- Reaction score
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- Points
- 410
Um I suppose when the issue of soldiers buying chest rigs to hold more stuff is when I would ask my military people what the soldier is carrying now a days prior to talking to the press.
CFL said:WRT your examples no I don't think they couldn't be good in minister jobs/judges because they have remaind current. He has not just left his position in the military to become the MND he has been out of the loop for sometime now.
I would hope that he would ask the CDS or someone in the military what we currently use so as to not make himself sound foolish when he makes statements about what our current load is.
Unknown C/S said:1) Again He is a civilian and does not try to pretend he is military. He is a politcian. His military background gives him the advantage of being sympathetic to the troops and the soldiers mindset.
Unless you know something the rest of us don't, he has not been attending o'groups after retirement
Michael O'Leary said:Just out of curiosity, in order of priority in relation to such things as state of ships, Seakings, aircraft, manning issues, infrastructure, capital equipment programs, etc., etc., etc., (not to mention the day-to-day business that will cross his desk) exactly where would you put the briefing ensuring that he was up to date on small arms basic loads?
Scoutscoutfinch said:In fact, he was a highly paid lobbyist for defence contractors in Ottawa so I expect he has (or should have) a fairly in-depth knowledge of current CF issues.
CFL said:from all indications he is operating on thinking when he was in the military and has not yet realized that the situation as it were in the world and in defence has radically changed from what he knew.
Unknown C/S said:Scout
Scout,
Well since you are in the military you should have a fairly in-depth knowledge of current C.F issues,
Then you should be able to tell us: which wheels are chains fitted on the Coyote for winter ops? Or what are the dimensions of a vehicle Cam net? Maybe, you know how long a Sea king can stay on station with a half load of fuel?
You people expect the MND to be able to pull this info out of thin air. He is the Minister. In case it did not occur to you, this line of thinking means that he should be able to ryhme off the CF 18 wheel supplier, what type of rope is used to tie up Halifax class frigates, how many horse power the CF buses have, and what pressure the steam heating plant in CFB Trenton operates at :
Yes he was a lobbyist. Because he was working with Airbus Industries and assisting them in the Tender requirements and walking them through the DND procurement proceedure, does not mean he knows about the latest ammo pouches or brand of lypsil some of the troops are carrying in Kandahar.
(given the fact that Inf, Armd, Eng, Arty and various support trades are "in theatre" and none has the identical issue)
His world is a little larger than cbt boots and a rifle or the problems with a canteen drinking tube. (He is also briefed and preped by assistants and aids prior to media interviews)
So I guess according to most of you, If he does not know the lenght of combat boots laces, fire him.
I hope you hold the next person to your self administered high standard.
CFL said:Actually the troops choose the green over the tan.
CFL said:His misinformed comment on ammo loads is an indication he is referring to what he carried when he was in not now. A civie would have no idea what the ammo load is and I would hope would ask someone in the know what it was PRIOR to making a statement on said issue.
His thinking on the JTF is reminiscent of those in the 70's and 80's that saw the SF community as unnecessary and had a hate on for them because they felt they were using up valuable assets better left to the regular army.
His comments on the use of grenades to be treated as land mines is also ridiculous and seems to come from a politician and not a man with many years in the service.
Unknown C/S said:(of course the hand grenade issue was brought up whene he was the opposition. I don't think we want to drag up all politicians statements while in opposition and later found themselves in power. too many contradictions)
old medic said:I disagree.
Politicians must be accountable for their words. Being in opposition does not give the freedom
to make any silly statement, and then not have those statements examined once in power.
Unknown C/S said:In a perfect world maybe. Welcome to the world of politics. (guess it smarts when reality hits you in the face)
I don't know if you were around at the time................Joe Clark's consertive govt lost power in a non confidence vote over a gas tax,
Liberals came to power and brought in.............you guessed it, a gas tax
Unknown C/S said:Please give me a link to the ammo statement. (any news source) I am willing to concede that he should have bee briefed. (unless it was taken out of context)