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The Future of the Army Reserve - Discuss

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  • Good day all.

    To disband the RDF I believe is in all sense of the word, crazy. The RDF is boundless in its potential, with plenty of enthusiactic young and not so young men and women.

    Sadly the RDF does have its share of wasters, forgive me if I'm too harsh and useless layabouts. If the RDF is to survive the current economic climate then dead weight does need to be shed. I believe that,

    1. Fitness tests should be mandatory if trying to enter the RDF. Yearly fitness tests should also be mandatory.

    2. Each battalion should have to create a yearly training plan that should include what is planned for recruit training, 2* training, 3* training, advanced 3* training, refresher courses for NCO's and so on. This plan should be reviewed by the DFTC and either giving the green light or refused on which case the battalion should be assisted by DFTC staff on re writing the plan to the required standard.
    The plan should in turn be implanted from battalion level to company level to platoon level.

    3. Simulate PDF training in the RDF i.e. make the training as close to PDF standards as possible. For example, take the PNCO course. The course was re structured in the Eastern Brigade to mirrior the PDF PNCO course as closely as possible.


    4. Change how the yearly assessment is carried out . One assessment a year is clearly not enough. The assessment should not be made entirely by RDF officers and NCOs. PDF officers and NCOs should be involved.

    5. Integration should be a must. We need to be sining off the same hymn sheet as the saying goes.

    On a personnel note, last year I went integrated. I'm with the 67th Res Batt and was put in as No.4 rifle man of a PDF section of the 27th Inf Batt. The first week was pre-lim training for a week long exercise in Kilworth in Cork. The experience I gained was priceless.

    Training and working with men and women who do the job full time allowed me to learn lots of tips, experience plenty of greenfield tactics, sectional attacks and patrols at a level not possible in the RDF at current. I even got to do FIBUA which was a first for me. Integration is invaluable.

    Comment


    • Originally posted by hedgehog View Post
      Courage I may have inadvertently directed a lot of attention your way because of your use of the

      term Squaddies

      Its just that the old fart that I am recognises that we as the Nation of Yeats, Wilde, Shaw, Heaney and Milligan

      are literate enough to have our own terms rather than copy everything from our next door neighbours

      terms like pah spit bergan and squaddies etc-

      by the way welcome aborad
      no probs hedgie! haha all is gud.......... who doesn't want a bit of attention anyway? I do get what you are saying by the way........apologies to you patriots out there! I am one too!
      Shocking revelation Dazzler! I thought my secret was safe. I am of the famous 34th! And yes, you could say that the boys in Tralee are their own kind of Elitists!
      "Any soldier worth his salt should be anti-war. And still, there are things worth fighting for."-Norman Schwarzkopf, CO, US FORCES, GW1

      Comment


      • Why this country needs a Reserve -



        for national emergencies which can occur from anywhere, at anytime.
        Once more unto the breach, dear friends

        Comment


        • Originally posted by Saracen View Post
          Why this country needs a Reserve -



          for national emergencies which can occur from anywhere, at anytime.
          I just read that article.

          SO what exactly has that to do with the RDF?

          BTW The army doesn't have the capacity to provide "bus" transport any more.
          Bus workers will be more worried about private operators. If Dublin Bus or Bus Eireann fail to provide transport on certain routes they can loose their route licence and so allow that route to be given to a private operator.
          This would lead to more redundancies.
          Without supplies no army is brave.

          —Frederick the Great,

          Instructions to his Generals, 1747

          Comment


          • Originally posted by Saracen View Post
            Why this country needs a Reserve -



            for national emergencies which can occur from anywhere, at anytime.
            Any recent national emergency has seen the RDF sidelined. Nobody even suggests they could be used.
            Civil Defence are always used first.


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

            Comment


            • Centralize every single recruit induction in the Brigade. Essentially mirror the PDF structure.

              Run 3 centralized courses of each type a year.

              For example :

              Recruit Training bootcamp is held three times a year. ( Easter, Summer, October )

              A Two Star course is held three times a year. ( Same timelines )


              Promotions can ONLY come from doing these courses.

              Now, and this is the important bit - EVERY Unit must send its recruits to these units [ including the Battalions ] . The line units themselves DO NOT have a training role, even administratively

              The BTCs are tasked with operating these camps and have the power to detail instructors from across the Brigade

              this is not an issue for Corps units, in fact they may welcome it as it frees up the specialist instructors. It causes terrible politics in the Bn's (OMG NOT OUR RECRUITS SURE WHAT ELSE WOULD WE DO ? ) and this isn't well understood outside an RDF Bn as the paranoia about losing OUR recruits causes shite you wouldn't believe.

              Various well meaning PDF COs have tried to get this running several times all have failed because of blank ignorance and bloodymindedness.
              "Are they trying to shoot down the other drone? "

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

              Comment


              • Originally posted by trellheim View Post
                Various well meaning PDF COs have tried to get this running several times all have failed because of blank ignorance and bloodymindedness.
                I have heard about this, from what I heard it was Lt. Col. O' Meara (Ret.) who brought in centralised recruit training, but now that he's gone there are some people who want unit's back training their own recruits, but in a centralised camp.

