Scipio:
Quote: I saw groups from the Air Force, Navy, and Army march during a remembrence day cermoney. They were totally out of sync, it was almost embarrising. I could not believe that the march was not practiced and held to a standard. Arms went arwy, legs out of sync, etc...
Reply: I do not doubt it; it takes practice for formations to conduct perfect marching technique; most remembrance day ceremonies get 2 days practice and thats only for sizing, forming threes and practicing getting the officers on and off the parade square. Yes, as an Army soldier who worked a lot with the Air Force, it was a constant source of embarassment having to drill with many of these guys because some of them didnt know what they were doing (at some ceremenies I had to assist the unit RSM with rpoper guidelines, like NOT letting the reviewing officer walk between members of the colour party!). Why? because they were doing more important jobs; making sure we were paid, feeding our troops, repairing aircraft, conducting SAR, flying ammo and food to points overseas. I'll tell you, when I came in from a road trip across the country-side, I didnt give a damn about a Governer-General visit and the ensuing parade, I wanted the clerk to give me my ration card, then sleep, and eat decent food for the next 12 hours so I could go out and do another 6 days work of 16 hour days on the road each day.
Quote: Jack Granastein also commented on this during his book "who killed the canadian military?". During the early 90's, some British and Canadian soldiers put on a drill show for an audience of politicians and civillians. Jack (ex CF officer) felt emberassed when the Canadian squad was clearly not on par with our British Counterparts. Granted, It's hard to beat the Brits; Sandhurst has beaten West Point and RMC grads for the past 10 years in skills competition. But the point did highlight my concern.
Reply: You want Canadian soldiers to win a 'drill competition'!!!??? For bleep's sake, that is crazy (and a little scary). I'd rather have my soldiers be experts with weapons, tactics and first aid! Mr. Jack can be embarrased all he wants beacuse frankly before 1990 the only things our guys did was Cyprus, Germany and Golan heights, which allowed a lot of time for "by the left quick march' (not including that hot summer in 74 in Cyprus for our airborne boys who were there when the Turks decided to do some land speculation - apologies to other who were in tight spots before 1990 that I cant recall at the moment).
Quote: Proper drill really does reflect the state of a military. For awhile ours was looking pretty neglected, so it's only natural that ceremonial events and routine, such as drill, will be affected. Canadian boys were to busy in non-stop Peace keeping missions and being over stretched to the fullest during the past decade, along with budget cuts. So I'm not blaming them. Canadian's are as good as the best when given proper funding.
Reply: Ceremony has its time and place. But there a lot more important things than marching up and down the square. Drill doesnt reflect our military state, skill with weapons and equipment reflects the military state. For example, the Gurkhas are as an entity, in my opinion, are the toughest little SOBs and best rifle shots, in the world, bar none. They will drive themselves to the edge to accomplish their job and maintain their regimental honor. Now who would I rather have backing me up in a tight spot? A Squaddie of the First Lord Lieutenants Ottawa Super-Exact Drill Team (Elite), or a Squad of Gurkhas?
Get in, get experience, and get edumacated!
Apologies to Monty Python: "Anyone got anything better to do than marching up and down the SQUARE? Right , you then, what?"
"Sir, Ive got three reports to finish, then clean my weapons, ready vehicle, and leave in 3 hours for my next assignment"
"Right, off you go then!" .
