Heya... Just wanted to throw my 2 cents in. Please, by all means, correct me if I'm wrong.
Now, the reserves were created in order to have (from the gvt's POV) a larger pseudo-standing army post World War ?. I believe that the purpose was should WW?+1 come along, they would be able to call up soldiers who were partially trained almost immediately... For example, given the old method of war (I mean world wars, fought over huge areas, encompassing large, "regular" (ie. non-terrorist/guerrilla warfare) if we were to engage in WWIII, the gov't could call up ALL active reserve members, regardless of hardship for leaving work. If you are needed to defend your country, you go. End of story. You agreed to enlist as a reserve member, but when it comes down to it, the government can make you go, right?
Reason I'm asking is that much of this thread seems to focus on the fact that these reservists are *ASKED* to volunteer... And in the current politically-charged situations overseas, I would imagine many reservists aren't volunteering based solely on personal beliefs regarding current conflicts.
From experience, a family member is a Lt. Comdr with the Naval reserves. He got an LOA from his place of employment (private company no less) for 1 year in order to continue his MARS training/duties on a MCDV. He volunteered for this posting... (Mind you, I believe that the majority of the MCDV's are staffed by Naval reserves...) Now, he's the first to admit that he was much "rustier" than his regular forces counterparts, but he was able to catch on quickly, (ie. faster than if they trained a new MARS officer from scratch...) If he were asked to go again, he would almost certainly have to say no. He's got a wife, 2 kids, (nice cousins, still trying to convince them to go CF) and a great job... HOWEVER, if we were in a conflict such as one I mentioned above (one that Canada needed to fight in, PLEASE don't respond politically, this is an example) he would be "drafted" and wouldn't have a choice. If the gvt' demanded reserves to go regular, he'd either go full-time, or go to prison, right? (I can't ask him, he's hiding in Quito somewhere right now.)
I'm of the opinion that if you join the reserves, you shouldn't be under any obligation to go one tours, UNLESS REQUIRED (to keep training up, etc.) Face it, like it or not, the reserves (IMO) ARE weekend warriors, so should we really call them up, or expect a higher number to "volunteer"? I signed up full-time knowing that I'm going to be risking my life on a semi-permanent basis. Reservists (IMO) don't.
I don't believe that the three-tiered system mentioned above would work, for the logistical nightmares it would cause, but the way in which the CDN military is used has altered dramatically since the inception of the reserves... I believe they are necessary, but should be used more for homeland security than any real intention of sending them abroad. IE. if Toronto gets a few inches of snow this year, send in the reserves to dig them out.
B.N.S.
P.S. Application went in for MARS officer, full-time... MAN, there's a lot of paperwork, isn't there?