successful? Hell yeah! But someone up the chain has to come to the realization that the majority of Canadians do not speak french, do not live in areas where they hear french regularly, and do not get adequate french instruction in school. Therefore if the CF is going to make french mandatory for CF personnel they have to instruct the majority of soldiers not one out of a hundred and hope for the best.

 

[childs56]

Yes what a catch 22 on learning French. Seems as you wanted to further your abilites makes it all the worse to be slapped in the face. Sorry to hear that.

 

[bossi]

... The CF's SLT has been badly managed and badly implemented. ...

I agree - back in the 80's I tried to write a test, but the volume/quality on the speakers was so poor I couldn't hear what they were saying - I asked for the volume to be turned up, but the OCdt running the test said it was at the maximum ... so, rather than fail the test because the volume was too low, I withdrew after two minutes ... and they failed me anyway ... hmmm ...

 

[FastEddy]

well done. You had an opportunity to make a change and instead you made a joke. You have now given up your right to *****.

Its quite obvious of your disapproval of "Go", but I'm not clear on what change you would have liked to see him express.

Do you really think that a overwhelming expression of opinion can change a predetermined course of action.

 

[pbi]

Do you really think that a overwhelming expression of opinion can change a predetermined course of action.

 

If people pay attention, yes. Clothe the Soldier (whether you like its current products or not...) was based on the premise of getting soldiers' opinions on kit, and on looking at what they would buy themselves and why. Course design at our schools always takes into account the opinion of the students, as well as the opinions of the people who employ them. Ratings boards are all about expressions of opinion (albeit backed up by facts). I could go on, but the expression of opinion is important in our Army. The Army should NOT be run on the basis of opinion polls, but input is important especially with an Army as intelligent, well-educated and experienced as ours is.

Cheers.

 

[FastEddy]

 

If people pay attention, yes. Clothe the Soldier (whether you like its current products or not...) was based on the premise of getting soldiers' opinions on kit, and on looking at what they would buy themselves and why. Course design at our schools always takes into account the opinion of the students, as well as the opinions of the people who employ them. Ratings boards are all about expressions of opinion (albeit backed up by facts). I could go on, but the expression of opinion is important in our Army. The Army should NOT be run on the basis of opinion polls, but input is important especially with an Army as intelligent, well-educated and experienced as ours is.

Cheers.

Yes I agree with you whole heartedly, that Views, Opinions and Preferences may direct a course of
action or decision, this procedure can be very useful and important.

But as I suggested, if a decision or course of action has been pre-decided regardless of public opinion or
data gathered. And that all the information and data gathered could also be subject to favourable manipulation.

Yes sometimes you can beat City Hall, but if Ottawa or AHQ has pre-decided its going to be a certain way,
all the kicking and screaming isn't going to change the outcome.

What you are asked or presented with to-day, may be whats going to happen in the future period !.

[Moderator note: Edited to better differentiate reply from original quote - no content changed]

 

[pbi]

What you are asked or presented with to-day, may be whats going to happen in the future period !.

Roger that, 100%. So, when given a chance to give your input, I say you should give it as clearly and honestly as you can. It may change things, or it may not, But if you say nothing, or you spoil your response, please don't complain that "nobody listens". To me it's like people who refuse to vote by saying "my vote doesn't make any difference anyway". My response is: "well...in your case, you're probably right." (and that isn't directed at you, by the way-it is a general comment)

Cheers.

 

[GO!!!]

Wow, lots to respond to...

On the issue of second language trg - I am all for it, as I am a successful graduate of both military and civilian courses. What I take to issue is the particular language and dialect the CF has decreed is the optimal choice. Why is SLT not offered in useful languages? (1 Billion residents of this planet speak an Arabic variant, and a further billion speak Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese) Yet we study the colloquilism -laden and internationally confounding quebec dialect. Brilliant.

On the issue of a Francophone conspiracy - Quebec has 17% of the total population of Canada, but produces 44% of the successful RMC entrants, and francophones comprise 47% of the officer corps. In addition to this - a BBB profile or higher is required for all executive level positions within the DND or any other federal department - a BBB profile in english and french. Given that bilingual westerners are more likely to speak an oriental language - this is a naturally discriminatory system.

On the issue of Clothe the soldier - yes, it did gather the opinions of soldiers, and totally disregarded them. The tac vest is a perfect example, as is the lack of pockets on the arms of the cbt shirt. Try to carry 10 mags and 2 canteens in that POS. Or use it if you are a support weapons gunner. The gathering of opinions is only of use if they are heeded.

Gambei!

 

[George Wallace]

Wow, lots to respond to...

On the issue of second language trg - I am all for it, as I am a successful graduate of both military and civilian courses. What I take to issue is the particular language and dialect the CF has decreed is the optimal choice. Why is SLT not offered in useful languages? (1 Billion residents of this planet speak an Arabic variant, and a further billion speak Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese) Yet we study the colloquilism -laden and internationally confounding quebec dialect. Brilliant.

On the issue of a Francophone conspiracy - Quebec has 17% of the total population of Canada, but produces 44% of the successful RMC entrants, and francophones comprise 47% of the officer corps. In addition to this - a BBB profile or higher is required for all executive level positions within the DND or any other federal department - a BBB profile in english and french. Given that bilingual westerners are more likely to speak an oriental language - this is a naturally discriminatory system.

