Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

The Future of the Army Reserve - Discuss

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Originally posted by Rommel View Post
    BEST POST IN 5 YEARS. That took balls to say. You have hit the nail on the head.

    Lads, if we are really honest with ourselves, deep deep down, you know that he is right.
    - The longer you stay in the more you will realise it
    Welcome back rommel. We missed you.

    But a very quick way to reduce the DF Wage bill by 3%(or more) without a reduction in services provided is to disband the RDF.
    These days everyone needs to provide a quantifiable return for their budget allocation. Read any DF Annual report to see what I mean.

    Reserve Defence Forces (RDF)
    The primary task of the RDF in peacetime is to train for contingency tasks. This was the
    second year of the establishment of the non-integrated reserve and there were significant
    advancements in the areas of administration and training. The main output was the
    completion of an audit in November 2007 of the first two years of force development.
    This audit is consistent with the recommendations of the Reserve Defence Force Review
    Implementation Board Report (RDFRIBR). The audit measures progress to date and
    makes recommendations to develop the force to 2011, in line with the recommendations
    contained in the White Paper on Defence.
    RDF Financial Administrative Instruction R5 was completed and a new promotion
    system from Captain to Commandant was introduced during 2007. The General Purpose
    Machine Gun and the H&K Universal Self-Loading Pistol were introduced to the RDF.
    A Distance Learning Working Group continued its task of preparing elements of syllabi
    for delivery through this medium.
    The RDF strength was reduced over the course of the year from 9,134 on 1 January 2007,
    to 8,408 on 31 December 2007, due mainly to the discharge of non-effective personnel.
    The Director of Reserve Forces prepared a new strategic training development plan (TI
    02/2007) for non-integration RDF training for the period 2007–2009.


    Taxpayer says "great, but what have you done for ME lately?"


    Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

    Comment


    • On a serious note before the hysterics get going on the FCA/RDF side and the PDF start nodding heads sagely,

      the PWC report and White Paper to 2010 both recommended a reserve. it is still government policy. We are waiting for the new White Paper [ flagged by the Government as discussions happening with the 'stakeholders' last week - see Minister's Questions on Wednesday [ written and Oral ].

      I'd be wary of what I wished for here on the PDF side, because it looks as if the 1st line reserve being an active one is out of the box again.

      We can't 'Give it a dignified ending' - only the Government can choose to stand down a component of its Defence Forces. Until then it's extremely encouraging for our line PDF colleagues to recommend disbandment and shows hope and promise in our continued working relationship.

      Such as it is.
      "Are they trying to shoot down the other drone? "

      "No, they're trying to fly the tank"

      Comment


      • Originally posted by Traumagod View Post
        Seriously Hedgehog! I respect and agree with about 90% of what you say but you really want to know what I think of your suggestion here???????????????

        I would without a shadow of a doubt be booted from the forum if I told you. Sorry but thats my opinion.
        work away

        I posted it in the firm knowledge that I am not going to win

        the IMO all round guy of the year award for that opinion

        but as it stands the RDF is sadly a waste of tax payers money and your time

        that time and effort can be invested in so many valuable things for the community

        the same with the monies involved

        IWhen I call for the disbandment of the RDF its not because of any fault on your behalf rather

        the oppisite

        the PDF failed to use probably one of the most valuable assets they had

        therefore fkuc them and fluc them royally

        why should taxpayers money be spent on whats simply used as a folly

        why should your weekends- tuesdays- thursdays be spent away form the kids

        as a mere sop to the notion that look how great we as are sure we support

        our gallant RDF ers

        we all know that is a big fat lie


        now as Soldiers we can sit back and say Hedgehog is an asshole (frequently said)

        or we can discuss this and then come tot he conxlusion that I am an asshole



        Traumagod

        your the worlds biggest jessie- never be afraid to take me on- I like a good insult
        I can hardly go running tot he mods and say TG insulted me- have you seen some of the gick I have said about people on here
        I am still suprised I havent as yet been lynched

        come on big girls blouse
        Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
        Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
        The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere***
        The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
        The best lack all conviction, while the worst
        Are full of passionate intensity.

        Comment


        • While phasing out the reserve might make financial sense, politially it would be difficult, as lots of intrest groups would be violently opposed. Campaigns would be launched, former reservists would be on local radio talking about the good old days when they were using lee enfields and the social benefits of giving young people something to do, etc which would cause the back benchers to question government policy. The amount spent on the reserve is small amount of the total that the tax payer wastes for political reasons, and I can't see that stopping.

          I think though it might loose its artillery units, and other combat support service units and become solely an infantry force.

          As for the PDF, the next white paper will be intresting. Keeping the three brigade structure will be difficult, given the end of the IRA campaign and the lack of an external threat. Furthermore, the main cost of the defence forces has always the army's wage bill and pensions, and that is where defence spending goes, the temptation will be to reduce that. Most european armies now have a smaller structure than ireland, (Sweden has just reduced its army to eight combat battalions). Expect to see the same.
          Last edited by paul g; 9 February 2009, 17:44.

          Comment


          • Originally posted by paul g View Post
            While phasing out the reserve might make financial sense, politially it would be difficult, as lots of intrest groups would be violently opposed. Campaigns would be launched, former reservists would be on local radio talking about the good old days when they were using lee enfields and the social benefits of giving young people something to do, etc which would cause the back benchers to question government policy. The amount spent on the reserve is small amount of the total that the tax payer wastes for political reasons, and I can't see that stopping.

            I think though it might loose its artillery units, and other combat support service units and become solely an infantry force.

