CFL, I agree with what you said. I seen alot of the same stupid shit when I spent a little time with Battalion. However, I suspect the answers aren't as clear cut as they may seem; if they were, don't you think someone might have solved them by now. I think Mid-Level commanders have alot of extra shit dumped on them from on high that prevents them from carrying out the most logical choice. Of course, like numpty privates who can't do anything right, there is going to be officers who are incompetent asstards; this is inexcusable and I would pin this on a lack of professionalism of the Officer Corps as a whole in policing its own (again, an organizational issue).
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As for Greydak's remarks:
We are declining from a â Å“golden ageâ ?. The days of men who wanted to rise to the top of the rank structure to make a difference for the good of the country, not to line their pockets with tax dollars.
And when would that be? Are you implying that their was a time when all soldiers and officers joined for purely altruistic reasons? Granatstein has noted that the early 1950's to mid 1960's was a time when the military had sufficient resources and funding and the professionalism of our Officer Corps and our Ranks was considered top form. But those were completely different times; you cannot hope to wind the clock back.
Sure we used to have better funding. But then again we never required multi-million dollar strategic transport planes, support ships, and armoured fighting vehicles. Sure we had the general support of the Canadian public. However, that was a different generation, who in the span of 40 years experienced 2 world wars and an overseas police action. Today's generation holds a different view on the military, the state, and authority in general. We must adapt the force around these contingencies; going back in time is not the way to do it.
Why would you talk about reservists who â Å“half-heartedly dedicate themselves to the reserves as a social clubâ ?, not only is that far from the truth, but is goes against your optimistic ways.
I saw enough in my 3.5 years as a reservist. If you don't believe that their is reservists with this attitude, then you got your head up your ass. How else can you explain reserve units of 220 troops on paper barely scraping together a platoon+ for exercise (funny, alot of people seem to need that time to study for exams...).
I am proud of my country, my fellow soldiers, my well skilled / multi-talented army and the way Canadians as a whole are seen by the rest of the world.
As am I. Why do you think that I and others around here who know that many things are right-the-fuck-outta-it continue to serve.
I am not proud of the LSVW, civilian contractors doing jobs the army should and could be doing, fat out of shape people who do nothing but complain to the mir every time the can't do PT.
So Who To Blame? The Jr. Ranks didn't decide to purchase the LSVW, they didn't hire the civilian contractors to run our army and they didn't lower the PT standards that turned us into a fat army.
And you are blaming Canada's senior officers for an NDHQ (politically influenced) purchasing decision, an government departmental service contract, and a training decision that was very much influenced from political pressure to conform the military to some social experimental outcomes? Did it ever occur to you that their was very likely senior level opposition against some (or all) of these issues (eg: The LSVW failed the military's testing procedures; result, government cleared the vehicle for use anyways). Try putting some more thought into your accusations.
I think i will take a bus ride to the recruitment centre down from NDHQ tomorrow to.
