I'll believe it when I see it.
Unsurprisingly the mods on reddit didn't let this one see the light of daySeptember 6, 2023 – Defence Stories
Many of you will have heard by now about efforts underway by the Government of Canada to bring the growth of government spending back to a pre-pandemic path. This was announced in Budget 2023 [Chapter 6: Effective Government and a Fair Tax System | Budget 2023], and is an important – and necessary – initiative, to ensure that Canadians’ tax dollars are being used efficiently.
As one of the largest federal departments, National Defence has an important role to play in effective and efficient government operations. Early efforts are now underway across the Defence Team to address our part in this initiative by developing spending reduction options. Assistant Deputy Minister (Finance) is leading this exercise in consultation with Level 1 organizations.
Reductions related to operating expenditures will be phased in over three years and are not expected to result in job losses outside of normal attrition, or reallocation, ensuring that our people’s work is focused on high-priority initiatives. Similarly, reductions identified related to professional services and travel will have no impact on employment levels. The extent of impact is yet to be confirmed.
This exercise is distinct from the Defence Policy Update process announced in Budget 2022 [Chapter 5: Canada’s Leadership in the World | Budget 2022], which is still underway.
Expenditure reviews are an essential part of responsible management, and we all have a role to play in finding ways to deliver the best results for Canadians. This will entail hard decisions. However, this is not about doing more with less or arbitrary cost-cutting. It is about ensuring the defence budget is directed toward top defence and government priorities; and in an increasingly dangerous world, ensuring this will not negatively impact the ability of the CAF to perform its functions — keeping Canadians safe and contributing to international security.
For this, we are counting on your support as we move forward this fall with priorities for review.
We are committed to communicating clearly and regularly on the progress and scope of this important work.
Bill Matthews Deputy Minister
General Wayne Eyre Chief of the Defence Staff
When they say things like that, we all know that it means the opposite.Expenditure reviews are an essential part of responsible management, and we all have a role to play in finding ways to deliver the best results for Canadians. This will entail hard decisions. However, this is not about doing more with less or arbitrary cost-cutting. It is about ensuring the defence budget is directed toward top defence and government priorities; and in an increasingly dangerous world, ensuring this will not negatively impact the ability of the CAF to perform its functions — keeping Canadians safe and contributing to international security.
However, this is not about doing more with less or arbitrary cost-cutting.
September 6, 2023 – Defence Stories
Many of you will have heard by now about efforts underway by the Government of Canada to bring the growth of government spending back to a pre-pandemic path. This was announced in Budget 2023 [Chapter 6: Effective Government and a Fair Tax System | Budget 2023], and is an important – and necessary – initiative, to ensure that Canadians’ tax dollars are being used efficiently.
As one of the largest federal departments, National Defence has an important role to play in effective and efficient government operations. Early efforts are now underway across the Defence Team to address our part in this initiative by developing spending reduction options. Assistant Deputy Minister (Finance) is leading this exercise in consultation with Level 1 organizations.
Reductions related to operating expenditures will be phased in over three years and are not expected to result in job losses outside of normal attrition, or reallocation, ensuring that our people’s work is focused on high-priority initiatives. Similarly, reductions identified related to professional services and travel will have no impact on employment levels. The extent of impact is yet to be confirmed.
This exercise is distinct from the Defence Policy Update process announced in Budget 2022 [Chapter 5: Canada’s Leadership in the World | Budget 2022], which is still underway.
Expenditure reviews are an essential part of responsible management, and we all have a role to play in finding ways to deliver the best results for Canadians. This will entail hard decisions. However, this is not about doing more with less or arbitrary cost-cutting. It is about ensuring the defence budget is directed toward top defence and government priorities; and in an increasingly dangerous world, ensuring this will not negatively impact the ability of the CAF to perform its functions — keeping Canadians safe and contributing to international security.
For this, we are counting on your support as we move forward this fall with priorities for review.
We are committed to communicating clearly and regularly on the progress and scope of this important work.
