Canadian Special Operations Regiment

Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) Headquarters: CFB Petawawa Predecessor: None Raised: 2006 Current Role: Special Operations Subordinate to: CANSOFCOM

The Canadian Special Operations Regiment was stood up in early 2006 as an additional special operations unit in the Canadian Forces, operating under the newly created Canadian Special Operations Force Command. It is the first new Regiment created in the Canadian Forces since 1968 and the creation of The Canadian Airborne Regiment.

Current Information

Organization: The regiment will eventually consist of three Direct Action Companies, a Special Forces Company, and a Support Company, and number approximately 750 men. ¹

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Hammond

Recruiting (CANFORGEN 195/05)

The following is verbatim from CANFORGEN 195/05:

RECRUITING CAMPAIGN 2006 - CDN SPEC OPS REGT OPERATORS AND SUPPORTERS

The recent creation of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) provides the Canadian Government and Chief of Defence Staff with an agile, high readiness Special Operations Force (SOF) capable of conducting special operations across the spectrum of conflict at home and abroad.

The Canadian Special Operations Regiment will be an integral component of CANSOFCOM, and will provide a rapid response capability for special operation missions throughout Canada and the world. The Canadian Special Operations Regiment will complent Joint Task Force 2 and will be capable of independent high-readiness combat operations. CSOR roles include support to counter-terrorism, direct action, special reconnaissance, non-combatant evacutation operations, as well as defence diplomacy and military assistance. Potential candidates can expect challenging and dynamic employment in small teams as a part of an operationally focused unit. To facilitate implementation, the unit will fill positions and conduct training and assessment using a phased approach:

• A. PHASE I (Jan to Mar 2006). An initial implementation cadre consisting of approximately 60 selected unit HQ and Combat Service Support personnel will be posted to the CFB Petawata based unit in early 2006. Screening of all CSOR volunteers from across the CF commences at home bases and units.
• B. PHASE II (Feb to Apr 2006). Chief of the Land Staff will screen a formed company group in accordance with the procedure below and as ordered in separate CLS instructions. Some further augmentees to this company will be selected from across the CF.
• C. PHASE III (Apr to Aug 2006). Initial CSOR training and assessment will be conducted. Unit reaches initial operational capability.
• D. PHASE IV (Post APS 2006). Further growth of CSOR to full operational capability at a pace directed by CDS.

Personnel for this joint unit will be recruited from across the CF, including primary reserve personnel. The unit will be comprised of two categories of personnel:

• A. CATEGORY (CAT) 1: CSOR Operators - consist of CSOR Operators and specialists (SPEC) who are directly employed in the tactical aspects of special operations and high value tasks. CSOR Operators (Cat 1) is open to both genders of any MOC and rank from Private/Ordinary Seaman to Master Warrant Officer/Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class, and Lieutenant/Sub-Lieutenant to Major/Lieutenant Commander.

• B. CAT 2: SUPPORT (SP) - consists of Support personnel selected from Regular and Reserve Force MOCs to fulfil CSOR requirements in staff and support positions.

Based on the compressed timelines, and to ensure that the CSOR recruiting process does not have an adverse effect on the operational capabilities of other CF units, unit COs will have the option to defer any applications for up to one year. This deferral can only be used once per individual. All CF personnel can apply for CSOR, but the above restrictions must be noted on their application forms.

In addition, the CLS will impose specific other restrictions that will apply only to the Army field force based on the operational demands of the Army Managed Readiness Plan. Details will be available through the Army chain of command.

Wing/Base Personnel Selection Officer will commence screening of volunteers for positions on a continual basis...While most CSOR positions are designated 971 - any MOC, a list of specific MOCs and ranks being sought are listed (below).