            As for the PDF, the next white paper will be intresting. Keeping the three brigade structure will be difficult, given the end of the IRA campaign and the lack of an external threat. Furthermore, the main cost of the defence forces has always the army's wage bill and pensions, and that is where defence spending goes, the temptation will be to reduce that. Most european armies now have a smaller structure than ireland, (Sweden has just reduced its army to eight combat battalions). Expect to see the same.


            I would have thought the opposite.

            That the Infantry battalions would be dissolved and we would be reformed as part of the CS or CSS units in the DF.
            It is only by contemplation of the incompetent that we can appreciate the difficulties and accomplishments of the competent.

            Comment


            • I think though it might loose its artillery units, and other combat support service units and become solely an infantry force.
              Really ? I would lean in the opposite direction, CS and CSS units would be much more logical in a reserve versus an entirely Infantry reserve.
              "Are they trying to shoot down the other drone? "

              "No, they're trying to fly the tank"

              Comment


              • Hey, Why don't we go all the way and disband the RDF & The PDF. Turn the NS & AC into a Coast Guard. Makes the most sense financially.

                Any argument that can be applied to disbanding the RDF can also be applied to the PDF.

                Comment


                • [QUOTE=Docman;238437]Hey, Why don't we go all the way and disband the RDF & The PDF. Turn the NS & AC into a Coast Guard. Makes the most sense financially.

                  Don't say it aloud, its the option the department of finance favoured in the last white paper.

                  As for the reserve loosing its CS units, well the PDF will increase its expeditionary focus, then having the majority of CS units reservists will limit its flexibility. Peace support missions are becoming more robust and it the last seven years have show anything its the importance of engineers, and other specialised units like EOD. IMHO, the army should rebalance, towards having fewer, but better equipped units, and develop its capability in areas like area and route clearance.

                  Comment


                  • Originally posted by Docman View Post
                    Any argument that can be applied to disbanding the RDF can also be applied to the PDF.
                    Except that the PDF actually DO STUFF.

                    Comment


                    • Originally posted by Rommel View Post

                      Lads, if we are really honest with ourselves, deep deep down, you know that he is right.
                      - The longer you stay in the more you will realise it
                      The longer you're away the more you realise it too. Aside from enjoying it or anything sentimental, look objectively. People here are crying to get rid of sail training programmes. Something that's actually productive. I'd rather see the RDF (which is NOT an investment in the youth of the country) go rather than useful projects that are capeable of actually MAKING money.
                      Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
                      Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
                      Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
                      Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

                      Comment


                      • Originally posted by Docman View Post
                        Any argument that can be applied to disbanding the RDF can also be applied to the PDF.
                        care to back this up....
                        But there's no danger
                        It's a professional career
                        Though it could be arranged
                        With just a word in Mr. Churchill's ear
                        If you're out of luck you're out of work
                        We could send you to johannesburg.

                        (Elvis Costello, Olivers Army)

                        Comment


                        • again with the sail training

                          my eldest girl does horse riding

                          every weekend she shovels shit for 4 hours just

                          to ride a horse for an hour- she lives for it and is passionate about horses

                          the stables she attends has about 40 kids a saturday vying for places to shovel shit

                          and wash saddles and tackles etc

                          I am sure that there are hundreds of stables around the country with the same queue of

                          working class kids- dying to ride a big horse.

                          now why should nt my girl get a subsidised holdiay getting experience in her hobby

                          why should those from the traditional Yahting fraternity get the bobs


                          People here are crying to get rid of sail training programmes.
                          rich kids daddies and mammies should pay there own way


                          go rather than useful projects that are capeable of actually MAKING money.
                          if it actually makes money then

                          why are we arguing- lets raise it and have 4 more vessels

                          but wait we know that in the budget

                          it is a loss making vessel
                          Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
                          Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
                          The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere***
                          The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
                          The best lack all conviction, while the worst
                          Are full of passionate intensity.

                          Comment


                          • Originally posted by Docman View Post
                            Hey, Why don't we go all the way and disband the RDF & The PDF. Turn the NS & AC into a Coast Guard. Makes the most sense financially.

                            Any argument that can be applied to disbanding the RDF can also be applied to the PDF.

                            agreed!

                            Comment


                            • Ah lads what will i do on thursday nights!!! And two sundays a month!!!! HH I dont like horses so dont suggest i go shovelling shit thank you very much!!
                              Go Mairidís Beo

                              Comment


                              • Originally posted by hedgehog View Post
                                again with the sail training

                                my eldest girl does horse riding

                                every weekend she shovels shit for 4 hours just

                                to ride a horse for an hour- she lives for it and is passionate about horses

                                the stables she attends has about 40 kids a saturday vying for places to shovel shit

                                and wash saddles and tackles etc

                                I am sure that there are hundreds of stables around the country with the same queue of

                                working class kids- dying to ride a big horse.

                                now why should nt my girl get a subsidised holdiay getting experience in her hobby

                                why should those from the traditional Yahting fraternity get the bobs




                                rich kids daddies and mammies should pay there own way




                                if it actually makes money then

                                why are we arguing- lets raise it and have 4 more vessels

                                but wait we know that in the budget

                                it is a loss making vessel
                                Fair play to her. Yes, she should get a subsidised camp.
                                Her interest is in horses, plenty of working class kids love sailing but can't afford to buy the wetsuits, boots, boat, trailer, new sails, sail repair kits, spare parts, lifejackets, paraphrenalia etc etc etc.

                                Hedgehog, believe it or not, I was agreeing with the post you made in this thread.

                                THe RDF IS a waste of money. It does NOT serve any purpose. Get rid of it and you could have your subsidised camp for your daughter and hell, send them on a STV when they're older if they show an interest.
                                Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
                                Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
                                Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
                                Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X