PM's New Bde of Peacekeepers (5,000 new soldiers), could it be a SOC Light Force?
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Kirkhill said:My grief Sir, keep posting comments like that and I might be inclined to become cynical.
Cheers
Every now and then my rose coloured glasses slip, and I see things clearly...
Dave
Most days the glass is half full
Some days the glass is gone cus some (fill in blank-politician, CBC commentator etc etc) stole it
George Wallace
Army.ca Dinosaur
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Here is an easier to read version:
Forces should maintain combat capability while developing specialty: report
OTTAWA (CP) - Canada's armed forces should maintain their combat capability while developing specialized expertise in postwar reconstruction, says a report by a group reflecting the views of young Canadians.
The military must be prepared for multinational peace operations as well as unforeseen threats to the country's "interests, values and security," says Canada25, a think-tank representing Canadians between 20 and 35 years old. The federal government needs to develop a military deployment strategy that is transparent and predictable, says the group's report, From Middle Power to Model Power: Recharging Canada's Role in the World.
"For each mission, our allies, the public, and our troops need to know - as far ahead as possible - what we are getting into, what we will do, and when we will get out," says the 116-page document.
"The federal government should immediately articulate clear intervention criteria for both multilateral peace operations and for deployments to defend against unforeseen threats."
The non-profit, non-partisan group, founded in Toronto in 2001, is financially supported by universities, private corporations and Foreign Affairs.
Ottawa's military deployment strategy has been largely seat-of-the-pants in recent years.
The military's current role with the NATO peacemaking force in Kabul was seen by many as a convenient alternative to involvement in the Iraq War.
Deployment of the military's Disaster Assistance Response Team, or DART, to tsunami-ravaged Sri Lanka was debated for a critical week, largely because it wasn't considered cost-effective, before a decision was made to send it.
Canada25's recommendations for the military were part of a larger document addressing the role of Canada in the world that was assembled after interviews with 400 young Canadians, followed by a national forum.
It comes as the federal government enters the final stages of a foreign policy and defence review that aims to map the country's international role for the next quarter-century. Among the report's other suggestions:
-Transform government departments and agencies, including Foreign Affairs, which it says should be recast as a "smaller, nimbler" agency that co-ordinates rather implements foreign policy.
-Cultivate a model relationship with the United States, enhance global markets, foster environmental sustainability and develop networks of health-care expertise worldwide.
The report says Canada should identify, focus on and encourage the specific strengths of its armed forces.
"If our unique strengths are known - domestically and internationally - our allies will know how we can most effectively contribute to routine and unforeseeable security missions," it says.
"This would make our decision-making process more predictable to our allies as well as provide Canadian policy-makers and the public with a tool to assess requests for deployment."
The report emphasizes that the military's equipment and training must be "world-class" in order for it to fit seamlessly into multinational coalitions.
And it must develop niche capabilities and specializations, such as post-conflict reconstruction, so that it can add value to those missions, says the report.
At the same time, it says Canada cannot neglect its combat capability, specifically citing the significant niche roles played by Canadian snipers and special forces during the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan in 2002.
The report also suggests the RCMP and comparable forces in allied countries develop an international police force capable of intervening where a traditional military presence is not needed.
"Not only might such a force be cheaper to deploy, it might also free up traditional peacekeeping forces resources, enabling them to be deployed where they are most needed."
Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, the deputy commander of NATO's Kabul force for six months ending last year, said there needs to be more exchange of the kind that the Canada25 report generated during a Monday forum at Foreign Affairs.
"Canada25's proposals are worthy of some really serious study," said Leslie, currently engaged in doctoral studies at Royal Military College.
"It's an internationalist point of view. They're talking about a more activist Canada, taking care of our own security first but as well focusing our efforts overseas where we think it will make a difference."
Prime Minister Paul Martin has already committed to 5,000 additional troops, whose primary role would be overseas duties.
At the forum, Robert Greenhill, a foreign policy analyst who conducted a project based on interviews with 40 leading thinkers worldwide, said experts feel Canada has virtually "disappeared" from the world stage militarily.
Canada's military currently constitutes about two per cent of UN-approved deployed forces, said Greenhill, whose External Voices Project was done for the Canadian Institute of International Affairs.
