Integrated Reserve

[Roger McGee]

http://www.rdfra.ie/documents/Newsletter%2003Q1.pdf

I was just thinking to myself while looking at the above Newsletter, how many reservists will actually want or be able to join the integrated reserve

Is their actually 2656 reservists, about 22% of the reserve, who not only would be willing but will actually be able to devote the time involved, or is of the required standard.

There's a lot of considerations to be looked at like for instance my company is at least an hour away from the PDF unit which we'll be attached to and I'm sure there are many units worse off, this would leave it near impossible for a lot of reservist to even make it to training nights, supposing they'll be held at the PDF barracks involved.

I'd imagine a lot of the new personnel wanting to join but loosing their interest by the time they've got to 3*. And I wonder will the NCO's and Officers be willing to commit in sufficient numbers.

It's a very negative post but I thought it was worth posting.

[JAG]

I would happily commit to the time involved for the integrated reserve.

But there is no f*****g way in goddamned hell I am going to spend three years dutifully attending every training parade & weekend & camp passing every test no problem before getting to be an incompetent 3*. (That is, compared with real soldiers).

Again.

People wonder why I'm so bitter about the FCA.......

[The Joker]

Well thats tuff, thats what the training demands.

[JAG]

In four years I saw lots of training programmes, but I did not see one training programme followed. Not one. Zilch. Zero. Nada. Null. Void. Lack of. Nuthin.

[The Joker]

Bullshit. If there was training every parade/ weekend, there wouldn't be a problem. If there was training every day of camp, I would have put up with the other 12 months of bullshit.

But no- the great taxpayer-funded social club must continue uninterrupted, so that people like John Gormley can be justified in saying it is a massive waste of cash.

But as has been pointed out before, I've been gone for coming up on three years, so maybe the last time I heard that was going to happen "next year" was true.

Please give an example. More often than not training programs are put to good use, this is only true for some people.

Ok, I am sure you are aware of this already but, we are not paid for weekends usually...So they dont count. On camp we do have a training program, training os carried out each and every day. Then they have a few drinks later. Dont forget, most, if not all of the members of the RDF bar students, are tax payers. Its their money also.

[hptmurphy]

I would happily commit to the time involved for the integrated reserve.

But there is no f*****g way in goddamned hell I am going to spend three years dutifully attending every training parade & weekend & camp passing every test no problem before getting to be an incompetent 3*. (That is, compared with real soldiers).

Again.

People wonder why I'm so bitter about the FCA.......

so how long will it take you to become a competent three star....

If it takes you as long as it does the average solicitor to carryout the search and coneyancing of house details etc ...you should probably still be a two star!

[Jimmy C]

In four years I saw lots of training programmes, but I did not see one training programme followed. Not one. Zilch. Zero. Nada. Null. Void. Lack of. Nuthin.

From looking at my units training plan for last year, everything was followed.

[Groundthumper]

Integrated reserve

Maybe I'm using the wrong term here but I'm referring to RDF troops who want to leave their parent units and train with the PDF for a year?

Either way. Will these guys get issued with new (er) kit when exercising alongside their PDF counterparts or will barrack boots and 58 webbing be the order of the day? All the same or none at all comes to mind

[Goldie fish]

search function

[Truck Driver]

Maybe I'm using the wrong term here but I'm referring to RDF troops who want to leave their parent units and train with the PDF for a year?

Either way. Will these guys get issued with new (er) kit when exercising alongside their PDF counterparts or will barrack boots and 58 webbing be the order of the day? All the same or none at all comes to mind

Service will be for a period of 3 years, with a commitment to a minimum amount
of attendance over that period. For the proposed issue to the Integrated Reserve, see HERE (last page of newsletter)

[DeV]

According to our unit the service is for 2 years.

[super_soldier]

And who will be in charge of bringing the RDF personnel up to standard??

[spider pig]

But will they get the propper equipment?? if they are to be brought to a similar level as the PDF they would need to get this as 58 is absolutely useless. if they are to be "integrated" they should get the gear supplied and NOT have to go buy it.

[Truck Driver]

That's the proposed scale of issue to the non-integrated reserve...

OOPS !

You're right, I thought the scale of issue to the Integrated Reserve was there too.
Sorry 'bout that.

According to our unit the service is for 2 years.

I heard 3 yrs from somewhere.... can someone confirm this?

[apod]

All this talk of "will they get the same equipment" is beside the point.I heard this morning from colleagues of mine who were teaching reservists section tactics on annual camp last week that as soon as the going got a little tough the majority went sick.One guy in particular refused to take the mag because he had a "sore Hand" Boo hoo!
As was said by a rdf sgt not so many moons ago in an article in an cosantoir its no good having all the gucci gear if you cant carry it !Their needs to be an attitude change amongst some people from what i can see or all the big ideas will be doomed before they start.
Also i heard a rumour that the integrated platoons will start training later this year.My advice to anybody thinking of signing up for this is to start working on your fitness NOW.
Cardio and upperbody strength are good places to start,also leg exercises to develop muscles to aid in carrying cemo.