Canada eyeing reservists to bolster force in Afghanistan

[schart28]

CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/02/28/reserve-soldiers-070228.html?ref=rss

Canada's army is at least 3,000 soldiers short of meeting the nation's military commitments in Afghanistan and needs a serious boost in manpower, a commander in the Canadian Forces says.

Lieut.-Gen. Andrew Leslie said the concern is so great he is considering dipping into the part-time reserve force — troops traditionally used in peacekeeping — to bolster the ranks seeing combat in Afghanistan.

"By February 2009, just about every soldier in the regular army, and I'd say about 20 per cent of the reserve force, will have gone through [combat]," Leslie said.

The mission in Afghanistan, which is the crux of Canada's military efforts, requires nearly 2,500 fresh troops every six months, he said.

Right now, some 3,000 to 5,000 new soldiers would be needed to reinforce operations in Afghanistan, and "we're looking at somewhere between 400 to 600 reservists being part of that mix."

Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor has no objections to deploying reserve soldiers for combat missions.

"All soldiers, no matter what their origins are, are all trained to the same standards," O'Connor said. "We put the same effort in, with the same cost, so from my point of view, it makes no difference whether you're regular or reserve."

The Canadian Forces is looking to offer full-time soldiering jobs to as many as 1,500 part-time troops in order to keep the army prepared to fight.

 

[GAP]

I am sure there are a lot of young reservists that would jump at a chance for a nice solid, exciting contract. The CF really has to deal with some of the justified concerns of the reservists if they want this to turn into a positive thing.

my 1 cent...I need the other

 

[Devlin]

So how is this different than the current situtation with reservists already augmenting on roto's to Afghanistan? Would this be a mandated if your on a class "C" contract you may be volun-told that it's your turn sort of deal?

 

[GAP]

Just thought of something....could this be a prelude to introducing job security legislation?

 

[schart28]

Could very well be. The reserve are already augmenting each Roto.

Just thought of something....could this be a prelude to introducing job security legislation?

 

[Staff Weenie]

Devlin - you don't get the Class C until you're ready to go (only a few small exceptions left).

Job Protection? That's a double edged sword in the US - I think they do it better in Australia though (carrot vs stick).

If we get job protection, then they will probably try to modify the NDA and extend the unlimited liability to Reservists.

Not that great of a problem to me - it'll get rid of all the folk who only joined to get their tuition subsidy.

But if we get job protection, but must deploy, how does that work for self employed people? Or what about for a Surgeon who normally makes over 250K per year in the civilian world, but far less in uniform.

 

[GAP]

Don't surgeons work under a contract that covers that difference? There was a thread here recently pointing that out, unless I misinterpreted it.

 

[Staff Weenie]

Depends somewhat - Reg F specialists are better compensated, and can negotiate salary to a degree. Similar benefits are being proposed for the Res F.

The point is, that the US has found that Reserve or National Guard clinicians (and probably many others) were going into bankruptcy when ordered to deploy (they have to pay somebody to watch their practice & clinic overhead, pay their student loans, and pay their mortgage, etc). So, they've started to experience more and more problems in recruiting them into the Res/National Guard.

The Reserves was all fun and games until they had to deploy. I think that were we to enact a similar system here, we might see the same results. Right now, we have had some Res F specialists go overseas here and there - but these are typically folks who are looking for the excitement, and challenge - the pool of these folks is only so deep.

 

[Devlin]

Thanks Staff Weenie. Yes class "C" were pretty far and few between even a year ago when I left and went on the supp list.

Which leads me to another question would they (the powers that be) consider looking at the supp reserve list or would we have to be in a state of conscription being re-introduced to get to that point? I suppose answers to this could only be speculative at this point.

