Author
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Topic: The Current State of the Canadian Army
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Dessert Fox
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Member # 25
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posted 14 June 2021 18:01
That's an interesting question, but the first discussion point has to be: "Threat from Where?"If we're talking the Yanks, I don't think any amount of conventional troops would be enough, though there's always the possibility of a guerilla war. Canada is just too vast, too spread out, and too far away for anyone to hope to hold an area and supply a land force here. I think the US, alliances aside, would be too vulnerable to retaliatory terrorist and guerilla actions to try anything. Some newspaper articles last week pegged the Reserve Land Force at around 12,000. A far cry from the 30,000 reservists we're supposed to have on paper. So, what would you do in a guerilla war against a very large opponent? D.F.
Posts: 4 | From: Toronto, ON | Registered: Jun 2000
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the patriot
Moderator
Member # 144
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posted 15 June 2021 11:28
Hello,Some really good points are being brought up. Yet, this might twist things a bit. I think that in a bizarre messed up way, Vancouver could be a Pearl Harbour waiting to happen. Let me explain. The Chinese triads could always infiltrate the harbour disguised as actual "illegal migrants". We all know that ex or current Chinese military are swimming within the triads. Now with this added to the equation, how would our current state of Land Forces respond to this type of threat? To top things off even more, China has nukes pointed at every major American city. Ironically, Seattle (borders off with Vancouver, B.C.), and Detroit (borders off with Windsor, Ont. and Southern Ontario) are most likey targets. So yes, in theory, we have "no enemies". How do we cope with a threat of this nature with our current Land Force doctrine?! P.S. With these likely situations, Canada and the U.S. would lose their industrial hearts and the world would lose Windows '98 -the patriot-
Posts: 192 | From: The Great White North | Registered: Jun 2000
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Gunner
Veteran Member
Member # 39
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posted 03 July 2021 19:40
Boyd, Your theory of conspiracy that would see a Chinese Mechanized (or even an armoured) Division infiltrating into Canada is alittle far fetched to be believed. In response (is this a secure means??): a. Why would China attack Canada, and/or take over Vancouver. What would be the Political purpose that would further China's aims? b. If for a moment, we accept your theory of a clandestine chinese division moving across the seas and falling in on prepositioned equipment, Canada would require a three to one combat ratio to take Vancouver back. In fact, as most of the fighting would be in the city (why would the chinese send a mechanized division??) the ratio would be larger up to 5 or 6 to 1. Therefore, Canada would require a standing/reserve force equivalent to approximately a 2 Corps structure (6 plus divisions and corps troop elements). I don't think that is feasible at all as Canada would have a standing force larger then the one on the continental US. c. The "Raging Grannies" would protest the environmental impact of Chinese equipment long before the Canadian and US militaries ever were able to form any type of defence. In conclusion, lets keep the discussion along the lines of reality, vice pie in the sky ideas of chinese divisions hiding out in the Vancouver Dockyard....mind you there is an old Soviet sub that I can't confirm if it is deactivated or not and may be only waiting for the call from the Kremlin to attack Canadian Shipping.... Cheers!
Posts: 96 | From: Army of the West | Registered: Jun 2000
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bmccann42
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Member # 104
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posted 20 July 2021 02:02
From what i can see in the news(never having served in the military but am in the final stages of selection for infantry officer training) I think the best path to follow for military reform would be too take the example of the Australians. They are a nation of similar makeup(post-colonials), population(slightly smaller than ours), a similar environmental layout(large amount of unarable landm theirs being desert ours being tundra). Looking at this they have been able to field a well trained, portable, sustainable fighting force centred on the idea that the threat to the homeland has now diminished and a military more globally designed than nationally designed. For example the continual building and purchasing of amphibious warfare ships(soem surplus american vessels having been purchased), off the shelf designs(they don't seem to suffer from an "if it's not made in Quebec, we don't buy it" frame of mind), and the idea of purchasing the best/reliable/battle-tested equipment on the market. The example of the Australian Military at work in East Timor clearly illustrates what I mean, and what I fel our military should be able to do: quick response, troops in country in under a week with follow forces within a month, combat troops that are girded for war, not peace keeping, amphibious capability(according to Tom Clancy 65% of the world's population lives within 300km of major water way) allowing for force projection from the sea. A concept i have always toyed with in my mind(most of you will probably think it ludicrous) was to create some form of Royal Canadian Marine Corps/Commandos, basing it on a good mix of the ideas behind the American, British, and French Marines. Possibly buying surplus American amphibious warfare ships(I believe several Tarawa Class vessels are currently mothballed or up for sale from the American government), retrofitting them for our needs and basing one on each coast to act in times of emergency to deliver a battalion of troops to a hot spot within two-three weeks. I know this all sounds pretty naive, but some feedback would be appreciated.
