Topic: Divining the right role, capabilities, structure, and Regimental System for Canada's Army Reserves

[recceguy]

Do you really need to be trade qualified to wrangle vehicles though? I agree that it's not really a relaity in a lot of places but I think it applies in most of the larger cities in Canada.

Your inexperience and ignorance astound me. You obviously have no concept of what other trades, that you wish to toss around willy nilly, do, or how they accomplish it. Yet there you are moving peoples careers around like chess pieces. You've just become that noob poster that comes here stating that we should buy B29s to do bombing missions, without any consideration to cost or any other factor. Just a personal wish to feel cool and wanted. I'm all done with this.

[MCG]

Do you really need to be trade qualified to wrangle vehicles though?

If you are referring to the Tp WO example, yes you do need to be qualified in the job of the unit.

[R031button]

Okay, that was really just an honest question. My reserve unit, RMRang, has an RSM that's formally of the BCDs (ie not a qualified Infanteer) and an RQ from them as well. I work in WATC TSC's transport section right now, under a MSE Op WO. 

I was under the impression we were discussing the hypothetical here, I apologize.

[MCG]

Okay, that was really just an honest question. My reserve unit, RMRang, has an RSM that's formally of the BCDs (ie not a qualified Infanteer) and an RQ from them as well. I work in WATC TSC's transport section right now, under a MSE Op WO. 

I have seem many units where the CO and/or RSM were from "outside" occupations.  These positions largely become administrators lacking the technical competencies to develop the Maj & MWO within the unit's occupation.

The ability to parachute another occupation into most positions just does not work though.  The Tp WO must be the technical expert within his occupation to supervise and develop the Sr NCO of the Tp (same of the Sgts for supervision and development of their sections/crews).

[R031button]

Oh, god, for some reason I read Tp as transport. Foot firmly in mouth.

[Michael O'Leary]

Before we go too far down this road of rejecting the idea of cross-posting senior personnel to offset shortfalls in other units, it might be worthwhile to review daftandbarmy's original comment.  He was specifically commenting on general tasks, not trade specific skillsets. 

One of the perceived barriers we have to break down are the 'regimental silos' we operate within. If one unit has more WOs and Majors than it needs, they should be cross posted to other units that need the help. Training plan and budget management, recruiting and personnel management is pretty much the same from one unit to another.

The use of cross-posting could ensure those trade specific experts also remain in the chain of command where their particular skills are need most, rather than being promoted upwards into a vacuum they aren't ready to fill (and being replaced by an equally unready subordinate themselves).  I would add that the control over what positions need to be backfilled and for how long needs to rest with the receiving unit..

[Haggis]

Commander LFCA has already sai that this is an acceptable alternative for units that don't have the succession depth to generate thier own command teams.  Indeed, in LFCA, 33 CBG now has a commander who hails from London.  Nobody has died because of it and the brigade hasn't imploded.

[dapaterson]

Commander LFCA has already sai that this is an acceptable alternative for units that don't have the succession depth to generate thier own command teams.  Indeed, in LFCA, 33 CBG now has a commander who hails from London.  Nobody has died because of it and the brigade hasn't imploded.

"The brigade hasn't imploded..." any more than usual.

But then, 33 CBG has always been special...

[Doyle RS]

As a member of a unit who now has had three non Engr RSMs in a row, the unit moral can go down slightly.  It all depends on the new RSM and his attitude, and approach.

The first two did all right, and both gave a different flavour to the ranks.  Nbr three has just started and it looks as it will go swimmingly.

This is a result BTW of a mass release of WO, Sgts, and Mcpls in 94, the parachuting of two Reg F MWOs upon retirement (one did a great job), and no succession planning. 

So will the world end if a non unit mbr takes over a key position NO.  Do the younger NCOs need to be on the top of the game trade wise YES.

[ArmyRick]

Why not form units in a similar manner to the London Regiment in England?

Its an infantry regiment where each company represents it former unit (cap badges and titles)
An example of how it is set up
London Regiment
HQ Company
A (London Scottish) Company
B (Queen's Regiment) Company
C (City of London Fusiliers) Company
D (London Irish Rifles) Company

One example I will use is Toronto.
The Toronto Regiment
A (48th Highlanders) Company
B (Queen's Own Rifles) Company
C (Royal Regiment) Company
D (Toronto Scottish) Company

I could see this working as well in areas where regiments are spread out such and not in one city (use the battalion system) for example

1st Battalion, Ontario Light Infantry
A (RHLI) Company
B (Linc and Well) Coy
C (A and SH) Coy

2nd Battalion, Ontario Light Infantry
D (4RCR) Coy
E (E and K) Coy

etc, etc, etc.

I beleive this system can work because we organize our reserve units like that now anyways on weekend and other exercises.

Thoughts? Ideas? Opinions? Anybody want to whip a can of mashed pumpkin at my head?

[daftandbarmy]

The regular army has about a million Captains, Majors and Light Kernels doing marginally interesting/ value added work in various HQs around the country and elsewhere (OK, I've got a dodgy database but you get my drift).