"It has declined from us being a modest but important player to being virtually insignificant, particularly in peacekeeping and peace enforcement," he said.
"Today, we have fewer professionals on the front line than Doctors Without Borders."
Military experts told him Canada should develop a rapid-insertion force in the form of a self-contained mobile brigade, an idea that is already taking root in government and military circles in Ottawa.
Forces should maintain combat capability while developing specialty: report
OTTAWA (CP) - Canada's armed forces should maintain their combat capability while developing specialized expertise in postwar reconstruction, says a report by a group reflecting the views of young Canadians.
The military must be prepared for multinational peace operations as well as unforeseen threats to the country's "interests, values and security," says Canada25, a think-tank representing Canadians between 20 and 35 years old. The federal government needs to develop a military deployment strategy that is transparent and predictable, says the group's report, From Middle Power to Model Power: Recharging Canada's Role in the World.
"For each mission, our allies, the public, and our troops need to know - as far ahead as possible - what we are getting into, what we will do, and when we will get out," says the 116-page document.
"The federal government should immediately articulate clear intervention criteria for both multilateral peace operations and for deployments to defend against unforeseen threats."
The non-profit, non-partisan group, founded in Toronto in 2001, is financially supported by universities, private corporations and Foreign Affairs.
Ottawa's military deployment strategy has been largely seat-of-the-pants in recent years.
The military's current role with the NATO peacemaking force in Kabul was seen by many as a convenient alternative to involvement in the Iraq War.
Deployment of the military's Disaster Assistance Response Team, or DART, to tsunami-ravaged Sri Lanka was debated for a critical week, largely because it wasn't considered cost-effective, before a decision was made to send it.
Canada25's recommendations for the military were part of a larger document addressing the role of Canada in the world that was assembled after interviews with 400 young Canadians, followed by a national forum.
It comes as the federal government enters the final stages of a foreign policy and defence review that aims to map the country's international role for the next quarter-century. Among the report's other suggestions:
-Transform government departments and agencies, including Foreign Affairs, which it says should be recast as a "smaller, nimbler" agency that co-ordinates rather implements foreign policy.
-Cultivate a model relationship with the United States, enhance global markets, foster environmental sustainability and develop networks of health-care expertise worldwide.
The report says Canada should identify, focus on and encourage the specific strengths of its armed forces.
"If our unique strengths are known - domestically and internationally - our allies will know how we can most effectively contribute to routine and unforeseeable security missions," it says.
"This would make our decision-making process more predictable to our allies as well as provide Canadian policy-makers and the public with a tool to assess requests for deployment."
The report emphasizes that the military's equipment and training must be "world-class" in order for it to fit seamlessly into multinational coalitions.
And it must develop niche capabilities and specializations, such as post-conflict reconstruction, so that it can add value to those missions, says the report.
At the same time, it says Canada cannot neglect its combat capability, specifically citing the significant niche roles played by Canadian snipers and special forces during the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan in 2002.
The report also suggests the RCMP and comparable forces in allied countries develop an international police force capable of intervening where a traditional military presence is not needed.
"Not only might such a force be cheaper to deploy, it might also free up traditional peacekeeping forces resources, enabling them to be deployed where they are most needed."
Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, the deputy commander of NATO's Kabul force for six months ending last year, said there needs to be more exchange of the kind that the Canada25 report generated during a Monday forum at Foreign Affairs.
"Canada25's proposals are worthy of some really serious study," said Leslie, currently engaged in doctoral studies at Royal Military College.
"It's an internationalist point of view. They're talking about a more activist Canada, taking care of our own security first but as well focusing our efforts overseas where we think it will make a difference."
Prime Minister Paul Martin has already committed to 5,000 additional troops, whose primary role would be overseas duties.
At the forum, Robert Greenhill, a foreign policy analyst who conducted a project based on interviews with 40 leading thinkers worldwide, said experts feel Canada has virtually "disappeared" from the world stage militarily.
Canada's military currently constitutes about two per cent of UN-approved deployed forces, said Greenhill, whose External Voices Project was done for the Canadian Institute of International Affairs.
"It has declined from us being a modest but important player to being virtually insignificant, particularly in peacekeeping and peace enforcement," he said.