                Personally, I like your Idea better, get recruits to a set standard, because frankly, they are not coming out of Bere Island with everyone at the same standard of anything.

                Also, I have come across some literally useless, not just bad, but bad at everything, people in my travels with the RDF. Why can these people not simply be told "Don't bother coming up anymore." The worst thing about this is, alot of these people are the guys who will never leave on their own accord, they will keep coming up, and constantly fcuking up. Great for the Books, but bad for the unit.
                I probably am wrong, sorry about that!!!

                Please PM me to correct me.

                But, not if I state an opinion, only if I state something as truth!!!

                I have bad opinions but I stick by them!!!

                Comment


                • Originally posted by trellheim View Post
                  The BTCs are tasked with operating these camps and have the power to detail instructors from across the Brigade
                  Supposed to be happening in a few years. In fact, there may be a major shakeup in this area in the next year.

                  Comment


                  • Originally posted by trellheim View Post
                    Centralize every single recruit induction in the Brigade. Essentially mirror the PDF structure.

                    Run 3 centralized courses of each type a year.

                    For example :

                    Recruit Training bootcamp is held three times a year. ( Easter, Summer, October )

                    A Two Star course is held three times a year. ( Same timelines )


                    Promotions can ONLY come from doing these courses.

                    Now, and this is the important bit - EVERY Unit must send its recruits to these units [ including the Battalions. The line units themselves DO NOT have a training role, even administratively
                    Fantastic! What a great solution to the RDFs problems.

                    What you need to do now is list all the AFs and communictaions required to make your masterplan a reality. I do take it you know about ration indents, securing accomodation for the courses, organising range days, pay etc etc?

                    Off you go. I'm sure the director of the RDF can't wait to hear what you have to say.
                    As for accuracy, presumably the missile carries MRVs with terminal phase sensors and guidance.

                    Comment


                    • What you need to do now is list all the AFs and communictaions required to make your masterplan a reality. I do take it you know about ration indents, securing accomodation for the courses, organising range days, pay etc etc?
                      Ummm.... I know all of what needs to be done. So ? that's admin work you're talking about. What on earth does it have to do with fixing the still endemic problem of politics over training.
                      "Are they trying to shoot down the other drone? "

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

                      Comment


                      • You've raised two points here.

                        Originally posted by trellheim View Post
                        Ummm.... I know all of what needs to be done. So ? that's admin work you're talking about.
                        Well that's ok then. As long as you know what has to be done. I take it you're at least a CS or CQ with years of experience to base your opinion on?


                        Originally posted by trellheim View Post
                        What on earth does it have to do with fixing the still endemic problem of politics over training.
                        Who says there's a problem? Tell you what, you make Lt. Gen., no wait, Minister for Defence and then you can do whatever you want. How does that sound?
                        As for accuracy, presumably the missile carries MRVs with terminal phase sensors and guidance.

                        Comment


                        • Its likely in reference to there not being any single location in the country that has accomodation available for a centralised recruit camp for even one brigade.

                          Instead army should buy a large tract of land, build a custom camp that can accomodation 500 students and instructors / support staff. With the surrounding grounds providing ideal tactical training areas, ranges and driving courses

                          And use it as a central training camp for both the PDF and the RDF.

                          Sure with the recession on land is nice and cheap too.
                          It is only by contemplation of the incompetent that we can appreciate the difficulties and accomplishments of the competent.

                          Comment


                          • Fine thanks ..... ?

                            And in response .... what on earth does the admin side of it have to do with anything ? The thread title is "Future of the Army Reserve-Discuss" not AF's required to organize a training event.

                            And I say there's a problem.

                            Most regular posters here know well who I am and what rank I hold in the organization. Are you trolling for fun or what ?
                            "Are they trying to shoot down the other drone? "

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

                            Comment


                            • Its likely in reference to there not being any single location in the country that has accomodation available for a centralised recruit camp for even one brigade.
                              There is if it's done right and fits into a grand scheme. Put up tents for a fortnight in Barracks. Just like the Special Olympics.

                              The alternative is crap instruction to a half-arsed standard. Plus if you do it in a barracks you might get access to a PTI/PTS who can start people off on a proper athletic programme.
                              "Are they trying to shoot down the other drone? "

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

                              Comment


                              • Originally posted by trellheim View Post
                                There is if it's done right and fits into a grand scheme. Put up tents for a fortnight in Barracks. Just like the Special Olympics.

                                The alternative is crap instruction to a half-arsed standard. Plus if you do it in a barracks you might get access to a PTI/PTS who can start people off on a proper athletic programme.
                                While I agree with the thought of that, there would be too many people complaining!!! and everyone would have to be issued a sleeping bag, otherwise some idiot would not bring one, not say anything and then complain that he's sick.
                                Last edited by Dazzler; 22 February 2009, 22:49.
                                I probably am wrong, sorry about that!!!

                                Please PM me to correct me.

                                But, not if I state an opinion, only if I state something as truth!!!

                                I have bad opinions but I stick by them!!!

                                Comment

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