Pre-Requisites

Pre-Requisites for Cat 1 and 2 personnel are as follows:

• A. Minimum Security Level 1. Note: all CSOR members must hold minimum Level 2. Applicants without Level 2 must not have any admin issues or disciplinary incidents that would prevent the member from attaining a Level 2 clearance.
• B. Minimum Med Cat is 332225. Note: vision must be correctable to V1 (interim policy).
• C. Regular Force members must have minimum of 2 years service. NCMs must be minimum QL3 and Officers must be fully MOC qualified. Cat 1 Personnel must be prepared for a restricted release agreement of 3 years service imposed upon successful completion of basic CSOR training.
• D. Reservists must have a minimum of 3 years service. NCMs must be minimum QL3 and Officers must be qualified to Regular Force standards. Res Force Cat 1 applicants must be prepared for a restricted release agreement of a minimum of 3 years service and be prepared for Component Transfer to the Regular Force on completion of teh CSOR Training and Assessment Course. Reserve Force members applying for Cat 1 positions are required to forward a copy of their MPRR (PPE 806 OR CF1007) to the CSOR Recruiting Cell in order to screen for eligibility prior to applying.
• E. Possess a valid civilian driver's license.
• F. For Cat 1 personnel - applicants must not have phobias to heights, water or confined spaces. Applicants must be Basic Para qualified or volunteer for Basic Para training if not qualified. Personnel must be prepared to conduct Insert/Extract training which will require an absence of phobias to heights and a high level of physical fitness.

Screening Process

• A. STEP 1 - Unit Application: member volunteers through chain of command using the application form for service with CSOR. Forms (are) available at the Wing/Base Personnel Selection Officer offices and at the CANSOFCOM website... CSOR selection will be a highly competitive process: units are encouraged to screen out below-average performers.
• B. STEP 2 - Physical Fitness Screening: member undergoes CSOR Physical Fitness evaluation and swim test administered by PSP staff at respective CF Bases. A pre-selection PT training program will be published by PSP...
  • 1) For personnel applying for Cat 1 positions, the 2 Step/2 Day Evaluation Process is as follows:

PART 1 (DAY 1):

• 20 metre Shuttle Run Level 9 (minimum 5 minutes rest),
• minimum 40 pushups (continuous) (minimum 2 minutes rest)
• minimum 40 situps (in one minute) (minimum 2 minutes rest)
• minimum 5 pullups (minimum 15 minutes rest)
• Combat Swim Test (25 metre swim in combats, boots, rifle, no floatation)

PART 2 (DAY 2):

• 13km weight loaded march with 35kg in 2 hours, 26 minutes (minimum 10 minute break)
• casualty evacuation of soldier of similar build/weight for a distance of 100 metres in less than 60 seconds

Personnel applying for Cat 1 positions are encouraged to performe to the best of their ability on the Personnel Fitness Test. PFT scores will be used as part of the selection process, with preference given to those with higher scores.

• • (2) For personnel applying for Cat 2 positions, the 2 Step/2 Day Evaluation Process is as follows:

PART 1 (DAY 1):

• CF EXPRES (MPFS)
• Basic Military Swim Test (Water safety knowledge, abandon ship emergencies, rudimentary swimming skills.)

PART 2 (DAY 2):

• 13km weight loaded march with 24.5kg in 2 hours, 26 minutes (Army Fitness Standard)(minimum 10 minute break)
• casualty evacuation of soldier of similar build/weight for a distance of 100 metres in less than 60 seconds

• C. For all personnel, unit to forward completed application package to Wing/Base Personnel Selection Officer, including:

(1) Application for service with CSOR

(2) CSOR physical fitness and swim test results

(3) UER

(4) Pers File

(5) Conduct Sheet (if applicable)

• D. STEP 3 - BPSO Screening: to be conducted by the Wing/Base Personnel Selection Officer and will include cognitive ability and personality assessment, as well as a Wing/Base Personnel Selection Officer interview. Applicant files will not be accepted by Wing/BPSO unless there is proof of successful completion of Physical Fitness Test.
• E. It is the unit's responsibility to forward the following documents for each aplicant to the CSOR Recruiting and Selection Cell prior to the application Deadline:

(1) CF 285 (PSO Report)

(2) Application Form

(3) Physical Fitness/Swim Test Results

• F. Units will be informed by message as to which applicants have been selected to progress to the next phase of the assessment process.

CSOR Training and Assessment

• A. For Cat 1 personnel, selected candidates will attend the CSOR Training and Assessment Course...the second Training and Assessment Course is scheduled for Fall 2006. Successful Cat 1 applicants will be on Temporary Duty for the Training and Assessment period. This physically and mentally demanding training will evaluate the required attributes such as stress tolerance, perseverance, absence of phobias, physical fitness, adaptability, and weapons handling. Successful operators must have the ability to operate independently or in small teams, under adverse, ambiguous conditions.
• B. For Cat 2 personnel, selected individuals will be interviewd by CSOR personnel and if found suitable, will attend orientation training after arrival at the unti.

