Army Reserve Restructuring

[daftandbarmy]

So nothing has changed since 1980 ....

My guess is that the establishment hasn't changed, but the workload pressures certainly have.

 

[KevinB]

My guess is that the establishment hasn't changed, but the workload pressures certainly have.

Trying to do more, with less…
The CAF moto for years.

 

[FJAG]

My guess is that the establishment hasn't changed, but the workload pressures certainly have.

I just did a quick check of the ARES MIPs from 2010, and the differences from the full-time staff (RegF and Class B) that I had in 1976-8 was the same except for the fact that I did not have a Class B(A) Crypto NCO (because we didn't have crypto) nor a Class B(A) recruiting NCO (that was a Class A position which was fully adequate because we had a much simpler, faster, better in all ways, recruiting system). All the other positions, RegF and Class B(A) were the same.

 

[daftandbarmy]

I just did a quick check of the ARES MIPs from 2010, and the differences from the full-time staff (RegF and Class B) that I had in 1976-8 was the same except for the fact that I did not have a Class B(A) Crypto NCO (because we didn't have crypto) nor a Class B(A) recruiting NCO (that was a Class A position which was fully adequate because we had a much simpler, faster, better in all ways, recruiting system). All the other positions, RegF and Class B(A) were the same.

As I recall, in 1980, each soldier didn't need a travel claim raised to cover them on every weekend exercise. And a bunch of other insane administrative requirements that didn't exist back then.

For a start...

 

[FJAG]

As I recall, in 1980, each soldier didn't need a travel claim raised to cover them on every weekend exercise. And a bunch of other insane administrative requirements that didn't exist back then.

For a start...

Travel claim? Why? They're on military transport and we fed them while they were on duty.

We had Class A sign in sheets and for summer training had to raise Class B Route Letters. That's it.

The fin clerk raised pay and field duty allowance from sign in sheets. We would use travel claims for things like attending district commander's conferences or professional training when we sent folks to Winnipeg but that's what we had two full-time clerks and a fin clerk for.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Travel claim? Why? They're on military transport and we fed them while they were on duty.

We had Class A sign in sheets and for summer training had to raise Class B Route Letters. That's it.

The fin clerk raised pay and field duty allowance from sign in sheets. We would use travel claims for things like attending district commander's conferences or professional training when we sent folks to Winnipeg but that's what we had two full-time clerks and a fin clerk for.

If the soldiers have to travel to a training area beyond a certain distance from home, even for a weekend exercise, a travel claim is now required.

And that's just one of many layers of bureaucracy that have to be managed now vs. then.

Times have changed...

 

[Kirkhill]

My guess is that the establishment hasn't changed, but the workload pressures certainly have.

The commonality, I believe, is that a lot of the effort came from a few committed members who put in the hours when not on the paysheet.

 

[FJAG]

If the soldiers have to travel to a training area beyond a certain distance from home, even for a weekend exercise, a travel claim is now required.

And that's just one of many layers of bureaucracy that have to be managed now vs. then.

Times have changed...

Not to argue with you, but if the transport is military and rations are provided, what's left to claim for? Is there some new allowance that the travel claim covers or is this some new duty/liability issue not covered by an exercise attendance register?

 

[ueo]

If the soldiers have to travel to a training area beyond a certain distance from home, even for a weekend exercise, a travel claim is now required.

And that's just one of many layers of bureaucracy that have to be managed now vs. then.

Times have changed...

Whaaaat!

 

[McG]

Not to argue with you, but if the transport is military and rations are provided, what's left to claim for? Is there some new allowance that the travel claim covers or is this some new duty/liability issue not covered by an exercise attendance register?

TD per diem if the exercise does not merit casual field pay.

 

[MJP]

If the soldiers have to travel to a training area beyond a certain distance from home, even for a weekend exercise, a travel claim is now required.

And that's just one of many layers of bureaucracy that have to be managed now vs. then.

Times have changed...

That also means that for years soldiers weren't being compensated properly (although it could just be a policy change that made them eligible but don't think so).

I hate bureaucracy too but getting folks what they earned is good thing (even if it is painful)

 

[Halifax Tar]

All I want to say is that in 1998 when I was living in Toronto and playing for the Toronto Nomads I worked for the Bay in the butcher shop at 176 Yonge.

And in 1999 It was time in and time out with a card and code. And I always got paid.

We need to get with the times.

 

[Eaglelord17]

I just did a quick check of the ARES MIPs from 2010, and the differences from the full-time staff (RegF and Class B) that I had in 1976-8 was the same except for the fact that I did not have a Class B(A) Crypto NCO (because we didn't have crypto) nor a Class B(A) recruiting NCO (that was a Class A position which was fully adequate because we had a much simpler, faster, better in all ways, recruiting system). All the other positions, RegF and Class B(A) were the same.