Why not post some of them in to get some command time, especially if they have family in the area, as COs and OCs, with a mandate to help generate their Class A replacements? Heck, if they come back to the area on retirement at a later date they might even consider joining up. We could do the same with SNCOs too.

And before you try to burn me as a heretic (sorry, nomex undies) I lived through the 'Totally Forced' phase and agree that sucked. There's no way we should try a repeat of that interesting sociological experiment. 

[Rifleman62]

Here we go again.

I lived through the 'Totally Forced' phase

You had a good Reg F CO though.

[daftandbarmy]

Here we go again.
 You had a good Reg F CO though.

Yeah, too bad he was in Edmonton and we were on Vancouver Island. Never saw him. Unlike the OC and the CSM they inflicted upon us unfortunately. Oh, the humanity 

Right then, this thread derailing insanity must stop!

[Rifleman62]

Wrong guy.

I thought this thread had been beaten to death.

[George Wallace]

The regular army has about a million Captains, Majors and Light Kernels doing marginally interesting/ value added work in various HQs around the country and elsewhere (OK, I've got a dodgy database but you get my drift).

Why not post some of them in to get some command time, especially if they have family in the area, as COs and OCs, with a mandate to help generate their Class A replacements? Heck, if they come back to the area on retirement at a later date they might even consider joining up. We could do the same with SNCOs too.

And before you try to burn me as a heretic (sorry, nomex undies) I lived through the 'Totally Forced' phase and agree that sucked. There's no way we should try a repeat of that interesting sociological experiment. 

Ya know......Just this very thing has been happening for the past fifteen or so years. 

[daftandbarmy]

Ya know......Just this very thing has been happening for the past fifteen or so years.

Really? Not in the units out this way AFAIK. We've got the standard 1 x Reg F Capt plus 1 x Class B Adm O (soon to be axed... the position that is, not the person) and a Reg F WO position. There are no Reg F COs/OCs/CSMs/RSMs of mole-itia units.

Where's this being done now, and is it working out OK?

[RangerRay]

Why not form units in a similar manner to the London Regiment in England?

Its an infantry regiment where each company represents it former unit (cap badges and titles)
An example of how it is set up
London Regiment
HQ Company
A (London Scottish) Company
B (Queen's Regiment) Company
C (City of London Fusiliers) Company
D (London Irish Rifles) Company

One example I will use is Toronto.
The Toronto Regiment
A (48th Highlanders) Company
B (Queen's Own Rifles) Company
C (Royal Regiment) Company
D (Toronto Scottish) Company

I could see this working as well in areas where regiments are spread out such and not in one city (use the battalion system) for example

1st Battalion, Ontario Light Infantry
A (RHLI) Company
B (Linc and Well) Coy
C (A and SH) Coy

2nd Battalion, Ontario Light Infantry
D (4RCR) Coy
E (E and K) Coy

etc, etc, etc.

I beleive this system can work because we organize our reserve units like that now anyways on weekend and other exercises.

Thoughts? Ideas? Opinions? Anybody want to whip a can of mashed pumpkin at my head?

I like it.  I think the Brits also did the same thing with the Scottish and Welsh regiments.

For British Columbia:

1st Bn., British Columbia Light Infantry
A (The Rocky Mountain Rangers) Coy
B (The Royal Westminster) Coy
C (The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada) Coy
D (The Canadian Scottish [Princess Mary's]) Coy

British Columbia Light Horse Regiment
A (The British Columbia Regiment [Duke of Connaught's Own]) Sqn
B (The British Columbia Dragoons) Sqn

Although even with the artillery, engineers and service battalion, 39 Brigade would be a pretty skimpy brigade!

[MCG]

Thoughts?

I think your idea is fairly consistent with one of the more popular themes for change that some are promoting in this thread.  I am a supporter of the multi-regimental battalion.  There is also Canadian precedent for such organizations in the multi-regimental battalions that fisrt filled our NATO comitment to Europe.

[George Wallace]

Really? Not in the units out this way AFAIK. We've got the standard 1 x Reg F Capt plus 1 x Class B Adm O (soon to be axed... the position that is, not the person) and a Reg F WO position. There are no Reg F COs/OCs/CSMs/RSMs of mole-itia units.

Where's this being done now, and is it working out OK?

I know that both the RCD and RCR have over the past 15 years had officers fill the role of CO in a Reserve Unit.  One that I know personally went back to command our old Reserve unit in PEI and then continued to wear the PEIR hatbadge when he was posted back to NDHQ before being posted off to Australia.  (Army Vern can verify  this.)  He was replace in PEI by a Strat, who was also Regular Force at the time.  I have heard of several other instances where this has been done.

 

[E.R. Campbell]

I know that both the RCD and RCR have over the past 15 years had officers fill the role of CO in a Reserve Unit.  One that I know personally went back to command our old Reserve unit in PEI and then continued to wear the PEIR hatbadge when he was posted back to NDHQ before being posted off to Australia.  (Army Vern can verify  this.)  He was replace in PEI by a Strat, who was also Regular Force at the time.  I have heard of several other instances where this has been done.

