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I've been watching developments over the last year or 2 (since the Reorg) and have finally decided that the Reserve is dead.
Many of the changes implemented have been positive but little details have soured their implementation.
The new larger Battalions created a more rigid military establishment that was needed. Before their were good units, and bad units, not nearly all units are bad as very good individual companies have lost their initiative and are unable to get training done.
PT Tests have been introduced around the country but Reservists still cannot become PT qualified. Hence people being unable to get professional (free) advice on how to get fit.
The university training scheme died a death as now Reservist MUST only train with their own units. Hence people who are in different parts of the country (ie. for college) may not train with the local unit.
The Integrated Reserve has started but the volunteers for this organisation are under so many restrictions as to make it near impossible to get people to sign up. And the hostility towards them by many (Both PDF & RDF) makes it just not worth the effort.
RDFRA has been completely shut out of negotiations. They have access to senior officers but noone is listening.
The latest is that (seemingly) eye protection must be worn on the range. But Reservists will have no access to eye protection (Most can't even get their personal issue hearing protection), therefore another nail in the coffin.
This is only a small list of the HUGE restrictions being placed upon the Reserve. It is killing Recruitment and driving young and old out of the organisation. Personally, the RDF has become a chore, something that requires huge amounts of paperwork, grief, back stabbing etc. in order just to get the simplist things done. Even a standard ARP has become an exercise in futility. And there is no return. In the old days, I got enough enjoyment out of it to make the bad times seem bearable. Now all enjoyment is gone, there is no incentive to stay in the Reserve for anyone.
The Reserve is dead.
Comments?
Many of the changes implemented have been positive but little details have soured their implementation.
The new larger Battalions created a more rigid military establishment that was needed. Before their were good units, and bad units, not nearly all units are bad as very good individual companies have lost their initiative and are unable to get training done.
PT Tests have been introduced around the country but Reservists still cannot become PT qualified. Hence people being unable to get professional (free) advice on how to get fit.
The university training scheme died a death as now Reservist MUST only train with their own units. Hence people who are in different parts of the country (ie. for college) may not train with the local unit.
The Integrated Reserve has started but the volunteers for this organisation are under so many restrictions as to make it near impossible to get people to sign up. And the hostility towards them by many (Both PDF & RDF) makes it just not worth the effort.
RDFRA has been completely shut out of negotiations. They have access to senior officers but noone is listening.
The latest is that (seemingly) eye protection must be worn on the range. But Reservists will have no access to eye protection (Most can't even get their personal issue hearing protection), therefore another nail in the coffin.
This is only a small list of the HUGE restrictions being placed upon the Reserve. It is killing Recruitment and driving young and old out of the organisation. Personally, the RDF has become a chore, something that requires huge amounts of paperwork, grief, back stabbing etc. in order just to get the simplist things done. Even a standard ARP has become an exercise in futility. And there is no return. In the old days, I got enough enjoyment out of it to make the bad times seem bearable. Now all enjoyment is gone, there is no incentive to stay in the Reserve for anyone.
The Reserve is dead.
Comments?
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