Lots of bureaucracy now. Even something as (formerly) simple as the Mess is a huge manpower/admin nightmare due to NPF and all that goes along with it.

 

[mariomike]

I worked for the Bay in the butcher shop at 176 Dundas.

Do you mean 176 Yonge St.?

 

[Halifax Tar]

Do you mean 176 Yonge St.?

Whoops I do thank you. I had to look up the address and sti FUBARd it lol

Thank you!

PS I also just realized Yonge is spelt that way...

 

[CountDC]

As I recall, in 1980, each soldier didn't need a travel claim raised to cover them on every weekend exercise. And a bunch of other insane administrative requirements that didn't exist back then.

For a start...

Yep, we just paid FOA. Couldn't imagine doing 100+ claims every exercise.

If the soldiers have to travel to a training area beyond a certain distance from home, even for a weekend exercise, a travel claim is now required.

And that's just one of many layers of bureaucracy that have to be managed now vs. then.

Times have changed...

Depending on when they go into the field it may be required. If the CHRA can influence things right you can have it purely CLDA and no claim.

The commonality, I believe, is that a lot of the effort came from a few committed members who put in the hours when not on the paysheet.

Reminds me of a case where a reserve unit had a new Fin O start. The Fin NCM went in to take care of some pay items and the Fin O was there. She tried to use rank/posn to order the NCM to do what she was working on instead. The answer was "no Lt, I came in on my own time to do this and if I am not doing it then I am going home". She upped things and told him he was no longer allowed to come in on his own time and was only to be in on the authorized evenings. Next admin night while in the OR the CO asked the NCM if everything was good with the pay going to be on time and the answer was "Not sure Sir as I am restricted from the office" at which point the C Clk told him what happened. New direction was given - CO told the NCM to come in whenever he needed to and to sign in instead of doing it free. The Fin O had a meeting with the CO and was never seen again. Sometimes the worker does get recognized and taken care of.

Not to argue with you, but if the transport is military and rations are provided, what's left to claim for? Is there some new allowance that the travel claim covers or is this some new duty/liability issue not covered by an exercise attendance register?

If you follow the regulations strictly these days (iaw some anyway) a weekend exercise can result in one day of TD and 2 days of CLDA so you have to do a claim and the allowance form. In the past time you are talking about we just did 3 days of FOA (Fri - Sun).

That also means that for years soldiers weren't being compensated properly (although it could just be a policy change that made them eligible but don't think so).

I hate bureaucracy too but getting folks what they earned is good thing (even if it is painful)

It was policy change. When they switched to CLDA from FOA it messed everything up admin wise as it became linked to the time you entered/left the field. FOA was simple as it was linked only to the days instead of time so a weekend ex from Fri to Sun was 3 days FOA.. Now you have people arguing over it as CLDA requires 24 hours in the field before it starts. Some take it this means if you go in Friday at 2000h you will get CLDA for Sat and Sun, nothing for Friday. Others will give you incidentals for Fri and CLDA Sat/Sun while others will give 3 days CLDA. Best part is shortly after this all started we calculated the net difference between the two and the result on average was less than a dollar. Personally I was fine with paying the 3 days CLDA.

 

[daftandbarmy]

It was policy change. When they switched to CLDA from FOA it messed everything up admin wise as it became linked to the time you entered/left the field. FOA was simple as it was linked only to the days instead of time so a weekend ex from Fri to Sun was 3 days FOA.. Now you have people arguing over it as CLDA requires 24 hours in the field before it starts. Some take it this means if you go in Friday at 2000h you will get CLDA for Sat and Sun, nothing for Friday. Others will give you incidentals for Fri and CLDA Sat/Sun while others will give 3 days CLDA. Best part is shortly after this all started we calculated the net difference between the two and the result on average was less than a dollar. Personally I was fine with paying the 3 days CLDA.

That sounds simple

 

[dapaterson]

There is nothing like the joy of being in command of a dispersed unit, with two different support bases, with at least two different local rulebooks, which naturally contradicted each other.

 

[dapaterson]

That sounds simple

It's no "double tap dash down crawl observe fire", but there are plenty of resources that should make admin easy. But "we used to do it this way..." or "I have a friend in Ottawa who totally told me..." are potent drugs.

 

[Halifax Tar]

There is nothing like the joy of being in command of a dispersed unit, with two different support bases, with at least two different local rulebooks, which naturally contradicted each other.

How about far off unit with a support base in a separate L1 ? And a CBG that has units whose support bases that aren't in the same province.

Especially when it came to national programs like the MAAP ... I had the Army (5 Div) saying 1 thing and the RCN and RCAF all saying their own.

I did love that job! And I loved that exposure to the ARes.