May 1998

Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies Seminar [page 3]

Over 80 serving and retired officers, the majority of them members of the RCMI, attended a seminar on the "Past, Present and Future of the Militia" at the Canadian Forces College. The joint CISS and Reserve 2000 seminar was addressed by the Minister of Defence, who spoke first, took a number of questions, and then had to leave to fly to Vancouver. Responding to a question on restructuring the reserves targeted for November 1999, Eggleton said, "The final decision will not be easy, but it will be fair".

The rest of the morning's session included presentations by the Chief of Reserves MGen Stu McDonald, and a reality check from the grass-roots by LCol Wyn van der Schee, which struck a cord with most of the audience. Because of his failing eyesight, LCol Sam Hughes provided a memorised historical overview of the militia, most of which he or his family appeared to have taken part in. Before the break for lunch, the speakers responded to questions, with majority directed to MGen McDonald.

In a perspective from south of the border offered by BGen James Helmley, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the US Army Reserve, members of the audience took cold comfort in the fact that reservists in the US face the same reality as they do, but on a larger scale. Unlike the National Guard, which makes up 44% total reserve strength, the US Army Reserve are at 18%, or approximately 205,000 soldiers. The US Army Reserve are tasked with providing service support when mobilised and only 1% has a combat arms role. General Helmley said that while he works in the Pentagon, he considers himself to be a cop-on-the-beat. He said, "I walk the most crime riddled streets in the US. People are constantly trying to steal things from my budget like helicopters, O&M, etc."

Mr. Pat McDonnell, who had retired from the CF less than a month ago, walked the audience through the NDHQ's apparently endless balancing act, of juggling Capital funding, Operations and Maintenance expenditures, and Personnel costs. He explained how "Rust Out" infected equipment when Peter was robbed to pay Pauline a number of years ago, when the O&M budget was cut. Retired BGen Kip Kirby addressed the seminar on his views as to "Where we should be going". He waxed poetically on his vision of two armies one large, and the other small. He concluded that Canada's solution was a large army marching behind a small one.

The final presentation of the day was by Chief of the Land Staff (Commander of the Army), MGen Bill Leach. He said he had come to listen, and if he had not been invited as a speaker he would have been in the audience anyway. He also added, that he had taken eight pages of notes, and reorganised his speech during lunch to address some of the points raised in the morning session.

At the start of his boisterous presentation, Leach said he was interested in hearing from soldiers who would say what they believed. He said that the CF has moved beyond "Total Force", and that we are now "One Army of Two Components". The focus of the reserves should be to "Recruit, Train, and Retain".

In an extended forum after the presentations, all but one of the questions was directed to MGen Leach. One member of the audience said that he had seen the same presentation at least ten times before, by nine of Leach's predecessors, and the same issues remain unresolved. The General responded by saying that if he got of the two issues identified off the table he would be making progress.

Another gentleman offered that from his observation of the new two uniform policy, the two uniforms being worn were combat and mess kit. Leach said the amount of money saved by not issuing Garrison dress and Tans would go a long way towards paying for the "Clothe the Soldier Program."

A transcript of the seminar will be available from the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies shortly. The CISS telephone number is (416) 322-8128, the webpage http://www.ciss.ca.

The Royals roll-up their sleeves to Win [page 5]

All types of members of the Royal Regiment of Canada, types A, O, and both positive and negative, volunteered to give the gift of life. The bloodletting, which took place at Fort York Armoury, was organised by the Unit Medical Officer, and RCMI member, Captain Tony Laws. He said that as far as he was able to find out, this was the first blood donation to be held at Fort York Armoury since 1976. Tony said, the Royals wanted to demonstrate in a meaningful way that they serve their community. He pointed out that members of the regiment have, and continue to serve overseas, and that they answered the called a year ago during the Winnipeg flood, and most recently a 100 of them deployed to Eastern Ontario after the ice storm.

Despite a rigorous screening process with included an interview, a haemoglobin check, filling in a rather intrusive questionnaire, a blood pressure check, 71 soldiers made donations. While the soldiers waited their turn, the band under the direction of Major Gino Falconi provided a musical interlude. Two television stations, CFTO and CITY covered the donation and their positive reports publicised the strong bonds that the regiment maintains with the community.

Co-ordinating the donation required approximately three months. This was so that the Red Cross could fit it into their existing schedule, and so it could take place on a Thursday evening, the Royals parade night. The troops were canvassed and briefed a month before the event, and three weeks prior, an information sheet from the Red Cross was handed out.

The Challenge Capt Tony Laws says, "As usual the Royals have taken the lead. We are not in the habit of being beaten, but if any other unit within 32 Brigade thinks they can donate more blood, then we will be happy to settle for second, this year, because the community wins"

New brain bucket issued [page 8]

For the first time in 40 years, soldiers in the Canadian Forces have been issued with a new combat helmet. The US styled M1 steel helmet issued in the late 1950' s has been replaced with a kevlar one designated model CG634. The new helmet is based on a design of one used by the French Army. Before being issued, the helmet has under gone a series of trials and has had a number of modifications made to it. While it is compatible with the new C4 gas mask, radio equipment, crew served weapons, and optical sighting equipment, there is one modification that is still outstanding. The helmet is secured with a large quick release buckle on the chinstrap. When it is done-up, the buckle is positioned on the left cheek of the soldier's face handicapping left-handed shooters. This problem has been addressed and modifications are on the way.

For many reservists the first trail by fire for the new helmet was during Op Recuperation in Eastern Ontario and Quebec after the recent ice storm. A number of soldiers avoided serious injury when they were hit by falling ice. While the new helmet provides the soldier with improved ballistic protection against artillery, mortar, and grenade fragments, is not bullet proof. The exterior is finished with a special NBCW protective paint which, to remain effective, should not be re-painted. Currently, the helmet comes issued with a new woodland patterned camouflage cover, with UN blue for Peacekeeping, white for winter operations, available when required. Covers with disruptive winter and desert camouflage schemes are under development. The helmet cover comes with a pull-down neck screen to protect the soldier from solar radiation, as well as to help change the silhouette and to assist in concealment. The new helmets are part of a Canadian Forces three-phase equipment acquisition program which is called "Clothe the Soldier". The purchase cost is $23 million dollars for 60,000 for helmets.

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