Posted by Reserve Infantry Officer from Canada on March 18, 2021 at 21:03:54:
In Reply to: Land Force Reserve Restructure posted by Maj B Mainville on March 17, 2021 at 23:38:34:
As time has passed, the messages I have heard about this have "softened" considerably. Initially we were told of this drastic investigation on unit viability where no unit was safe, and which would ultimately result in units being disbanded, resized, re-roled and / or amalgamated. The latest I have heard is that no units will be disbanded outright. The definition of "what is a viable unit" has been changed again and again.
Those units which put huge effort and concentration into excelling in the Unit Viability Assessment have had their efforts diminished by the redefinition of the rules as we went through it.
For example:
Think of units which put concentrated focus on budget to ensure they came within 2% of plan in order to gain full points. At the end of the year a Brigade Commander redistributes funds across the Brigade to ensure all units come in with the maximum points on the budget criteria. Thanks for the time and effort troops, but let's let everyone win. This measure was effectively removed.
Now I'm not saying that adjusting the criteria as time goes by is not necessary. Obviously, the more time that goes by, new criteria and case evidence should result in refining any decision making process. For example - the Ice Storm of 98 not only demonstrated what reserve units can actually provide when called upon suddenly for an operation, it also illustrated the need for military presence (in personnel and facilities) in communities. Changes in measures or criteria must be well thought out and add value to the final decision being made however.
Some good things have come out of this program so far. In particular I think units have been encouraged to focus leadership attention on the important things like task standard oriented training.
I am curious as to what the final results of this program will be. I hope that fair, necessary and meaningful decisions are made, and are made for the right reasons. The messages which are coming down the chain of command to me certainly have not convinced me that this will be the case.
Reserve Infantry Officer with Doubts