Northern Brothers?

[USMCSNIPERONE]

Where did all you Canadians go? Kinda miss
reading your posts. Last one was 6/28!

Semper Fi Sniperone

[apfsds]

Special Ops changed web servers. I just got an email from the administrators on 2 Aug notifying me. Most guys are probably away on course and don't know about the changes. I'm sure they'll all be back when they figure it out. Cheers.

[beachbaby]

Canada's having its summer - let them enjoy the sunshine while they can! http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/wink.gif

[garett]

I was on course from April 26th to August 9th. What a shitty summer, now I'm on my month long vacation going nuts because I'm not used to having nothing to do. If anyone has anything that has to be recced just send a Wng Order this way.

[Big_King]

I must be the only other person back from summer training. While I'm here I might as well rant a bit.

I finished QL3 as of August 3rd, followed by two weeks of supplementary training. If it wasn't bad enough that we had to go through the 15 day Superman QL2, they put us through a thoroghly gutted QL3. It's rather sad when QL2 was more mentally and physically demanding than my QL3. Ask me if I feel competently trained to perform as an infanteer? F*ck no.

I'm not blaming the staff nor the plt CO, they all had their hands tied with limited time (as is the way with reserves) and the base regulations restricting any PT or running (is this a new thing??) which was preposterous. Imagine how many shitbags managed to slip through the cracks with that little order! Personally I thought it would take me a while to become disillusioned with the military. F*ck no it didn't.

How do you think I felt when my platoon began to fight amongst itself, culminating in one of the troops stabbing and slashing the neck of another. Did I feel like I was part of a trained, disciplined, unit? f*cking hell no!

All in all though, I knew I would get out of the course what I put into it, so I challeneged myself whenever possible and stayed on the top few of the course (which was hardly as difficult as it should have been), and made sure our raids on the local bars went according to plan (read get women).

Anyways that's my take on summer training, I'm hoping that once we get back to our unit (the Princess Louise Fusiliers) the non-motivated will be sorted out, and I'm definatley looking forward to future training. Sorry for the rant, i had to get it off my chest.

[fish78]

our unit (the Princess Louise Fusiliers)

I wonder why we don't have great names like this for any of our US units?

[garett]

Troops have been bitching about Mo QL3 Inf quality for awhile now. I did my QL3 in Aldershot in 99. When I was there, there wasn't any no running policy but there was a no running in combat boots policy which was violated a few times but the base RSM doesn't really go to the field so its not like anyone was going to get caught making us run. I heard about the no running policy this summer in Aldershot. It looks like things have gone steadily down hill since the end on Tent City (no pun intended and you won't understand unless you've been to Aldershit). It looks like I'm going to be a platoon commander this year and I can't say I'm looking forward to going back to a unit where I'll have to lead new troops who don't have a clue what they're doing. I was told after my watered down QL3 that I'd have to learn a lot at my unit and on ARCON. Now the troops only get 4 weeks on Infantry training, you'd think that there's a war on or something.
Big King, you wanna give me an overview of what was covered in your 4 weeks of training and the 2 weeks supplement. I wanna try to strengthen what was taught and teach what wasn't taught to my troops throughout the training year. I think our upcoming patrolling EX is going to be a shock to the new troops....maybe the older troops too if I have anything to do with it. I'm guessing I won't much much of a role in anything.....just a figure head 2LT where they had to stick somewhere.
Now I'm going to go upstairs and tell my PLF friend about the guy that got stabbed in the neck.

PS. When you get to the PLF watch out for Cpl. Thorn, trouble tends to follow him around.

[Big_King]

First off, let me say after re-reading my post it looks like it comes off a bit more like bitching than anything else. I did not mean to reflect badly on the CF and especially the army at all. The reserves are prided on doing what they can with the limited amount of time and money available to them, and I believe we made due with what we had.

With that said, let me try and remember QL3 BEFORE those nights at "legends".

We went through all the neccessary weapons training (C9, M72, grenades, Carl G), although we never got to so much as see a C6, let alone fire it. (The RNBR troops might have had some time on it tho, I'm not sure).
We did the basics of patrolling (formations, actions on, fighting patrols, ambushes, raids, etc...) although with my luck I ended up in the ORV for every single fighting patrol.

