- Reaction score
- 79
- Points
- 680
All I can say to this is WTF ???
Army to rely more on civilians to train recruits
Updated Tue. Nov. 21 2006 8:52 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Canada's top soldier says the army is stretched so thin by the war in Afghanistan that it will rely increasingly on civilian contractors and reservists to train new recruits.
"There's no doubt the army is under tremendous pressure," Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie told an all-party Commons defence committee on Monday.
But Leslie said he draws the line at using civilian contractors as mercenaries in war zones.
He said despite the tremendous pressure the army is under, now that it's committed to operations in Kandahar until 2009, he's confident soldiers under his command would be able to do everything that is being asked of them.
"If I wasn't, I'd tell you," said Leslie.
The mission in Afghanistan has meant that junior officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs)-- enlisted members who've been given authority by a commissioned officer and are considered crucial for army training -- are in short supply in Canada.
Leslie said the gap is being filled by outsourcing some training, such as driving courses for armoured vehicles and other non-combat related instruction.
Relying on civilian assistance to prepare recruits for war is the latest in a series of moves the army has made to sustain the Tory government's commitment to keep the combat mission going in Afghanistan until February 2009.
But even though they're under the gun, Leslie said that seasoned NCOs and officers will still direct all combat training -- stressing that mercenaries will not be used to fill any holes on the front lines.
The general said Canada has no intention of copying a practice used by other countries, notably the U.S., that employs civilian security consultants in war zones.
"There are some countries that use private security firms because they either don't have enough soldiers, or don't want to use their soldiers for those tasks," Leslie told The Canadian Press after the defence committee meeting.
"I've seen them operating in certain parts of the world, when I was in Croatia and in Bosnia and elsewhere. And I'm very glad to tell you I do not believe it's the Government of Canada's intent to ever employ such individuals -- armed individuals -- carrying out what essentially I believe are soldier's tasks."
Leslie's comments came on the day questions arose in the House of Commons about an internal defence document suggesting security measures needed for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver will compromise military operations in Afghanistan.
NDP defence critic Dawn Black tabled a ministerial briefing note she obtained, which suggested the army won't be able to sustain an overseas deployment and provide security for the Winter Olympics at the same time.
"Given the chief of defence staff believes we'll have to be in Afghanistan for 10 years or more, where will the minister find the troops to protect the Olympic venue?" she asked on Monday during question period.
"Will he choose Vancouver or Kandahar?"
Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor suggested the question was hypothetical because British Columbia had not formally asked the army to be involved in Olympic security.
A few weeks ago, O'Connor and chief of defence staff Gen. Rick Hillier revealed plans to use sailors and aircrew in non-combat roles overseas, such as truck driving. The measure is meant to free infantry who might have been stuck in such support roles.
With a report from The Canadian Press
Army to rely more on civilians to train recruits
Updated Tue. Nov. 21 2006 8:52 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Canada's top soldier says the army is stretched so thin by the war in Afghanistan that it will rely increasingly on civilian contractors and reservists to train new recruits.
"There's no doubt the army is under tremendous pressure," Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie told an all-party Commons defence committee on Monday.
But Leslie said he draws the line at using civilian contractors as mercenaries in war zones.
He said despite the tremendous pressure the army is under, now that it's committed to operations in Kandahar until 2009, he's confident soldiers under his command would be able to do everything that is being asked of them.
"If I wasn't, I'd tell you," said Leslie.
The mission in Afghanistan has meant that junior officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs)-- enlisted members who've been given authority by a commissioned officer and are considered crucial for army training -- are in short supply in Canada.
Leslie said the gap is being filled by outsourcing some training, such as driving courses for armoured vehicles and other non-combat related instruction.
Relying on civilian assistance to prepare recruits for war is the latest in a series of moves the army has made to sustain the Tory government's commitment to keep the combat mission going in Afghanistan until February 2009.
But even though they're under the gun, Leslie said that seasoned NCOs and officers will still direct all combat training -- stressing that mercenaries will not be used to fill any holes on the front lines.
The general said Canada has no intention of copying a practice used by other countries, notably the U.S., that employs civilian security consultants in war zones.
"There are some countries that use private security firms because they either don't have enough soldiers, or don't want to use their soldiers for those tasks," Leslie told The Canadian Press after the defence committee meeting.
"I've seen them operating in certain parts of the world, when I was in Croatia and in Bosnia and elsewhere. And I'm very glad to tell you I do not believe it's the Government of Canada's intent to ever employ such individuals -- armed individuals -- carrying out what essentially I believe are soldier's tasks."
Leslie's comments came on the day questions arose in the House of Commons about an internal defence document suggesting security measures needed for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver will compromise military operations in Afghanistan.
NDP defence critic Dawn Black tabled a ministerial briefing note she obtained, which suggested the army won't be able to sustain an overseas deployment and provide security for the Winter Olympics at the same time.
"Given the chief of defence staff believes we'll have to be in Afghanistan for 10 years or more, where will the minister find the troops to protect the Olympic venue?" she asked on Monday during question period.
"Will he choose Vancouver or Kandahar?"
Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor suggested the question was hypothetical because British Columbia had not formally asked the army to be involved in Olympic security.
A few weeks ago, O'Connor and chief of defence staff Gen. Rick Hillier revealed plans to use sailors and aircrew in non-combat roles overseas, such as truck driving. The measure is meant to free infantry who might have been stuck in such support roles.
With a report from The Canadian Press