Posted by Matt Fisher from Manassas VA United States on September 13, 2021 at 15:00:49:
In terms of personnel, the average Canadian soldier has a higher level of general service knowledge than his American counterpart, but when it boils down to it, a soldier's primary MOS is what will save him in combat.
American reservists are as intelligent and enthusiastic as Canadians are, but they simply don't get the opportunity to train as much as Canadians do...
Officially a Canadian reservist is alloted 4.5 training days per month where a US reservist is allotted 2. Americans will do a 2 week concentration in the summer. Canadians used to do such concentrations, but with the budget as it is, such ex's are axed more regularly than their held...(for instance 39 brigade in BC hasn't had an area concentration since 1996).
American reservists receive far greater educational benefits than Canadians do, which is somewhat of a moot point, since Canadian university tuition is a fraction of what it is in the States.
Unfortunately much of the training time that Canadian reservists receive is ineffectively used in the form of weekly parade nights.
Presently, for most units, the training schedule revolves around 4 weeknight parades, and one 2.5 day exercise from friday evening to sunday evening.
While the weekday parade nights are effective for such things as pers. administration, and training prep. and planning, the troops receive little training value. More often than not the average parade night is a disorganized series of 3 lectures or "make work" assignments, intermingled with extensive tv/smoke breaks in the junior ranks club...This only breeds disinterest and discontent within a unit.
If units were to eliminate two weekly parade nights, and combine them into a 1 day local training area ex., so that the troops can get out and do real training, rather than listen to endless lectures that more often than not begin with "Now in the field this is how we'd do..."
Parade nights could be the week prior to the FTX, so that equipment could be readied, and orders issued, briefings held, etc. The other parade night would be the week after the FTX, so that equipment could have maintenance performed, and debriefings could be held, etc.
However one key point in the overall effectiveness of the resrves is in the area of job protection legislation...
Americans have such legislation, whereas in Canada, reservists have to depend on the good will of their employers to provide time off.
This is something that must be rectified!
Once such legislation is passed in Canada, reservists will able to train more frequently and effectively.
I remember on the eve of many FTX's, personnel bailing out saying that they had to "work" or had family committments. Some of these reasons were valid, whereas many others were invented so that the reservist wouldn't have to go out and sleep in the mud for a weekend.
Since there was no emplyment protection, Reserve units couldn't hold members accountable for being absent. This must change.
If employment protection legislation is in place, then arbitrarily the reservist must attend training, or face being charged with unauthorized absence from duty.
One thing that the US does have which is something that Canada should adopt is Total Force basic training and MOC schools.
This was tried in the late 80's and early 90's and still continues in some MOC's, but for the most part has been abandoned.
The training programs which milita personnel attend (particularly for combat arms) are not adequate...
If Canada had job protection legislation, then reservists would be able to attend the longer Regular forces MOC schools, and thus a better soldier would be produced.
Personally, as a Marine Corps Reservist, I have to attend the same basic training (12 weeks long) as my regular counterparts,and attend the same MOS school (another 12 weeks for infantry).
My training is split between 2 summers so that I can continue to attend college full time.
In Canada my QL2 was 7 weeks, my QL 3 was 6 weeks long, and my QL4 courses were 2 weeks each. whereas the regular versions are considerably longer, and far more thorough.
Recruiting in the Reserves should be based more at college students to enlist as NCM's rather than as officers, so that longer MOC training periods could be utilized (most university students end classes around the middle of April, and return to school after Labor Day weekend), which wouldn't interrupt the students schooling.
A letter http://www.brunnet.net/infsch/journal/33/33-Ltr-Barriault-a.htm in the Canadian Infantry Journal by a Sgt. P. Barriault illustrates my point on the degradation of Canadian reserve training standards...
Unfortunately the response to the letter http://www.brunnet.net/infsch/journal/33/33-Ltr-Fortin-a.htm is typical of Canadian senior officers simply "passing the buck".
The potential exists for Canada to have a first class military, but unfortunately, Canadian society and politicians do not seem to value or appreciate, and Senior officers do not stand up for those who put their lives on the line for their nation.
Matt Fisher