About a week was devoted to fieldcraft and learning to dig defensive positions, operate out of a hide, etc, etc... The rest of the time was spent doing things like the obstacle course, rapelling, admin and drill.

Anyways, that's about all i can remember at this point. If I remember anything else I'll post it up.

------------------
Fideliter

[Infanteer]

Gotta love the Mo...
How's it going guys.
Garrett, were you on your Phase2 this summer?

[Cree Warrior]

Can someone explain to me the logic behind why we cant "run" in combat boots?
Is it because of increased risk of lower leg injury? Well have lower leg injuries gone down since running in boots has been banned? Ask any doctor, they will tell you no, its actually increased.
Is it more harmful to run in combat boots or to slam you foot onto concrete for every drill movement?
More weak leadership if you ask me, as soldiers we NEED to be able to run in combat boots to be effective, if a soldier can't they shouldnt be in the combat arms.

Sua Sponte

Garrett,
If you DONT PT you troops to their capacity, you are doing them a HUGE disservice and I feel we will be threatening their lives if they were to go to combat without at least a minimum level of fitness.

[garett]

Yeah I was on Phase 2 this summer....the last Phase 2 for the Mo and I'm on the Phase 3 next summer also the last for the Mo. But thats a whole other topic.

Cree- My unit doesn't seem to be too big on PT (other then the arm curls involved in smoking) but I haven't been able to figure out where the resistance is coming from. I've been in since Nov 98 and I've only really done PT with my unit on QL2 other then some sports. Since it looks like I'll be a Platoon Commander (if not maybe QL2 Course Officer) with only Phase 2 I don't know how much leverage I'll have but hopefully I can get some type of PT going every Thursday night even if its only for half an hour. I've spent countless hours sitting on a bench at work on Thursday nights bitching about sitting on a bench and getting paid for it. From my experience troops don't join to sit around and smoke but after a year of it you get lazy and forget why you joined and just show up for the pay. Anyway its late. If there are any spelling mistakes I don't care the Crocodile Hunter is on.

[DonK]

I think the logic that was used was flawed, when they banned running in combat boots, although I can see some truth in it.

I don't know about you, but I think Mark III's are pieces of s**t. They give rotten ankle support after they're broken in, and the sole is literally made out of hockey pucks!

I know way too many guys who are ex-Airborne, and Infantry who have totally crapped out feet from running in those pieces of issue garbage...and have the orthotics and pensions to prove it. When the new Cold/Wet Weather boot comes out this fall, and the Warm weather boot comes out early next year, maybe things will change back to the way they were.

If you want to run your guys into the ground road running, cool, just don't get caught. You'd be better off just running 'em ragged pepper potting, that'll get them used to running...

[garett]

Yeah Issue boots suck for sure. I wore my black jungle boots in the field after awhile this summer and the pain in my knee and groin went away. Pretty well all the RMC Stooges in my platoon had Vibram soles on their boots and a couple of troops had the new issue Wet/Cold Weather boots which they elected to wear instead of Cbt Boots. Alittle hot but more comfortable for sure. They're selling the new Wet/Cold Weather boots at the surplus store in Fredericton for like $200. They're made by H.H. Brown who owns Cove who makes Matterhorn. The troops that were using them (bought or issued) said that they were a hell of a lot better then the current boots. I've been considering buying a pair of boots to wear in the field but I find it hard to buy a $200+ pair of boots when the issue ones are coming into the system. As a compromise I got a pair of my boots resoled with Vibrams. Any opinions on what Vibram sole is better, the one with the heal or the one without?

[DonK]

Well, I just got my Mark III's resoled with the flat (no heel) Vibram sole, and the difference is amazing! Too bad they couldn't use it from the start. If there's a delay in the issue of the new boots, definitely get a chit to have all your III's resoled...with the chit, the Forces pay for the resoling, instead of you...costs less than special ordering Danners. Most supply sections have a local contract, which will take about two weeks to complete. You'll have to do a one for one exchange, and get new boots.

I haven't heard anything about the heel sole, and I don't know anyone who has them. I have been told the new boot does have the heel, although not as high as the Mark III. Guess we'll find out soon enough



[This message has been edited by DonK (edited 08-26-2001).]

[garett]

Yeah the heal on the new boots are small and gradual. The only difference between the sole on the new boot was that the Vibram logo was black not shoot-me yellow.