Bill Matthews Deputy Minister
General Wayne Eyre Chief of the Defence Staff
Fundamental difference right there between the CAF and US military (based on my"Don't "retreat" into release, but step up and do your part for the CAF(with less)"
The CAF definitely has a culture problem in that regard.Fundamental difference right there between the CAF and US military (based on my experience). Using the word "retreat" was just ignorant in the least but exemplifies the barely hidden sentiment that when you leave or retire from the CAF before CRA, you're just a quitter.
When you leave the US Marine Corps after 3 years: "HUAAA once a Marine always a Marine! Here is your GI Bill!"
The CAF definitely has a culture problem in that regard.
I have friends/co-workers that have been told that after 20 years of service they weren't proving their "loyalty" to the CAF because they signed a CE rather than an IPS. 20 years of service is pretty loyal...
…it’s not like they made you process your own release. Sheesh, cut them some slack…Ordering your own Army and CAF certificates of service, and having no communication about your release from your higher CoC after putting in your release after 30+ years of service enter the conversation.
Don’t be too sure…it’s not like they made you process your own release. Sheesh, cut them some slack…
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The CAF looks at everyone as a 25-year career. The US military looks at most enlistees as a one-posting commitment - they are trying to put through as many people as they can, expecting most to leave.Fundamental difference right there between the CAF and US military (based on myexperienceobservations). Using the word "retreat" was just ignorant in the least but exemplifies the barely hidden sentiment that when you leave or retire from the CAF before CRA, you're just a quitter.
When you leave the US Marine Corps after 3 years: "HUAAA once a Marine always a Marine! Here is your GI Bill!"
I've always thought that a blend of both systems is the way to go. Plan on short career cycles for most (and set up the recruiting and training systems accordingly) but have a role for the long haul specialists even if they aren't the up or out types. There is a place for master captains and career corporals. This is one reason I like the US warrant officer system - it's not the same idea but one that looks at technical expertise and leadership without the need for a uni education nor the carrying of a baton in a knapsack.The CAF looks at everyone as a 25-year career. The US military looks at most enlistees as a one-posting commitment - they are trying to put through as many people as they can, expecting most to leave.
Hence the “up or out” which means folks aren’t incentivized to specialize and be SMEs. If you are a superstar AVN Tech and want to keep turning wrenches your entire career - guess what, you can’t do that in the US military. You have to be promoted within a few cycles or you get punted with zero benefits.
There have been several attempts to redirect the stream down here.The CAF looks at everyone as a 25-year career. The US military looks at most enlistees as a one-posting commitment - they are trying to put through as many people as they can, expecting most to leave.
Hence the “up or out” which means folks aren’t incentivized to specialize and be SMEs. If you are a superstar AVN Tech and want to keep turning wrenches your entire career - guess what, you can’t do that in the US military. You have to be promoted within a few cycles or you get punted with zero benefits.
In your opinion is the CAF or US system better as a whole?There have been several attempts to redirect the stream down here.
One can hide in certain places (for instance you aren’t getting Up or Out’s in SOCOM) but the Big Services have institutional issues when they try to look at revamping.
The Big Army training system has looked at making some WO positions (again no push for OoO) for what have historically SNCO billets, but that also involves then changing courses to let SME’s take longer with students. Which course length changes then require the whole readiness system to change.
It’s the butterfly effect and I don’t see any willingness at the highest levels to deal with it.
Trick QuestionIn your opinion is the CAF or US system better as a whole?
Don’t worry Kev, I’m sure the next Light Force Working Group will get it all sorted and CCA will embrace and implement the LFWG’s recommendations.I do know that in talking to several folks I used to serve with that the Airborne and Light skills have been severely hurt in Canada, but that has been a direct result from the structural changes that the CA has endorsed itself to.
Ha. Ha. Ha…Don’t worry Kev, I’m sure the next Light Force Working Group will get it all sorted and CCA will embrace and implement the LFWG’s recommendations.