Roger that; Col R.G. Elms, of The RCR, (about to retire from his post as CFA Tel Aviv) was CO of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders just a few years ago.

[dapaterson]

The Army Commander has, in the past, had a very small number of positions to provide Reg F COs/DCOs to Reserve units.  However, rather than serving as a bridge when there was a gap in succession, it can become a crutch, with the same units repeatedly unable to generate senior leaders.

The Reg F has been unable to fill many of their Regular Force Cadre positions for a number of years now (for a while, less than half of Infantry Officer positions were manned, and under 10% of Artillery Officer positions were filled; I don't know of the current situation), so I do not see any increase to the number of positions allotted in the near term.

[shamu]

"So, where do you cut?  Full time work?  Reserves?  Family?  Outside life?  Or do we limit ourselves to lower-tier command candidates with either (1) no life, (2) no family and/or (3) no real career outside the military?"

Life: Priority of work for the Mo soldier.

#1 - Family.  #2 - Civilian Job/Education #3 - Reserves. #4 - Sports/Community/Hobbies

With a calendar, pen and 9erDelta you can achieve a workable plan.  This is the template I set out for my subs in managing their personal affairs. 

In this we guide soldiers to plan the multiple priorities in their lives; better attendance, better morale, better troops.  Instead of being overwhelmed, they're behind the 8 ball.  When we plan training or an event we also get a more reliable "Yes" or "No".

Few years back, an incoming CO we had at our Res unit did something really effective, IMO.  He let us know his/our priorities and expectations.  Helps the Res soldier book time off work, plan with family:

Priorities for Reserve duties:

#1 - Deployment on operations (ie; Afghanistan).  He expects every soldier in the unit to at least do one tour in their career; majority has done so, and of those, many have 2nd or 3rd tours.

#2 -  Career Courses.  One at least every 2 years, whether this be serials, weekends, block courses.

#3 -  Exercises.  Certain ex's are planned well ahead and attendance, if not doing #1 or #2, is required.

#4 - Instructing on courses. Whether it be unit run weekend crse or of the B class variety.

#5 - Parade nights.  Expected to attend MOST parade nights (75%).  Leaders expectations are higher.

#6 - Ceremonial.  Quite simply; encouraged to attend and a reason like sports or hobbies are exceptable if the troop is doing the other duties.

Communicating the intent, his expectations, guidance of how to prioritise. Brilliant! And in this we solve:

Soldiers being soldiers on operations; depth and experience in the unit.  Soldiers look at their individual situation and make time and space in their life for a tour on their own, knowing that is expected of them.  2nd or 3rd tours are not uncommon.

Regeneration issues.  No people sitting stagnant in the ranks for a decade; those who can lead are trained and developed to take on those positions. 

Parade nights are not the end all - be all.  Make productive use of this time; classes, admin, preparation for Exes, morale, look aheads,  interviews, so on.   

Greater turn out and focus for training on Exes.

Ceremonial events still end up being well attended because morale is good.


Not dogma, just something I saw that worked. 







 

[Tango18A]

To save money amongst the reserves, I would reccomend consolidating units, but another topic perhaps?

Some units within the PRes have already been consolidated. The CERs/FERs have been combined to form 1 HQ per province (At least out west). Don't know how much of a saving this is yet. As well the Comm Gp HQs have been consolidated as well.

[Staff Edit to insert quote prior to thread split]

[Captsapper]

With respect to the Engineers, there was a consolidation of units, Some FES's and FER's consolidated to form a single CER for each Bde.  This was not a decrease by any means, in fact it was an expansion.  In all of the brigades that had more than one engineer sub unit (FES or FER) they were amalgamated under a single HQ.  In those Bde's that did not have a FER and only a FES they were expanded to have a minimum 2 squadrons and form a CER within that Bde (33, 35, 36, 37).  In LFWA, LFCA and SQFT this has already happened with each Bde now having a CER, with the exception of 38 Bde, they had no engineer unit to expand.  There is currently a Fd Sqn as part of the FGH in order to grow that capability within that Bde (Doing a great job!!).  Currently in LFAA the engineers are growing as well with 1 ES stood up in Fredericton in 37 Bde, and a troop stood up in Halifax as part of 36 Bde.  I believe the CER's are soon to follow (http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/37cbg_hq/units-unites/37cer-eng.asp).  Overall I think off the top of my head there were 6 additional engineer sub units created across the country as part of this initiative, certainly not a decrease in numbers.

[ArmyRick]

Looking at the PRes engineers as an example for consolidation. You have expanded but I am betting its been expansion at the soldier level and less RHQ (By combining in some cases the regiments).

I am a beleiver in some cases we MUST do this for the infantry and armoured units.

example 32 CBG has created 2 battle groups (dividing the six infantry regiments between them). I don't know why we insist on keeping all these RHQs alive. Personally, I think we should consolidate them.