"Today, we have fewer professionals on the front line than Doctors Without Borders."
Military experts told him Canada should develop a rapid-insertion force in the form of a self-contained mobile brigade, an idea that is already taking root in government and military circles in Ottawa.
George Wallace
Army.ca Dinosaur
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Soooo.........has the wheel made a full turn and we are bringing back the SSF?
GW
GW
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I caught the last end of a special done on the Airborne and Min of Def said there is no current plan on re-establishing them however they are going to expand the role of the JTF.
P.S. I believe it when I see it. Martin's own senators have been telling him and Jean they need to spend more on the military in the past couple of years and have studies to back it up.
P.S. I believe it when I see it. Martin's own senators have been telling him and Jean they need to spend more on the military in the past couple of years and have studies to back it up.
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Thanks for tidying up the presentation George.
CFL both you and GW could be right. I don't think we will ever see an Airborne unit, or even a Parachute unit. However the SSF was more than the Airborne. It was also 1 RCR IIRC and was essentially a mini-rapid reaction brigade.
They could still square the circle and get Martin his 4th Brigade by Grouping the LIBs and maybe standing up some additional support elements. We've already had lots of speculation about that possibility at this site.
But like you, seeing's believing.
CFL both you and GW could be right. I don't think we will ever see an Airborne unit, or even a Parachute unit. However the SSF was more than the Airborne. It was also 1 RCR IIRC and was essentially a mini-rapid reaction brigade.
They could still square the circle and get Martin his 4th Brigade by Grouping the LIBs and maybe standing up some additional support elements. We've already had lots of speculation about that possibility at this site.
But like you, seeing's believing.
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Why not make 3 Rapid self contained BG? Well I guess I'll answer my own question and say money. $$ to tpt troops and kit, buy additional kit and supplies etc.
B
Big Bad John
Guest
Sounds a lot like 3 Commando Brigade in the UK to me.
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wouldn't be bad for morale either as its something to strive for that isn't as lofty a goal as the JTF.
B
Big Bad John
Guest
In todays Ottawa Citizen. It sounds as if someone is pushing the idea politically.
Canada 'virtually insignificant' on world stage
Swift peacekeeping brigade the only way to restore lost lustre, panel says
Mike Blanchfield
The Ottawa Citizen; with files from The Canadian Press
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
A major study of politicians, diplomats and thinkers from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America has concluded that Canada has become an irrelevant force on the international stage, but can regain its edge if it creates a swift and mobile brigade of peacekeepers.
Although the world appreciates Canada's military contributions to the Balkans and Afghanistan, we are seen as a bit player in bringing peace to war-torn parts of the world. As one respondent said: "For all intents and purposes you are no longer here."
Robert Greenhill, a former president of Montreal's Bombardier Inc. and author of the study on Canada's role in the world, called the results "sobering." Mr. Greenhill spent the last six months interviewing 40 experts from across the globe in what is believed to be one of the most high-level surveys of foreign figures on Canada's role in the world. It was sponsored by the Canadian Institute of International Affairs, a non-profit, non-governmental organization headquartered in Toronto.
Survey subjects included former U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger, former Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans, and a host of other politicians from Asia, Europe, Africa, as well as economists, military experts, scholars and senior bureaucrats.
Titled External Voices, the study is to be made public next month and will coincide with the Martin government's international policy review.
In a presentation yesterday to a government and diplomatic audience at Foreign Affairs, and in an interview with the Citizen, Mr. Greenhill gave a preview of the study's main findings.
Not surprisingly, Canada's international influence is seen as waning in the decade and a half since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War.
Many respondents cited the 1989-92 period under Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who fought against apartheid in South Africa, and the late 1990s tenure of former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy, who spearheaded the international ban on landmines, as the only recent periods when Canada made a difference on the world stage.
But the international community does not want it to stay that way, Mr. Greenhill added in the interview.
"Everybody from the Africans to the Americans to the Europeans said Canada having an autonomous mobile brigade that could actually get into tough regions quickly and be there for a couple of months at a time, would make a huge difference," he said.
"First, is that few people can do it today. Secondly, those who can, like the Americans and British, are often seen as compromised politically. Whereas Canada coming in with the Maple Leaf, with civility, is seen as very useful."
