Which is why its time to create hybrid units with properly interlocked standardized training cycles, shared equipment, robust employer legislation and tighter terms of service - oh, and stop doing "6-month rotations" to Latvia and instead create a brigade core with posted in personnel for several years and create year-round MTC-like standardized short-duration, expeditionary, training events (We have the aircraft to do that now).And align all the training during the year to build up to the annual collective training event in the summer when you can just pull together a scratch rifle company from several units and say 'go attack that village - have fun'?
You assume a degree of leadership and coordination that no longer exists, if ever, IMHO
You and your logic.Which is why its time to create hybrid units with properly interlocked standardized training cycles, shared equipment, robust employer legislation and tighter terms of service - oh, and stop doing "6-month rotations" to Latvia and instead create a brigade core with posted in personnel for several years and create year-round MTC-like standardized short-duration, expeditionary, training events (We have the aircraft to do that now).
Also had a Bty 4-6 guns of Artillery out there. Commitment on both the Soldiers and DND needs to be there. When they cancel or scale back one exercise not a big deal. When they start doing that time after time it has a large effect on who is going to commit to the time and effort.
When you have more then a scratch rifle company, they end up cancelling, postponing and or changing the scope so much that it makes it difficult for people to commit.And align all the training during the year to build up to the annual collective training event in the summer when you can just pull together a scratch rifle company from several units and say 'go attack that village - have fun'?
You assume a degree of leadership and coordination that no longer exists, if ever, IMHO
You know, that made me think. Life is simple for us gunners. If you have four guys for a recce party, four guys for a command post, three guys for an OP, five guys to run a C3, and 50 rounds of 105mm HE, you had yourself a good little exercise. Anything more than that is pure gravy.
The Citizen Tri-Service Reserve Force
Does Britain need a third reserve force? These expert authors thinks so. The Citizen Tri-Service Reserve Force. What do you think?wavellroom.com
I think the desired outcome is quite necessary but the way of getting there that they propose is inadequate. I tend to think that something in the nature of a fourth company (i.e a third ARes company) in a 30/70 urban battalion (which really makes it more of a 20/80 urban battalion) whose purpose is to stay behind and train and generate another battalion is what's needed.
I think the desired outcome is quite necessary but the way of getting there that they propose is inadequate. I tend to think that something in the nature of a fourth company (i.e a third ARes company) in a 30/70 urban battalion (which really makes it more of a 20/80 urban battalion) whose purpose is to stay behind and train and generate another battalion is what's needed.
Indeed, a 20/80 battalion left at home can be turned into the core of a recruited, trained, home-guard or lines of communications brigade using the RegF and ARes personnel that it has.
I'm not that concerned about the higher headquarters folks that the authors want to keep around. It strikes me Canada already has enough GOFOS and staff wienies to generate the leadership of several core and division headquarters. However, a mandatory Supplementary Reserve, with a minimal training and reporting requirement for a short duration (say three years) is desirable. The "fourth" Urban company could be assigned responsibility to administer/train any SR personnel in their geographic AO during peacetime and incorporate them into their mobilization structure.
Equipment. An equipping plan is critical - even if just to requisition pickup trucks from local car dealer lots until new military grade equipment is available. Armouries need much greater washroom facilities so that they can easily be turned into temporary quarters by putting cots on the parade square.
Plan! Plan! Plan! - and exercise it occasionally.
I was quite surprised to hear that the Brits haven't done a div level exercise in years. I do presume they do div-level CAXs frequently. I presume the authors meant no div-level FTXs.
I think that there are quite a few div CAX, including in Canada but specifically the US and some of the NATO standing forces. I've always argued that IMHO, bde and above level FTXs may be of benefit to teach div and bde staff in the complexities involved in moving and sustaining large forces but have very limited value for the troops in general. I'm more in favour of something like a TEWT at level 7 which runs a bde in a div-level FTX but with coy HQs and support staff being the lowest level of participation.
I think that there are quite a few div CAX, including in Canada but specifically the US and some of the NATO standing forces. I've always argued that IMHO, bde and above level FTXs may be of benefit to teach div and bde staff in the complexities involved in moving and sustaining large forces but have very limited value for the troops in general. I'm more in favour of something like a TEWT at level 7 which runs a bde in a div-level FTX but with coy HQs and support staff being the lowest level of participation.
I'm still very much of the view that you get your best bang for the buck for the troops as a whole at progressive training that emphasizes level 5 (combined arms) and slips into level 6 (unit level).
Based on my experience with Bde CAXs, although the last one I attended was over 5 years ago, they're of limited use to just about anyone TBH
I've actually never done a bde level CAX - I've done more than my fair share of battle group exercises including live fire and a few useless bde FTXs (and a more useful RV 81 div FTX and a bunch of stuff with Germans) but the only simulated bde/div exercises I ever did were the numerous map table exercises during my six month command and staff course. You know, those little boat markers with mil symbols being pushed around by guys with sticks. They were fun. I still have my faux BGen slip ons from commanding 13 Bde as the div guard and the reserve in the final Drive exercise. 
Plus this does not require any changes in regulation, etc. Just someone needs to set it up and enforce it across the Brigade, along with some funding. If they start getting every Brigade to do similar, then you might be able to find ways to intergrade 2 brigade FTX's or use components to support them.
The Canadian CAXs for the last number of years have the primary training audience as a Bde with some CS and CSS units also as PTA.
