Recent content by Pointer

Actually, my objection to the hazard pay issue and EOD allowance is motivated by quite the opposite feeling as that which you've attributed to me.  After watching subordinates and peers get blown up, I'm more than a little annoyed that "hazard pay" isn't scaled to the actual hazards. My...

By all means, explain.

Perhaps, but he raises good points. The only part he missed was the fact that, on operations, you'll be paid the same "hazard" allowance as people that are exposed to virtually no "hazard" in the interests of not offending anyone. I have an idea for a new recruiting poster - hard hitting and...

The "good idea people" are dangerous if they're not moderated by the "common sense people". Maybe I'm a little slow - I'm not sure exactly what you're taking issue with: the officer corps in general, how officers are selected, the educational requirement, or all three. As for the latter 2...

A C79 would be nice, methinks.  I don't think it would really take anything away from the gun, particularly if you left the iron sights on. But really, what the C6 needs is an M203 and side-mounted shotgun for close-range engagements.

Yes, the "yes-no-yes-no-maybe-no-yes-no" flip-flopping with RSMs is obnoxious... and potentially expensive.

I spoke with someone that sat on the most recent working group for procuring a new tac vest and what he had to say was pretty encouraging.  Firstly, the group consisted primarily of infantry NCOs - a good sign.  Secondly, they looked at scads of rigs that are presently on the market - Tactical...

This ^. Sometimes the officers in the unit luck out and get on a Basic Recce Ptlmn course prior to going on Adv Recce, sometimes they don't.  I'd much rather have the basic recce prior to going on the adv course than to just jump into adv recce.  CAP/DP 1.1 really teaches you very, very little...

There are numerous taskings that come up on PAT Pl - I acted as general duty (AKA range setter-upper, cleaner-upper, etc) for the sniper concentration, which was an excellent opportunity to learn a bit about sniper employment from the master sniper that led our team as well as get good range...

The C79 could never be replaced by the EOTech - they're designed for entirely different roles.  I don't know how it works with other units but for us, anyone using a C8 (offrs/medics/sigs/etc) was issued an EOTech which was then placed in a pelican case where it will likely sit all tour. ...

The ruck was used widely for an airmobile op on EX MG a week or two ago.  Consensus: ineffective, even when factoring the asinine WES boxes on the back of the  vest. On a side note, we seriously need to cut down the weight being carried somehow. My personal vote: a lighter radio than the 522. 

I think there's a false dichotomy there - training intended as validation for higher doesn't have to be useless for the troops.  The lvl 6 range on Ex DESERT RAM provided plenty of training value at all levels even though it was intended for the BG level.  If the training's of little or no value...

Good. Lord.  The absurd is a reality.  I guess the guys finding the IEDs/hitting the IEDs/fighting the people planting/making the IEDs/etc. are at less risk and, ergo, deserving of less pay. Maybe they should get robots too....

You'll be attending IAP/BOTC, not BMQ.  After that, you'll go to CFB Gagetown and do Phase 2 (CAP - common army phase), of which there are several serials throughout the year that teach all Army trades (and some purple) section-level weapons and tactics. Regarding infantry-specific training...

Thoughts? From a troop's perspective, methinks it was of little use.  From my perspective, I learned a little - KLE practice, the importance of mission-command/ lower-lvl initiative, dealing with recalcitrant LNs, how tanks achieve little during non-deliberate operations but eat infantry...