Posts: 6 | From: burlington, ontario, canada | Registered: Jun 2000
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Runner
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Member # 81
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posted 22 July 2021 11:24
Interesting comments. Let's throw a different threat orientation into the mix. Maybe our enemy works for an army but does not wear a helmet. Maybe he/she understands that there are more ways to impose politcal will than pointing worn off rubber sights at fewer numbers of soldiers. Let's forget the chemical/biological component for now and suggest that by making the civilian information systems the target, not the soldiers, is the real way to get the job done (not unlike an element of the North Vietnamese efforts some years ago). A little while ago somebody wrote something called the "I Love You" virus that wreaked more global havoc in less than 24 hours than any airborne unit will ever do. I hope we never have the "I Hate You" virus. He/she had probably never shot a rifle. Doesn't know what an FN is. Surely hadn't taken a jump course. Probably has a Costco membership though...hmmm... As we wrestle with the idea of how to protect a country so large with a force so small, maybe we should replace the CAR with the CHR (Canadian Hacker Regiment). Seems to me Mafiaboy shut down the Pentagon, CIA, FBI, CNN, (all the important stuff...)etc in a snap. Maybe it would be a good investment to have some pimply-faced teenagers with thick glasses help out in case we really need to shut down the information and online investing capabilities of someone attacking Vancouver, taking our fresh water, or whatever. Faster. Cheaper. No mess. No fuss. Don't get me wrong. I love the army and am still a member. However, Desert Storm guaranteed that any bad guy/girl can take your toys away without ever coming under fire. Maybe that's the way we defend this large area. Concentrate geek power and shut'm down. Don't laugh. It makes more sense than a lot stuff I've read lately! Canadian Hacker Regiment The Proud. The Few. The Compatible.
Posts: 3 | From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Registered: Jul 2000
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russm
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Member # 139
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posted 27 July 2021 13:46
Runner:You raise some very valid points there. Our technology will be the first target of any enemy. So let's recruit a nerd herd as our first line defense! bmccann42: I've always thought that a Marine element is sorely lacking in the CF, esp with our huge coast lines. But I've worked with the British Royal Marines and the U.S. Marine Corps...believe me there is no correlation there except the names. The Royal Marines are some of the best troops I've ever worked with. Incredibly fit, tough, ingenious, and determined men. The U.S. Marines are lack-luster, waterborne cannon fodder by comparison! If we were to produce such an entity, I feel it would have to be based on the Royal Marines or perhaps Australia's 1 Commando. The Dutch have a good bunch worth looking at, too. RM
Posts: 21 | From: | Registered: Jul 2000
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russm
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Member # 139
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posted 27 July 2021 13:46
Runner:You raise some very valid points there. Our technology will be the first target of any enemy. So let's recruit a nerd herd as our first line defense! bmccann42: I've always thought that a Marine element is sorely lacking in the CF, esp with our huge coast lines. But I've worked with the British Royal Marines and the U.S. Marine Corps...believe me there is no correlation there except the names. The Royal Marines are some of the best troops I've ever worked with. Incredibly fit, tough, ingenious, and determined men. The U.S. Marines are lack-luster, waterborne cannon fodder by comparison! If we were to produce such an entity, I feel it would have to be based on the Royal Marines or perhaps Australia's 1 Commando. The Dutch have a good bunch worth looking at, too. RM
Posts: 21 | From: | Registered: Jul 2000
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