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Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks by 300k

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261–270 of 382 posts

Re: Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks by 300k

#261

How much useful combat skills can be taught in only a week? It seems like an extremely low estimate on the training needed to play a useful role in the military.

>How much useful combat skills can be taught in only a week?

You'd be surprised how even a small amount of training can make you deadly with a rifle. Combine that with actually having thrown a grenade, been given training in laying of mines etc.

Also, a huge chunk of "the military" is logistics -- the measure of a soldier is not always whether they can snipe someone from afar.

Re: Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks by 300k

#262

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean yeah we've famously even had full on invasion war plans drawn up in the past that leaked. Canada isn't going to do anything that changes the USA's ability to steam roll over the country.

Yep - the US is bad at fighting insurgencies, but a state military? Over in days. This does not materially change between Canada’s current military vs 5x their current military. But fighting pissed-off indigenous Canadians? I wouldn’t sign up for that part. None of this is relevant because the US does not want to own Canada.

> None of this is relevant because the US does not want to own Canada.

Why does your president keep saying the opposite?

Re: Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks by 300k

#263

How much useful combat skills can be taught in only a week? It seems like an extremely low estimate on the training needed to play a useful role in the military.

It is relative, depends on the "type of warfare" being fought, and the countries/economies involved.

In a high-tech modern warfare, the countries with a fighting force that has higher academic education, higher tech literacy are relatively quick to mobilize and become effective militarily.

Re: Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks by 300k

#264
post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The US invading Canada isn't a realistic possibility. Any attempt to do so would trigger a civil war within the US, to say nothing of obliterating the geopolitical system. Attempting to annex in any way shape or form is currently nothing more than the musings of an old man, the only way any territorial changes could happen are through peaceful, mutually agreed upon transfer. If the US were to seriously entertain the…

A external war that triggers a civil war would be a great way to cancel elections now wouldn’t it.

If you are in a civil war and a war with a foreign power at the same time, you're already suffering the worst possible consequences of cancelling elections.

Re: Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks by 300k

#265
post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The US invading Canada isn't a realistic possibility. Any attempt to do so would trigger a civil war within the US, to say nothing of obliterating the geopolitical system. Attempting to annex in any way shape or form is currently nothing more than the musings of an old man, the only way any territorial changes could happen are through peaceful, mutually agreed upon transfer. If the US were to seriously entertain the…

Yes but presumably other NATO members would counterattack, e.g. the UK has Trident missiles capable of significantly degrading the US. Modulo any kill switch those might contain.

Presumably they would do so anyways without Canada adding 300,000 reservists.

Re: Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks by 300k

#266

How much useful combat skills can be taught in only a week? It seems like an extremely low estimate on the training needed to play a useful role in the military.

shooting a rifle is "easy" to learn. That's why long guns are used. Hold+brace, point, aim reticle/scope, squeeze.

handguns are harder, since you can't brace the stock against your shoulder, but need to learn how to brace with your wrists and arms.

anti-tank weapons a bit harder still, since you need to maneuver properly and have multiple shooters at the same target. Also, I laugh/smirk everytime I see a movie where someone uses a LAW indoors or in an enclosed space/with someone standing behind.

(I'm ignoring grenades; suffice to say it's not as easy to pull the pin with your teeth as you think)

I think the hard part isn't the shooting, but the tactical movement side; L shape ambush or fire formation when under fire, or presence of mind to seek to leapfrog or flank, ability to communicate under pressure instead of just hunkering down or screaming your head off. It gets complicated very fast since there are vastly different tactics used in forest/vegetation versus urban warfare, and choosing the wrong tactic will get you shot fast (think chess openings; choose the wrong one and unless you are an expert - which you will not be with 1 week of training, you will get mated fast).

Re: Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks by 300k

#267

This reminds me of the movie 300 where an army shows up with potters and other tradesmen, while the army of Sparta were all soldiers. Opinion: as an expat, I'm not sure who would join the CAF nowadays. Not much to be proud of in my opinion. Without exaggerating, not a single person I grew up with is doing well, and I had to leave Canada to start my family.

> not a single person I grew up with is doing well

What is happening in Canada to cause this?

Re: Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks by 300k

#268

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No you have a duty and obligation to the society that raised you.

abs(ofuckinglutely) you do not.

People wonder why north america has gone to shit and this is it right here.

Re: Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks by 300k

#269

This reminds me of the movie 300 where an army shows up with potters and other tradesmen, while the army of Sparta were all soldiers. Opinion: as an expat, I'm not sure who would join the CAF nowadays. Not much to be proud of in my opinion. Without exaggerating, not a single person I grew up with is doing well, and I had to leave Canada to start my family.

> as an expat

How can we know that you arent a russian propaganda account, who created a legend that you live outside of Canada, when in reality you never lived there and your lies that "Canada military bad" are just written from Moscow?

Re: Canadian military will rely on public servants to boost its ranks by 300k

#270

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean yeah we've famously even had full on invasion war plans drawn up in the past that leaked. Canada isn't going to do anything that changes the USA's ability to steam roll over the country.

Yep - the US is bad at fighting insurgencies, but a state military? Over in days. This does not materially change between Canada’s current military vs 5x their current military. But fighting pissed-off indigenous Canadians? I wouldn’t sign up for that part. None of this is relevant because the US does not want to own Canada.

I don’t know why you would think the US military would succeed this time when the last time it was successful in a large scale war was 80 years ago.
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