Where can I get info on this...

[VENOM]

I'm gonna be in the CF soon as an enlisted infantryman et I would like to pursue my career in one of the following field of expertise: As a "pathfinder" or as a "combat diver". So any of you had experiences with people from those field I would like to hear from you on that just to give me an idea of what kind of life and what kind of challenges are ahead of me. What kind of people are in those units? I know that I will have a lot of challenges in store for me but I would like to know what I'm "up against". Any links and/or informations would be appriciated.Thank you in advance.

Venom

BTW: I have been watching this board for a long time now without posting anything, I know I will get more good information here than on the official CF site. http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/rolleyes.gif

[Enfield]

For combat diver you have to be in the Combat Engineers, or the Navy if you want Clearance Diver. Infantry won't get you there.
Pathfinder - I don't think that exists anymore, but it's been mentioned on here that the course was run for the first time in years recently. But there is no Pathfinder unit that I know of, it left with the Airborne. I have met ex-Pathfinders, and they're amazing soldiers. Closest you will get would be a Recce Platoon or JTF-2.
The people in unit's like that are motivated, professional, and tough.
For Infantry, if you want to stick to elite units, you would go to the Regiment's Jump Company or Battalion Recce Platoon first, then try out for JTF-2. Along the way, you'd rack up courses, and a couple UN tours.

Enfield

[Cole]

Do all Canadian Infantry Regiments have their own jump companies and recce detatchments? What are the sizes and how does one join?

[garett]

Each Regiment has a Jump Coy and each battalion has a recce platoon. To join a Jump Coy you need to get a jump course and to join the recce platoon you need your recce course. These two courses aren't the easiest in the Infantry to get.

[garett]

Each Regiment has a Jump Coy and each battalion has a recce platoon. To join a Jump Coy you need to get a jump course and to join the recce platoon you need your recce course. These two courses aren't the easiest in the Infantry to get.

[VENOM]

To Enfield:

Thanks for the information. For Combat divers, I knew that it was something like that. But for the Pathfinder I think there are still some units. Cause one of my friend's friend is supposedly one (I never met him personnaly because he's always out of the country so I couldn't check). But if someone have a little bit of information on that, feel free to post it.

Thanks

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VENOM

[This message has been edited by VENOM (edited 05-26-2000).]

[King]

Does anyone know where they ran those old pathfinder course out of? Petawawa would be my guess.

[VENOM]

I found the official website of the Canadian Parachute Center (CPC)in Trenton, Ontario,formely known as the Canadian Airborne Center(CABC).The CPC is in Trenton, Ontario, since his 1996. This is the link:
http://www.8wing.trenton.dnd.ca/cpc/default.htm

This site is still under construction but has good info. I even found that CPC is running his Patrol pathfinder course there trough their second platoon training company:
http://www.8wing.trenton.dnd.ca/cpc/trainingcoy.htm

Here's the quote from the site:

"The role of 2 platoon in Training Company at CPC Trenton is divided in three avenues. The three avenues are as follow: Military Freefall Parachuting, Patrol Pathfinder and Rappel Master. These courses are only offered to select volunteers of the Canadian Forces."

Here's the description of the Patrol pathfinder course from the site:

" This course is designed to provide the soldier skills and knowledge that will enable individuals to perform the duties of a Patrol Pathfinder while operating within a pathfinder group. The Patrol Pathfinder will command a pathfinder group that is inserted anywhere on the battlefield via a variety of methods to prepare for follow-on operations by a main force. The pathfinder will brief and guide tactical elements to objectives. These include reception, link-up and actions in support of operational level objectives. The pathfinder group may be tasked with independent missions."

The only thing that this site doesn't have the detailed description and requirements of the courses cause it's still under construction. But it still a good site. Tell me what you think about it.

King :if they are conducting the pathfinder course at the Canadian Parachute Center (Trenton, Ontario)right now, I'm sure it was the same thing before 1996 but at the Canadian Airborne Center in Edmonton, Alberta.

Feel free to correct me and post any comments.

BTW: If you have any info on the basic and/or physical requirement to attend the Patrol Pathfinder course please let me know.


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VENOM