Don't worry Gambei.  With the Liberal conspiracies that are taking place right now, after the next election they will blame the Conservatives for a new Quebec Referendum and the eventual break up of the country.  Then we won't have this conspiracy that you are alluding to. 
;D

 

[Jungle]

Don't worry Gambei.   With the Liberal conspiracies that are taking place right now, after the next election they will blame the Conservatives for a new Quebec Referendum and the eventual break up of the country.   Then we won't have this conspiracy that you are alluding to.

I'm starting to think Alberta will separate before Québec...

 

[GO!!!]

If Albertans are smart - they will make the same separtist sounds that quebec has, get themselves labelled a "have not province" and enjoy lucrative federal subsidies on everything from fuel to daycare! This will run the country into the ground - eventually necessitating the equal treatment of all provinces - "distinct" or not.

 

[Medic36Canada]

Ok I could not help myself I had to post, this is another joke and waste of money. We as serving soldiers or ex soldiers know the military rewards people who are tow the party line. When sharp training came in it was taught to me by a militant lesbian who hated men. We watch generals come to visit us during peacekeeping operations to pat each other on the back and get there medal. This should not surprise anyone of us. Look at some the the people in key positions in the military fat selfserving wastes of rations. The government must love these knobs. I don't mean to sound down on the officer corp. but I am down on the officer corp. They no longer lead by example, just destroy good soldiers careers and do meaning crap like this. Anyone belong to the Semi-armored corp. My heart goes out to the regular soldier who keeps himself fit and can do his job properly. He may kill the enemy only to be destroyed by his government and his leadership. I am glad I have finished my 12 years of service and walked. Take care all you young men who are serving our country....yes I did only mention the men.

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Quotes,
taught to me by a militant lesbian who hated men
Take care all you young men who are serving our country....yes I did only mention the men.

...so one could assume by that comment then that your a "militant" gay?

 

[Cloud Cover]

I'm starting to think Alberta will separate before Québec...

I'm trying to find a way to merge South Western Ontario with Alberta!!

 

[Roy Harding]

... I was told that I would get the results of these tests in a couple of days. Sure enough I did, I got a "B" on the comprehension and an "X" on the writing. Apparently the "X" is a failure, so I was informed not to bother showing up for my oral exam because... you guessed it....

I DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW ENOUGH FRENCH TO BE TAUGHT HOW TO SPEAK FRENCH
...[unquote]

In the early '90s I volunteered for French Language Training.  I was given the MLAT test (multiple language aptitude test - I think) which was supposed to ascertain your APTITUDE for learning other languages.  I was also given an aural French test (no written test).  I was told that I scored in the top 3 percentile of those who had an aptitude for learning languages, and scored a "Negative Zero" in French ability.

Of course, I figured - high aptitude for learning, no ability in French - I'm a shoe in!  Of course I wasn't - I was told I'd have to learn some French before they'd teach me some French - despite my aptitude.

I never again volunteered for SLT, but I did pick up a fair bit of Serbo-Croatian when I was in FRY (which I quickly lost on return home, only to quickly pick up again on second and third tours), so I guess their aptitude test wasn't far off the mark.

I'm retired now, and no longer have military career aspirations - but I remain convinced that SLT (at least for Anglos) was a miserable failure.

 

[pbi]

Ok I could not help myself I had to post, this is another joke and waste of money. We as serving soldiers or ex soldiers know the military rewards people who are tow the party line. When sharp training came in it was taught to me by a militant lesbian who hated men. We watch generals come to visit us during peacekeeping operations to pat each other on the back and get there medal. This should not surprise anyone of us. Look at some the the people in key positions in the military fat selfserving wastes of rations. The government must love these knobs. I don't mean to sound down on the officer corp. but I am down on the officer corp. They no longer lead by example, just destroy good soldiers careers and do meaning crap like this. Anyone belong to the Semi-armored corp. My heart goes out to the regular soldier who keeps himself fit and can do his job properly. He may kill the enemy only to be destroyed by his government and his leadership. I am glad I have finished my 12 years of service and walked. Take care all you young men who are serving our country....yes I did only mention the men.

I don't understand this post. What is it actually about?

Cheers.

 

[Infanteer]

Ok I could not help myself I had to post, this is another joke and waste of money. We as serving soldiers or ex soldiers know the military rewards people who are tow the party line. When sharp training came in it was taught to me by a militant lesbian who hated men. We watch generals come to visit us during peacekeeping operations to pat each other on the back and get there medal. This should not surprise anyone of us. Look at some the the people in key positions in the military fat selfserving wastes of rations. The government must love these knobs. I don't mean to sound down on the officer corp. but I am down on the officer corp. They no longer lead by example, just destroy good soldiers careers and do meaning crap like this. Anyone belong to the Semi-armored corp. My heart goes out to the regular soldier who keeps himself fit and can do his job properly. He may kill the enemy only to be destroyed by his government and his leadership. I am glad I have finished my 12 years of service and walked. Take care all you young men who are serving our country....yes I did only mention the men.

Wow, welcome to Army.ca.  Nice first post, but do you want to try again, because most of us don't take bitchy ranting too seriously when it blows through the saloon doors like tumbleweed....

 

[Cloud Cover]

Wow, welcome to Army.ca.  Nice first post, but do you want to try again, because most of us don't take bitchy ranting too seriously when it blows through the saloon doors like tumbleweed....

I always thought your writing style reflected the character style of a typical sherriff in any of Louis L'Amour novels. You ought to change your Avatar to the 5 point tin.