There's a screaming need for a better approach to CT these days. The issue isn't so bad at the Pte level, but moreso as the rank level increases. As many rightly point out, this is all done on a case by case basis. Beyond the boards though, there's also the issue of what happens on arrival at the regiments.
2 issues:
1. There's a hard rule that CT Res- Reg has a rank maximum of Cpl/ Capt. So, I've seen res WO's CT and become simple section members. While some regression in rank can be expected, that's crazy.
2. Pers with op experience beyond the section member level do not typically get recognized. I know of cases where a guy had deployed as a Sergeant in theatre, but on arrival at the unit was treated as a new Cpl (obviously not the same regiment that he had gone on tour with). Again, some regression in rank is reasonable, but to what extent?
In both cases, we are shortchanging the experiences of our people, and we're already too short of qualified leaders to be pigeonholing like that. Heck, the way things are going now, it's conceivable that a reservist could have substantially more operational experience than his reg F colleagues (I've had guys do 2 tours in 18 months, and one do 3 tours in 3.5 years) There's got to be a better way of taking advantage of the high level of experience that many res soldiers are now bringing to the table.