[Cree Warrior]

It will take a while to instill in your subordinates that if they have ANY free time they should be doing PT. It was just starting to sink into my platoon before I recently left. After you jack up the MCPL's a few time sfor not doing it they will start toeing the line. The troops for the most part, like getting smoked, especially if they see the leadership out there with them pushing themselves. Sure makes em feel like they worked for their money.
Rifle PT is probably the "safest" politically way to beast yourself and your guys. You can get a screaming workout in from only a C7 and some imagination!

Sua Sponte

[garett]

Ahhhhh yes...rifle PT, the most fun I had all summer. During our range week we did a few fun things like having to run everywhere with our rifles held above our head. We also did a range relay; break your platoon down into even teams, put each team onto a firing point, the first man has to run all the way down to the targets from the 400m then back, does 10 push ups then the next man can take off. Once all members of the team have ran to the targets, you start over again having to run to the 100m, then 200, then 300m which is that last mound to run to. Another relay we did was called the bank run. This was the idea of our kind Ex-Pathfinder Platoon, PPCLI Sgt. First off he started asking everyone if anyone had to make a bank run. Since we were sleeping at the range all week and had nothing to spend money on we all knew that it was BS. Well we found out that the bank run was another relay race. Our sections were broken down into 2 man teams. First off we had to pepper pot from the 400m to the 300m. The from 300m to 200m fireman's carry our partner. 200m to 100m switch around. 100m to 25m leopard crawl. Once we got to there we had to run around to the butts and run over top of the big ass bank at the back of the range... Not once not twice but thrice. Once that was over we had to run back to the 400m to get a strecher then back to the butts. Once we got back we had to carry a member of our section. We were lucky to have the fattest guy(Engineer) in the platoon in our section. So we had to carry him on the strecher all the way back to the range shack behing the 400m. I think I may have some fun with the Platoon on MLOC this year. We'll have to march to the range too if I have anything to do with it.

[Cree Warrior]

RIGHT ON!!
I'm taking notes.

Sua Sponte

[Marauder]

Well, Garett, I'm was confined to LFCA TC Hell, errrr, Meaford, so it's a diff AO, but if you're looking for a briefback.....

I was in a QL2/3 PL, so I was on course for 8 weeks. From my QL3 crse rpt, I was trained in the following: PO 401-C7;PO 402-C9; PO 404-M72; PO 407-Grenades; PO 409-Comms; PO 410-Physical Tasks; PO 411- Fieldcraft; PO 412- Offensive Ops; PO 413-Defensive Ops (f&^*in trenches);& PO 414-Patrols. I was not trained on the following: PO 403-C6/.50; PO 405-84mm Carl G; PO 406-60mm Mortar; PO 408-Mines & Pyro. So basically, they left it up to my unit (EKSCOTS: half the gear, twice the beer!) to teach my ass about PL level weps, in addition to NBC stuff (no gas hut during QL2) and the cool shit like rappeling (grand total of 3/4 rappel masters in my training coy who were too busy teaching fundamentals to their sections). Overall there were way too many students for too few instructors. My PL started off with almost 60 students with one PL cmdr (a kick-ass warrant from Reg RCR), one PL 2ic (some fucker of a Res SGT who forgot how to flick the switch from the "unrelenting prick" mode to good old "just plain asshole" mode), four MCPL sect cmdrs (one awesome Reg force guy, two pretty good Res guys, and an inept chick from the same regiment as the prick 2ic; guess who MY sect cmdr turns out to be) and two swing non-coms (both great guys to the ppl who could hack it, holy fuckin nightmare terrors to the non-hackers) Fortunately the other section cmdrs sorta took it upon themselves to ensure our section sorta knew WTF when our master coolie was nowhere to be found, which was 85% of the time. And no knock to you officers out there, but the ones I had to deal with had their craniums firmly implanted within their own colorectal passages when it came to working with us lower-than-whaleshit troopies. Unfortunately for us, they became slightly pissy when we didn't display JTF-2/ABN level aptitude of skills we were taught a little less than an hour before for the first time ever. So Garett, keep in mind that most of the troops really are trying their best, even when they fuck up relentlessly.
So, my favourite memories of this summer? Live firing the Charlie 7 and 9 (even though I was pissing myself at the time), pulling Alpha security with my section 2ic on the fighting patrols the PL did, sneakin' and peakin' during the recce patrols, and getting a 15 minute joy ride on a Griffin with some of the guys I made friends with during the summer from my PL. The lowlights? Having to prevent my self from killing some non-hacking, blade-sticking, cock sucking shithead from the PL every ten minutes, and leopard crawling about 300 meters through calf deep mud situated on top of hard gravel after four successive section attacks because the shitheads in my section couldn't wire their shit together for one fucking hour to pull off one decent section attack. God was I in full blown Scottish-temper-mode after that one LOL.
Which brings me to another point: there wasn't a lot of physical punishment handed out. They tried WAY harder to break us emotionally and mentally, like jerking us around with whether we got leave, or the one MCPL who never went anywhere without a VW memo template and a red pen and chit book and asked everyone every half hour on the half hour in garrison if we wanted to go home. And we were constantly reminded that we were fuck ups who were a disgrace to not only the uniform, but to the flag, the Queen, and the human race itself. You'll just have to be creative in how you try to break us troopies. Me, I could give a shit less. I promised myself that I was coming home with that stripe or in a pine box, and I only had to remind myself of that promise twice.
I would definetely do it again, all things considered. Firing the weps, sneakin and peakin, and meeting some of my fellow neophytes who had their shit together, all that shit made up for all the PL blades and all the bullshit from the staff.
So gentlemen, to sum it all up, I say "DUCIMUS"!

