I was following with some interest the thread on JTF2 which was locked recently when it degenerated into nonsense.
I've noticed a common theme among many contributor's with respect to that particular CF Unit.
I'm not trying to bait anyone here, but I am curious. Why the derisive and sarcastic tone in the various posts re: JTF2?
My view on it is as follows. I left the regs in 1996. Had I remained in, I would have tried out for JTF2. The guys in the units I served with in the early to mid 90's when JTF2 was being established generally held them in pretty high esteem. And most of the really good soldiers I remember from that time tried selection eventually. Not everybody made it of course, and there's no shame there. It was designed to be tough. At the same time, there were a few guys I knew who weren't willing to spend the time away from home or get posted to the Ottawa area because of demands made by their family. Again, nothing wrong with that. I'd never criticise anyone who puts their family first.
Other than that though, the only guys I remember who had absolutely no interest in, or regard for JTF2 were the out of shape types in QM or Transport Platoon who had totally lost interest in soldiering.
That's why I'm perplexed by the sarcasm on these posts. I assume people who participate in these forums are still fairly interested in the profession of arms, so why the disparaging tone with regard to JTF2?
Has general opinion among those in Battalions changed that much over the last 9 years? If so why? Is it just "tall poppy syndrome", or something else?
It seems to me that in a peace bound army like Canada's, JTF2 would be a pretty good go. They're about the only unit that offers a decent possibility of real action. They offer the most interesting and varied training available in the forces today, and to someone stuck in Shilo or Gagetown, I would think Ottawa would appear a pretty good place to live.
I'm interested in getting a serious opinion on the matter.
I've noticed a common theme among many contributor's with respect to that particular CF Unit.
I'm not trying to bait anyone here, but I am curious. Why the derisive and sarcastic tone in the various posts re: JTF2?
My view on it is as follows. I left the regs in 1996. Had I remained in, I would have tried out for JTF2. The guys in the units I served with in the early to mid 90's when JTF2 was being established generally held them in pretty high esteem. And most of the really good soldiers I remember from that time tried selection eventually. Not everybody made it of course, and there's no shame there. It was designed to be tough. At the same time, there were a few guys I knew who weren't willing to spend the time away from home or get posted to the Ottawa area because of demands made by their family. Again, nothing wrong with that. I'd never criticise anyone who puts their family first.
Other than that though, the only guys I remember who had absolutely no interest in, or regard for JTF2 were the out of shape types in QM or Transport Platoon who had totally lost interest in soldiering.
That's why I'm perplexed by the sarcasm on these posts. I assume people who participate in these forums are still fairly interested in the profession of arms, so why the disparaging tone with regard to JTF2?
Has general opinion among those in Battalions changed that much over the last 9 years? If so why? Is it just "tall poppy syndrome", or something else?
It seems to me that in a peace bound army like Canada's, JTF2 would be a pretty good go. They're about the only unit that offers a decent possibility of real action. They offer the most interesting and varied training available in the forces today, and to someone stuck in Shilo or Gagetown, I would think Ottawa would appear a pretty good place to live.
I'm interested in getting a serious opinion on the matter.