 

[geo]

So how is this different than the current situtation with reservists already augmenting on roto's to Afghanistan? Would this be a mandated if your on a class "C" contract you may be volun-told that it's your turn sort of deal?

devlin,
If you are res force on a class C, you are working up to a deployment... else you'd be on class B @ 85% of your reg force counterpart..... so - volunteer-period sort of deal

 

[Devlin]

Thanks Geo ....got B and C confused .....multiple choice was a bitch during highschool ;D

 

[FastEddy]

I am sure there are a lot of young reservists that would jump at a chance for a nice solid, exciting contract. The CF really has to deal with some of the justified concerns of the reservists if they want this to turn into a positive thing.

my 1 cent...I need the other

"GAP", please note, your Post is fine and this quote is only to express my personal objection to the terminology of the word "Contract" (which is now chisled in stone). I hope the originators are on CB and Sentry Duty for Eternity.

I still can't get used to it, it doesn't have a true ring of Militarism, like Enlistment, Enrollment, Tour of Duty Posting, Signing up.

I agree that the use of it is perfectly correct and fault you not. I hope you'll foregive a Old Soldier who on occasion when stepping on a Torn of Modernization chirps in.

Back on Topic, +1 on your post.

Cheers.

 

[geo]

Thanks Staff Weenie. Yes class "C" were pretty far and few between even a year ago when I left and went on the supp list.

Which leads me to another question would they (the powers that be) consider looking at the supp reserve list or would we have to be in a state of conscription being re-introduced to get to that point? I suppose answers to this could only be speculative at this point.

Matter of fact, something is being done with the Supp list.  The lists are being cleaned up - used to be that a Reg with a 3(b) discharge could go onto the Supp list and then get a class B with the Cadets..... but, with universality of service, that won`t work anymore.  Once the lists are cleaned up, they (not sure who) at the area level, are supposed to be getting in contact with supp list members & invite them in for service / whatever.  More to follow.....

 

[GAP]

"GAP", please note, your Post is fine and this quote is only to express my personal objection to the terminology of the word "Contract" (which is now chisled in stone). I hope the originators are on CB and Sentry Duty for Eternity.

Hey I served my time in the USMC...I never heard of class B or class C contract until my son was on one in Bosnia.....

 

[geo]

Have you been hearing the "if you're employable, you're deployable"?
Anyone who is ready willing and able to fill in a long term class B should be prepared to receive that invite...
Those regs who take an early retirement and go supp list / Pri reserve to get away from their committment to "travel & see the world" (@85% or pay & 30 something days,breach of contract) should be talked to again...

 

[Edward Campbell]

See: http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/58040/post-533988.html#msg533988

I think this, too, is part of the retention first, then recruiting issue.

We would do well to stop worrying about the too many and too fine distinctions between classes of service.  Once a soldier is deployed (s)he is just that – a soldier.  There should be no distinctions, whatever, between ‘regulars’ and ‘reservists’ until they are safely home and, in the case of the reservists, successfully reintegrated into their civilian ‘life.’  Further, on return from active service overseas, reserve force members who want a component transfer to the regular force should, in the overwhelming majority of cases, find the doors open and the CT process should be short, simple and easy.

 

[seamus]

I know Ottawa is doing its best, but everyone knows no matter how hard the powers that be try it will not change enough. And by enough I  am talkling about the fact that Leslie and Hillier are trying not to have the same 40% do a huge portion of the tours overseas. We all know this will happen anyways, and the only chance of change is with a majority government. Conservative the changes may happen and with the Liberals it will no longer be an issue.

 

[Tow Tripod]

If I remember correctly back in 94 at least 1/2 my platoon in Croatia was militia personal.Fast forward to 2007 and for TF 1-08 and by the ***k 1/3 of the platoon will be Militia personal.So my question to all the think tanks will be is this really a news story??? I thought not!!!!

TOW TRIPOD

 

[retiredgrunt45]

I know 4RCR here in London has sent 30 people over on this latest RCR tour. I frequent the unit at least once a month for a visit and most young troops I talk to are bucking at the bit and frothing at the mouth to get a tour and from what I've been told by the higher echelon, is most will get their chance.

Few have actually had any problems with there civilian jobs letting them go. Mind you a few have had nightmare stories, but the consensus seems to be that their civilian employers are willing to work with them to come up with some kind of compromise. I think some people blow this problem out of proportion, by seeing that some people have this problem, they think everyone has the same problem.

 

[geo]

rg45
the squeaky wheel gets the grease.... so yeah, those with a problem scream loud and clear.... though not always coherently.