RSS Staff

[garett]

A discussion in Gearnet kinda brought this to my attention. What has your RSS staff done for your unit? From what I've seen from our RSS Staff is that they run courses in the summer and help out on ranges. Other then that I have no idea what they do unless they do a lot of behind the scene work. I think that the whole Reg Force attitude kinda contributes to this but I can understand it too. Why teach reservists how to be trained soldiers and killers when theres a good chance they will not be in the forces for a long time? Its kinda a waste of time and energy to teach someone how to be a killer and have them running around out on civie street with these skills. On the other hand its a waste for them to work with a militia unit for a few years, losing their edge, and not have them pass on their knowledge from all their experience. Any one agree or disagree to anything I've written? Anyway its late ,I'm tired and probably going to get a blast of shit for this one.

[Enfield]

That was an interesting rant garrett =o)
Well, as you know, I've served in two Militia regiments (in different Areas) and I have to say that the difference in RSS staff is like night and day.
Back in LFAA, I didn't even know there was such a thing as RSS, let alone what they did - and looking back, I don't think they did much beyond office work.
But out here, the regiment is essentialy run by the RSS staff (a warrant and a captain).
The Warrant is extremely high-speed, and an amazing soldier. He's given a few lectures that were extremely useful, and I think he's had a major part in planning the annual ex, planning all sorts of interesting, high speed stuff.
The Captain I guess does more behind-the scenes stuff, but he's good too. And both of thm are hands on, you see them, you talk to them, info comes from their mouth (like courses, postings, "good job",etc.)

RSS staff are very valuable - for instance, said warrant is a great example of what a professional soldier should be. His lectures and the info he has to pass on are valuable, and gained from experience and schools that Reserves will never get.

As to why they're here... well, you can live in Wainright or Gagetown..or Toronto, Vancouver, etc. Same pay, more control, get to show your stuff and plan things.... there is potential for an interesting time.

Enfield

[garett]

Do you know how RSS staff are assigned? Is it my platoon, company or battalion? When I think of my battalion we have 5 RSS that I can think of and two of them might not be considered RSS. The RSS we have for sure are Two RCR Sgt's and one PPCLI. We also have a RCR Captain for an Adjutant and an RCR Sgt. Maj. working with us but I have no idea what it is that they do on the grand scheme of things. All I've really seen the Sgt. Maj. do is bitch at us because our sideburns are too long and tell jokes. Both RCR RSS Sgt's are on the way back to the battalions so maybe they will be replaced by staff that choose to take a more active role. Its a shame that I didn't get to learn more from them. All I really learned from one of them, an ex-Airborne Somalia/Rwanda vet, is where the hotspots (read brothels) are in Nairobi for my trip that I have planned there.

[Barney]

RSS staff are assigned to units by their Career Manager. So, the Infantry NCO Career Manager knows he has x number of RSS Sgt positions to fill across Canada, plus all the other holes to plug. Problems happen when there's more holes than people (as there always is now).

As for their (RSS) quality, it's anyone's guess. Some Reg units try to ditch their undesireables, and the Reserves are a fine dumping ground. Some RSS actually request Res unit postings, especially if it's near where they want to retire. And sometimes it's just their turn.

Their use depends on the unit, as you've seen. Sometimes CO's haven't got a clue what their day staff is doing, and so the day staff fornicates Fido all day long. Others make them work hard.

As for Nairobi, are you nuts? Want a list of all the nasties that will burrow into you? I'd avoid anything female - there's an 80% HIV infection rate in the prostitues. It's enough to make you want to be dipped in latex before you co.

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Death to the Purple One

[garett]

Don't worry I plan on wearing two pairs of pants at all times and my wallet in my underwear. I've got family that lives there. I didn't know the places he told me to go were whorehouses until I asked my cousin what they were a few weeks ago.