[King]

Marauder,

When did your course start?

[Marauder]

01 July 2001. A Canada Day I will NEVER forget. http://www.socnetcentral.com/ubboard/smile.gif
Why the need to know bro? You have a bud on course at LFCA TC Hell, errrrrrrr, Meaford this summer?

[garett]

Well I went into work tonight for the first time since Phase 2 to try and get some mod tents for UNB Orientation and somehow ended up getting tasked as Duty Officer for the 7th (big drink up) and Aid to our Hon. Col. for the 8th and 9th at our Regimental Reunion. He was a platoon commander in WWII and got wounded twice then went on to be Chief Justice of the NB Supreme court and Minister of Justice for NB. How did I get myself in so much trouble all in one night. This time last year I was a simple minded Private with not a care in the world. Anyone have any tips on bring an Aid? I guess the guy likes Scotch thats all I know.

Also it looks like I'm going to be assistant Platoon Commander to a female Midsip
(spelling?) Lt. I guess the job should go to the most qualified. I don't really give a shit as long as I get some good experience before Phase 3 since its the last one and obviously my only shot.

I don't care......as long as I get to shoot something this year...anything....it'll be ok.

[Infanteer]

Geez...my course only had four days of PT for the whole course...and that consisted of running laps around the fat asses who would fall out after 200 meters. We began to do our own PT runs after dinner and the rest of the platoon started to think me and my buddies were wierd. It was so wierd to look at my platoon standing next to a bunch of Greenjackets in the chowhall, I don't know how we would last...gotta love the Mo.

[Barney]

Garrett, have fun as the Aide. Follow the old guy around, always make sure they have a drink, food, smoke, whatever they want. Laugh at jokes, and most importantly since he's a vet, listen to every word he tells you. The last time I had vets out with my old unit (Church Pde), a 90 yr old guy who just had his hip replaced asked to march with his unit one last time before he died. We put him in with the youngest troops, and he made it all the way, it brought tears to some eyes......

Anyway, I was Aide for three visiting Polish Colonels (Log, Plastic Surgery, Epidemiology). I had to show them hospitals, the school in Borden.....Nothing to it, just have fun (I got to meet a little Polish vet who at Cassino, dismantled his 25 pdr and with his crew, hauled it to the top to put direct fire into the Abbey - his was the only gun to do that - talk about war stories).

Glad to hear people made it through courses, can't think of when I'll get my next one - Militia Command & Staff College - yikes.....

------------------
Death to the Purple One

[King]

Marauder,

Moving to Ottawa in a couple of days. Gonna join up once I get there. Just trying to have a bit of foresight. Thanks.

[enderr]

The guys who did their 3's this summer were beasted around the Mattawa by 1RCR instructors, and during their patrolling phase they had bags of Griffons[bastards!]. All in all, the cherries I talked to said it was a good course.