Questions

Questions regarding CSOR screening and training/assessment should be directed to the CANSOFCOM Recruiting and Selection Cell using the toll free number 1-(800)-959-9188. Info on CSOR will be available...at the CANSOFCOM website.

Conclusion

The creations of CSOR will provide the CF with a relevant, responsive and effective special operationss unit to complement and enhance existing capabilities. Missions will include a wide range of high value tasks such as support to counter-terrorism operations, long range reconnaissance, insertion and extraction operations, through to the evacution of non-combatants. The nature of this job will require individuals who are intelligent, physically fit, and prepared to train and maintain a high level of proficiency on a wide variety of critical skills. It is imperative that the chain of command support personnel volunteering for CSOR to the fullest extent possible.

MOCs and Ranks Required

12. A LIST OF SPECIFIC MOCS AND RANKS REQUIRED IN THE CDN SPEC OPS REGT APPEARS BELOW:

• LIST 1 - CAT 1 (OP) MOC RK POSNS (EXAMPLES)
  • ANY MAJ OFFICER COMMANDING
  • ANY CAPT COMPANY SECOND IN COMMAND/PLATOON COMMANDER ARTY (FOO)
  • CAPT FORWARD OBSERVATION OFFICER / FORWARD AIR CONTROLLER
  • 84 SIGS CAPT SIGNALS OFFICER
  • ANY MWO COMPANY SERGEANT MAJOR / OPERATIONS COMPANY SERGEANT MAJOR
  • ANY WO COMPANY QUARTERMASTER/TEAM LEADER / PLATOON WARRANT
  • 021 ARTY FD WO MORTAR LEADER
  • 732 MED TECH WO/MWO (PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT QUALIFIED)
  • 215 SIG OP WO
  • ANY SGT TEAM SECOND IN COMMAND / TRANSPORT NON COMMISSIONED OFFICER/OPERATIONS SGT
  • 021 ARTY FD SGT/MBDR MORDER LEADER SECOND IN COMMAND/ FORWARD OBSERVATION OFFICER TECH
  • 043 CBT ENGR SGT/MCPL ENGINER LEADER SECOND IN COMMAND
  • 215 SIG OP /CIS OP CPL-SGT
  • 737 MED TECH CPL-SGT
  • 031 INF MCPL (BASIC SNIPER QUALIFIED)
  • ANY MCPL COMPANY QUARTERMASTER SECOND IN COMMAND
  • 043 CBT ENGR CPL/PTE
  • 021 FD ARTY CPL/PTE
  • ANY CPL/PTE
• LIST 2 - CAT 2 (SP) MOC RK POSNS (EXAMPLES)
  • 43 EME/78 LOG
  • MAJ OFFICER COMMANDEING
  • 55 MED/78 LOG MAJ/CAPT
  • 43 EME/78 LOG CAPT COMPANY SECOND IN COMMAND/ S4 LOGISTIC OPERATIONS 78 LOG (TPT, FIN, SUP) CAPT
  • 66 PAO CAPT
  • 82 INT CAPT
  • 32 PLT (TAC HEL) CAPT
  • 71 MARS LT(N)
  • 836 RMS CLK CPL-SGT
  • 411 VEH TECH PTE-WO
  • 111 INT OP WO/MCPL
  • 142 GEO TECH SGT
  • 215 SIG OP/ CIS OP CPL-SGT
  • 227 LCIS TECH SGT
  • 052 LINEMAN CPL
  • 911 SUP TECH CPL-MWO
  • 911 (AIR DROP SPEC/ RIGGER) PTE-SGT
  • 811 MP CPL-SGT
  • 935 MSE OP PTE-WO
  • 933 TFC TECH SGT/WO
  • 921 AMMO TECH CPL-SGT
  • 647 WFE TECH PTE/CPL
  • 421 WPNS TECH LAND CPL-SGT 4
  • 34 FCS TECH CPL-SGT
  • 441 MAT TECH CPL
  • 642 ED TECH CPL/MCPL
  • ANY PTE/CPL

Uniform Distinctions

CSOR soldiers are distinguished by a tan coloured beret.

Notes

1. Meet the Military's Quiet Professionals (Article in The National Post, 29 Apr 2006).

External Links

• Official Army news video