The Big Black Hole Coming Soon

[FITSUMO]

"If you were truly in a Reg Force Cbt Arms Unit, you would realize that Techies have to do Sentry, Security Picket, and Close Protection of their vehicles and equipment in the Field.  Cbt Arms soldiers are not there to protect them 24 and 7. " Was in res, so I have to admit that I had little interaction with techie types, and you did make a good point on how the cbt arms are not there all the time( did not consider it).

" In the majority of cases, these guys would have no idea of what it is like in the Field nor how to stay alive in a Cbt environment should they be put there, and now a days they are likely to be put into such situations."  I naively thought that even techie types where taught first at sq and then later on in thier units how to deal with( for the most part) cbt environs.

" I totally miss your logic of Gunners building bridges and Engineers manning Arty pieces.  We are Soldiers first, and then Techies. " just trying to make a point on the right skill set for the right job......


I have been lashed, I will learn from my mistakes and carry on, thought I would put a different spin on the topic, and all I did was spin out.

respect

 

[GO!!!]

While I agree in principal with the idea of forcing future technicians to perform cbt arms service, no one has addressed the problem of burdening the cbt arms with people who have no desire to stay there, further diluting the PCF course concentrations, and leading to the possible spectre of some individuals spending years in the cbt arms, but not getting the courses/experience that they need to advance, due to rapid cycling of the trade.

Also "operational tempo" is stated several times in this thread in regards to cbt arms attrition rates. Be assured, this is not the problem. No one is quitting the infantry due to too many tours anymore. The number one reason for troops finishing their first BE and quitting is the opposite - the LACK of opportunities to deploy. While widget techs may be offered a tour every year, there is no such luck for the cbt arms, who may wait 3-7 years between deployments, and OT, or release due to the grind of endless garrison routine, and the constant readiness for tours that never seem to come.

Also, given that the service trades outnumber the pointy end by a ratio of 11 - 1? the idea of staffing them with former cbt arms would seem to be putting those trades into a severe manning crunch - would it not?

 

[Pte. Bloggins]

Having worked around the comms systems in a static company CP, I can see the need for trained Signals guys - there is alot of equipment in there and relying on infantry types to figure it out would require too much time that is better spent on other ventures.

In addition, we sigs learn lots of other equipment that an infanteer would never have the need to know how to use, like equipment used in message centres, etc. etc. Not to mention the fiascos of getting security clearances for everyone... the infantry are too busy learning how to close with and destroy the enemy, they need the manpack and 521 to complete that task. Leave us sigs types to worry about the rest.

 

[Bert]

GO!! and George

As a subjective supplement to the OT/remustering statements, about 20% of my WTIS unit are
remustered members, most are ex-combat arms.  A few went civilian too.  I can't speak for other
units or bases.  Remustering does happen and it works in these cases.

 

[George Wallace]

That's OK Bert....we probably knew some of them.  ;D  Hence our refering to them.  Thanks.

 

[mgreer]

IMHO, I believe that all Soldiers should have to join as one of the Combat Arms trades. This would give the Army a deeper pool to draw from and give experience to all support trades. After the BE, the Soldier would then be given an opportunity for remuster.

Well said Chimo. Agreed. To bad it makes perfect sense!