Mr. Greenhill said Canada is also seen as having the potential to play a "very special role" in post-conflict reconstruction.
Mr. Greenhill said the recent controversy over the delayed deployment of the military's Disaster Assistance Response Team to Sri Lanka following the Indian Ocean tsunami illustrates the problems facing Canada's ability to respond to international crises.
"It took us ages to get there and then it was useful," he said.
Canada's military currently constitutes about two per cent of UN-approved deployed forces, said Mr. Greenhill
"It has declined from us being a modest but important player to being virtually insignificant, particularly in peacekeeping and peace enforcement," he said.
About one-third of respondents said Canada could use some heavy airlift capability -- large transport planes that only the U.S. and British military own -- but two-thirds said Canada could make due hitching rides with its larger allies or renting commercially as it does now.
[Edited to make reading easier & remove unused space]
Canada 'virtually insignificant' on world stage
Swift peacekeeping brigade the only way to restore lost lustre, panel says
Mike Blanchfield
The Ottawa Citizen; with files from The Canadian Press
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
A major study of politicians, diplomats and thinkers from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America has concluded that Canada has become an irrelevant force on the international stage, but can regain its edge if it creates a swift and mobile brigade of peacekeepers.
Although the world appreciates Canada's military contributions to the Balkans and Afghanistan, we are seen as a bit player in bringing peace to war-torn parts of the world. As one respondent said: "For all intents and purposes you are no longer here."
Robert Greenhill, a former president of Montreal's Bombardier Inc. and author of the study on Canada's role in the world, called the results "sobering." Mr. Greenhill spent the last six months interviewing 40 experts from across the globe in what is believed to be one of the most high-level surveys of foreign figures on Canada's role in the world. It was sponsored by the Canadian Institute of International Affairs, a non-profit, non-governmental organization headquartered in Toronto.
Survey subjects included former U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger, former Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans, and a host of other politicians from Asia, Europe, Africa, as well as economists, military experts, scholars and senior bureaucrats.
Titled External Voices, the study is to be made public next month and will coincide with the Martin government's international policy review.
In a presentation yesterday to a government and diplomatic audience at Foreign Affairs, and in an interview with the Citizen, Mr. Greenhill gave a preview of the study's main findings.
Not surprisingly, Canada's international influence is seen as waning in the decade and a half since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War.
Many respondents cited the 1989-92 period under Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who fought against apartheid in South Africa, and the late 1990s tenure of former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy, who spearheaded the international ban on landmines, as the only recent periods when Canada made a difference on the world stage.
But the international community does not want it to stay that way, Mr. Greenhill added in the interview.
"Everybody from the Africans to the Americans to the Europeans said Canada having an autonomous mobile brigade that could actually get into tough regions quickly and be there for a couple of months at a time, would make a huge difference," he said.
"First, is that few people can do it today. Secondly, those who can, like the Americans and British, are often seen as compromised politically. Whereas Canada coming in with the Maple Leaf, with civility, is seen as very useful."
Mr. Greenhill said Canada is also seen as having the potential to play a "very special role" in post-conflict reconstruction.
Mr. Greenhill said the recent controversy over the delayed deployment of the military's Disaster Assistance Response Team to Sri Lanka following the Indian Ocean tsunami illustrates the problems facing Canada's ability to respond to international crises.
"It took us ages to get there and then it was useful," he said.
Canada's military currently constitutes about two per cent of UN-approved deployed forces, said Mr. Greenhill
"It has declined from us being a modest but important player to being virtually insignificant, particularly in peacekeeping and peace enforcement," he said.
About one-third of respondents said Canada could use some heavy airlift capability -- large transport planes that only the U.S. and British military own -- but two-thirds said Canada could make due hitching rides with its larger allies or renting commercially as it does now.
[Edited to make reading easier & remove unused space]
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We don't need more unit's lets man the units we have now to the strengh they should be at. My unit has 2 FD Sqn's with maybe a full 36 pers troop in each sqn. The support sqn has maybe half a troops worth of troops in it. We can not support any real operation with the numbers we have now. We have troops going on tours 2 or 3 times to the same place. It is like a veh with a low tire pressure you fill it up to the right pressure it will run smoothly. And yes we should have never disbanded the Airborne Regiment.
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