Mud Recce Man said:
Is the new "quest" for 13k Reg and 10k Res Frce troops too far out of reach? If we emptied ALL resources...to train BMQ/SQ/Dp 1 could we not do it? I think there are too many folks "hiding" in their jobs that really could be "forced" to train them (I am a Cl B Res Snr NCO) or...they have the "30 day" option to leave their jobs. I am sure we could fill THOSE positions with people that are WILLING and CAPABLE of doing the job. Case in point. At the HQ I am at...1 Cpl was told she was "tasked" for X amount of months for Task "X"...her response? OK. Her Sgt...found out SHE was tasked to Task "X"...2 months of moaning and trying to get out of it. Oh...I should add that moaning and groaning is an understatement. She was driving us CRAZY. Get with it. YOU are a Snr NCO. Shut It. Ruck Up. Step Off.
We are here to DEFEND democracy...not practice it. Why else would you tie those boots up?
Sure, we could do it...if we're willing to drop absolutely everything else. I can guarantee that the Regular formations are all but tapped out. After all, it isn't merely a matter of conducting recruit training, but dealing with the follow-on PCF and specialist training afterwards. That's where you run into trouble. Formations are trying to kick units down range into the sandbox (to borrow American terminology
), support all the schools and support recruiting efforts, all at the same time. Making matters worse, we're beginning to hemmorage senior leadership (MCpl - CWO and Maj/LCol) - the very people who will form the foundation of the training staffs and the leadership of any "new" units. Moreover, the recruits will also need basic personal kit issues, vehicles and weapons to train on, and a place in the order of battle - none of which has been fully thought through.
I agree completely - you signed on the dotted line so suck it up and get on with it. However, that's half the problem. After all, would you actually want these whiners training new recruits?
IMHO, we have the focus wrong. I honestly believe we need to focus on retaining the people we have - both Regular and Reserve - before embarking on a massive recruiting campaign. Things like resigning incentives, cash bonuses and preferential postings go a long way towards retaining people already trained, as do challenging and interesting jobs. Moreover, the component transfer system is still broken and practically nothing has been done to encourage younger soldiers to bring friends into the fold (similar to the "recruit a buddy" initiatives in the UK)... The more we can do to reduce the training burden, the better.
We're now straying away from the topic at hand, but the Minister obviously hasn't considered these factors in developing his plan, hence the C-.
My 2 cents, as always.
TR