Well, it‘s only my opinion ... (and, it‘s often said "opinions are like anal orifices - we all have one, and if it doesn‘t work, then we‘re full of ....)
To begin with, I feel our army is too small, and I fear will get smaller. Eventually, the budget cuts will go too deep, and we will only find out the hard way (i.e. when the bullets start flying ...)
Our infantry corps is similarly too small already (perhaps one of the reasons behind the disbanding of the Airborne Regiment was selfish greed, hoping the line serials would be re-distributed to the line infantry units ... but of course, that‘s just another conspiracy theory ... isn‘t it?)
In general, I support the concept of specialist units - BUT, only if the remainder of the "body" can support them!!
The Brits have got the Royal Marines, the Paras, and the SAS, but they‘ve also got a large enough Army - Canada doesn‘t.
Having said all of the above, I must face reality - we‘re down to three Regular infantry regiments (for now). As long as they all maintain an acceptable level of common infantry skills and expertise, there is no reason they shouldn‘t be encouraged to each develop some specialised skills (i.e. coastal battalions could, and SHOULD practice amphibious operations. Battalions nearest helicopter squadrons could, and SHOULD practice airmobile operations - heck, I wrote several articles in the Infantry Journal and Canadian Defence Quarterly suggesting airmobile, specifically.)
In this way, our pipsqueak army could at least keep some vestige of specialised skills alive. Additionally, reservists could then be allowed to go and attend training with these specialist battalions, with the eventual aim of ensuring reserve battalions were similarly tasked with specialised roles (i.e. FIBUA for urban battalions ... seems to me this was an important skill during WWII in Italy, as I recall).
Okay - let loose the dogs of ... the War Diary!!
What have you other guys got to say ‘bout this?
Dileas Gu Brath
Mark Bossi, Esquire