[Reverend B]

PT in boots? Ran away from some ugly chicks from the reserve once in my docs...is that worse than boots?

[Chucky]

Reverend B;

How was Wainwright for the SAIC Phase 3? Anything really change other than some condemed buildings and no Tent City this year?

I hear Gordo will be with the Dark Side this year!! But F. Tony got a 1 year extension so you still have him, unlucky.

I get to be CQ this year!!

Hang in there!

[Reverend B]

Arrrr....Chuck....you are right...hang in there....
Beer always helps...but the Westies will be seeing me before long.
Take 'er easy,
The Rev.

[archie]

Big King
Good to see some fusiliers out here. I transferred out to the regs about two months ago. Your QL3 sounds like a joke, even compared to mine. DId you have to do the 13km ruck? Were you in barracks? I only ask this because I was demo in aldershot last summer

fideliter

[This message has been edited by archie (edited 09-09-2001).]

[Big_King]

Hey archie,
There's another ex-fusiler on here from time to time, I'm not sure what happened to him tho. He went by the name Enfield.
MY QL3 didn't have the 13k ruckmarch, neither did my QL2. However, the platoon O liked to take the long way home during ruck marches if you know what I mean. What platoon were you attached to for demo??
We were in Barracks for the most part (no more tent city in aldershit). All in all it wasn't too bad, but I don't think now is the time for ranting. We should be thinking about those families across the border.

[This message has been edited by Big_King (edited 09-12-2001).]

[Enfield]

I'm still kicking around here...
Currently glued to CNN tho.
What year did you do QL3 Archie?

[apfsds]

This seems like as good a place as any for this. I'm sure all the Canadians on this forum will join in and offer our heartfelt condolences for our brothers and sisters to the south. Words cannot express the horror, anger and disbelief we feel. As a small touch of feelgood, I offer (with permission) a statement made on another forum by a friend of mine. Here goes:

"I think the time for political correctness has come and gone. Let's call it for what it
was. An act of war perpetrated by an enemy. This was to slick and organized to be
the work of anybody but military trained personnel. The US should declare war, on solid proof, giving them (and their allies) the authourity to blockade and invade where
needed, without the namby pamby politicos, including the self important, useless UN hierarchy being involved. Our side calls them terrorists and terrorist acts, they call
themselves soldiers at war. Using their own rules it's time to treat them, their bases
and allies as such. We should stand together and rid the globe of this garbage, once and for all."

-Recceguy-

[This message has been edited by apfsds (edited 09-12-2001).]

[King]

Some third world terrorist organization was able to find 4 pilots who were willing to give their lives, but for years Bill Clinton and his ilk said that America and western world in general couldn't stomach one of our own soldiers dead. Clinton fought his wars by dropping bombs in places like Kosovo in the middle of the night. Such a warmonger is not one to call these terrorists cowards. If they were it would be an easier war. What these people did was not cowardly. Insane, murderous, stupid, but not cowardly.

[Enfield]

I'll had my condolences to apfsds's post. Sept 11 was truly a day of infamy, and I believe that the world changed forever on that day. Rescuers have demonstrated what is the best in humanity, and nobody will ever be able to say enough of their efforts. The speed of the investigation to dae shows just what kind of a sleeping giant has been awoken - and this is only the beginning.

Happy Hunting.

On a Canadian note - 39th Bde actually set up a "special operations" centre in case of a mobilization order, and had vehicles moved away from it's building. ANd CF-18's were moved to Comox. A CBC reporter made a very astute observation - that if this happened up here, we don't atually have a place to send the PM or Ministers - no bunker, no Camp David, nothing.
certainly yesterdays events will result in a defense and intelligence upgrade down south, maybe we'll get some of that too?

Enfield
"May God have mercy...we won't"
-Sen. John McCain

[archie]

I did my QL3 in 99 Enfield.
Big King, last summer demo was'nt always attached to one platoon, I went out with the boys from 1 Newf for a while, then got to attack the medics and the truckers ( I captured their officer too). Just ask Cpl Burford about me, he can tell you some stories.

[garett]

I was 3 Platoon, 3 Section in Aldershit 99.
I'm still finding dust in my kit.