Canadian Forces Primary Reserve

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Image:Calgary Highlanders Exercise Black Bear 2004.jpg

Reserve infantrymen train in urban operations circa 2004. Reserve training focuses on real world situations and the needs of the Regular Force who rely on the Reserves for augmentation on operational deployments.

The Primary Reserve is Canada's military reserve force and is the largest of four components to the Canadian Forces reserves; those being the Primary Reserve, the Supplementary Reserve, the Canadian Rangers, and the Cadet Instructors Cadre. The reserve force is represented, though not commanded, at the national level by the Chief of Reserves and Cadets. This is usually a Major General or Rear Admiral.

The Primary Reserve comprises citizen soldiers, sailors, and aircrew who train and are posted to CF operations or duties on a casual or on-going basis. Each reserve force is operationally and administratively responsible to its corresponding environmental command. Reservists number approximately 23,000 (all ranks, all services). The CF maintains a "total force" policy as outlined in both the 1987 and 1994 Defence White Papers, where reservists are trained to the level of and interchangeable with their regular force counterparts. It would be difficult to overstate the importance of the reserves to sustaining CF operations, particularly following the defence budget cuts and increased operational tempo of the 1990s.

1 Naval Reserve
2 Land Force Reserve
3 Air Reserve
4 Communication Reserve
5 Health Services Reserve
6 Employment
7 Deployment
8 Equipment

[edit] Naval Reserve

The Naval Reserve (NAVRES) is the reserve element of Maritime Command. It is organized into divisions (shore-based training locations known as NRDs) which are located in 24 communities across the country. Each NRD has Regular Forces members posted as Regular Support Staff (RSS) to assist in daily operations, along with some full-time reservists on staff. Training is conducted year-round with regular force counterparts at the three Fleet Schools and reservists frequently deploy on regular force missions to fill out ships' companies. The NAVRES supplies all personnel (except three regular force personnel - two Electricians and one Naval Electronics Technician) for the 12 Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDVs), which are used for patrol, minesweeping and bottom-inspection operations. The NAVRES has a funded manning level of 4,000, though it currently opts to retain only 3,400 and use the excess money to train individuals to a relatively high standard.

[edit] Land Force Reserve

The Land Force Reserve (LFR), unofficially termed the Army Reserve, is the reserve element of Land Force Command (LF). It is is often referred to by the original constitutionally established name of the Canadian Army until 1940, the Militia. The LFR is organized into under-strength brigades (for purposes of administration) along geographic lines. The LFR is very active and has participated heavily in all LF deployments in the last decade, in some cases contributing as much as 40 per cent of each deployment in either individual augmentation, as well as occasional formed sub-units (companies). LFR regiments have the theoretical administrative capacity to support an entire battalion, but typically only having the deployable manpower of one or two platoons. They are perpetuated as such for the timely absorption of recruits during times of war. Current strength of the LFR is approximately 15,000, and DND committed to an increase to 18,500 in 2000.

[edit] Air Reserve

The Air Reserve is the reserve element of Air Command. It is organized into flights or squadrons that are attached to Wings at various bases. Air Reserve personnel conduct training to support Wing operations; such units are specialized in various areas of surveillance, engineering, and airfield construction. Personnel also conduct further training at AIRCOM bases and can deploy with Regular Force AIRCOM crews around the world in support of CF missions. Unlike the NAVRES and LFR, the Air Reserve is composed principally of former members of the Regular Force, though this does not reflect any official policy.

[edit] Communication Reserve

The Communication Reserve (COMMRES) is the primary reserve element responsible to the regular forces of the now defunct Communication Command (now DND's Information Management Group). COMMRES units are organized according to geographical region into Communication Groups (similar to the Army brigades). Communication Groups are further subdivided into Communication Regiments (battalions), Squadrons (companies), and Troops (platoons), located in urban centres across the country. COMMRES personnel are involved in radio communications, data transmission, and installation and maintenance of tactical cable networks.

[edit] Health Services Reserve

The 1,500-strong Health Services Reserve provides essential health services in the Canadian Forces. Health services reservists serve the Canadian Forces in a wide range of health care professions, including medicine, nursing and social work. Reserve paramedical personnel who are not civilian trained and employed are trained, as a minimum, to the level of emergency medical responder (EMR).

[edit] Employment

Members of the Canadian Forces Primary Reserve must parade at least one night a month. Most reserve units have one weeknight per week designated as a parade night. For example, The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada parade every Wednesday night.

Employment may be on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time employment is available on a limited basis.

[edit] Deployment

Overseas deployment is voluntary. Members of the Primary Reserve have to be selected after volunteering and undergo workup training before being deployed overseas. However in the case of a national emergency (such as the World Wars) parliament may call the Primary Reserve force for deployment.