Ask An Operator: Current State of Canadian Armed Forces/CANSOF

www.directacti...
/ directactions
/ direct_action_combat
An often-asked question we get is 'How do you feel about the current state of CAF', here is a pretty in-depth answer from Randy on how he feels. We have received some follow-ups, please feel free to let us know if you have any in the comments below, and we'll do our best to address them next time we film!

[@w.s.2102]

Low pay, low moral, weak leadership, poor equipment, and if you get wounded during war, you'll discarded by your government and left for dead.... signed a Canadian Afghan Vet

[@puenoune9316]

Yeah, its all made up injuries unless you lose a leg to an IED... and even then.

[@LG2TK]

What happened dude?

[@coldc7]

Pretty well put.... That was true with the first guys coming back from Yugo as well I remember as I was just getting out. Stay strong.

[@jean-micheltanguay8664]

Just over 20 years and I can attest to all, especially the discarding A fellow afghan war vet

[@1anre]

The veterans affairs is that bad ?

[@deanwiley1454]

I agree that the CAF is underfunded as can be evidenced that when I was in the Reserves, for a country in the Great White North, we were not issued Parkas as part of our kit; these were only signed out on weekend exercises. Also HR needs to get their act together. As a trained and certified Medical Laboratory Technologist it took the CFMS four years to evaluate my qualifications for an open position. They would have sent QL4 trained personnel to a civilian college to get trained as an MLT and I was already trained. Years later the CAF advertised a position for an MLT with a $10k signing bonus. When I applied I was told there was no such position, even though it was in an advertisement and on their website.

[@bushnut8305]

You were probably the wrong colour, or not diverse enough.

[@deanwiley1454]

There was nothing to indicate my nationality and I had already served for eight years. Just a typical bureaucracy left hand doesn’t know what the right hand was doing. As far as diversity I am a white university educated male which in some areas where I lived I was the minority.

[@superdupermax]

Seriously? Joined res in 05 (exit in 12) and i got all the brand new gucci cadpat kit within first 2 years. Had the od snow gear at first... and this is on the Wet coast 😂

[@AlexanderEddy]

I applied to the CAF during COVID, after losing my job as an aircraft maintenance engineer in avionics. I applied to do the same thing I did in the civilian world - fix airplanes. I was qualified to do that job. I wrote the CFAT and reviewed my score with the recruiter. She said my score was great and any job was open to me. She asked me what I wanted to do. I told her I wanted to fix airplanes. She said "great, we'll call you soon." Months passed and no call. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I suspect I didn't help meet their demographic targets. I think the recruiting problem is at least in part because of stories like mine.

[@claw0461]

Call your recruiter, I know multiple people that had to call there recruiters to keep there process rolling.

[@leagueaccount6254]

bruh it takes people 2 years sometimes lol

[@AlexanderEddy]

​@@leagueaccount6254It's been 3 years now and I'm almost done my law degree, they missed their chance to recruit me.

[@IloveTide1997]

Wouldnt be surprised. Anti-White discrimination is rampant in our society

[@shaetteb1272]

​@@leagueaccount6254yeah but when I say I'm Asian they call me back same day to rush me through the process

[@ChrisRaynorMD]

Well said Randy. Great to hear your perspective. Just got back from ATLS in Borden and from the discussions I had there, things are gonna get worse before they get better.

[@Taylod1]

I am so sick and tired of governments underfunding the military, This has gone on for decades Thank you for your service.

[@greenthunder1000]

Industrial militaries have always been paid poorly.

[@AWestcoastWanderer]

I agree with everything you said, and it's great to hear it from someone who has actually dedicated their life to the CF. I'm 31 and I tied steel for 13 years, started a business and tried that for a while. Just got caught up working with my head down and paying bills. It took me a long time to realize money will never fill my cup, I need to do something much bigger than myself. My great uncle William McTavish fought in Vietnam and thankfully came home, my dad served in the Navy for years until I was born. I'm a highly motivated individual as you would say, and currently enlisting as infantry, just waiting on my transcript in the mail. Since I was a little kid I've always wanted to be infantry, but when I learned about jtf2 I was immediately hooked on the idea of being the absolute best and working with the best. The best part is nobody in my life is really questioning it either, they're like yeah I can totally see that, that's fucking awesome, you should definitely do it, etc.. So it's been great having that support. I'm extremely pumped to get this chapter of my life underway and I look forward to the challenge and to become the absolute best version of myself that I can be.

[@danielwarwick8086]

Good luck my friend.

[@OrangeSolaire]

Stats for March 2023: all-cause releases stood at around 1200, and total intake into BMQ was around 97. The bathtub is draining rapidly, and the faucet is barely running, and the plug is not doing its job.

[@DR-fc1ey]

Lmao I was one of those 97 and out of them only 59 graduated from.their March enrollment. We loose about 35 to 40%% of those people in basic

[@OrangeSolaire]

The numbers are simply unsustainable.

[@00010_]

Definitely agree, currently a Reserve Infanteer, am enjoying it mostly but wish to get out for the aforementioned reasons. Am willing to stick it through to see the changes if they do come, good or bad.

[@1anre]

How long have you been in,and how do you combine that with your 9-5 full-time job?

[@Pinger932]

This has been the same story for decades. Thank you for keeping it real.

[@laugustyn]

The recruiting process could def use some improvement as well as making good on their promises. I applied to the new NEP back in March and was told it was a 21 day enrolment and still currently waiting. I’m excited to join but housing also worries me. Pay doesn’t necessarily worry me, mostly it’s the housing. On the flip side, I’m stoked for all the opportunities for deployment and chance to do work that has impact

[@superdrew8564]

LOL at deployment opportunities

[@DR-fc1ey]

​@superdrew8564 bruh, I enrolled in March 2023 and already slated for a 6 month 2024 deployment as part of OP REASSURANCE as a Sapper, deployments happen

[@DR-fc1ey]

The housing is fine. Either you get sent to the shacks which is like 100$ a month or you get a PMQ which is like 950$ a month for a 3 bedroom place on average. If you live off-base you get a rent allowance of 800$ a Month as a new private. That's the least of your worries.

[@laugustyn]

@@DR-fc1ey tbh that’s one of my biggest concerns, the housing

[@1FrenchConnection1]

CLD tier 2 over here! You have nailed it! The purpose have to come from the members. I strongly agree with your statement. Frictions sometimes the ego come in play! Deep sea!

[@itsShiftyYT]

As a Class C Reservist, it has become beyond an annoyance to stay employed within the CAF. Leadership act as if this is the US Army, and we have zero issues whatsoever. If you are a RESERVIST with a CIVILIAN CAREER, you are PUNISHED FOR IT. I have been in over 5 years as an artilleryman, and because my employer denied me time off in less than a weeks notice for over three months of time off, they have effectively blacklisted me from courses for the entirety of my career. All because I put my foot down to their lack of effort in scheduling. It is a lost battle. Not an uphill, or a lasting battle. It was lost a long time ago. Civilians look to arm themselves and coordinate with each other, rather than suffer the embarrassment that is the current state of the CAF.

[@vovin8132]

Honestly that's the way to go. You can't trust Ottawa or anyone who works for them. Your community is all you got, and that is why they are trying to systematically destroy our communities.

[@patrik5428]

Understaff, underequip, underpay. Whoever is thinking of joining if this is not ur absolute passion, dont do it

[@jean-micheltanguay8664]

It was my passion and it slowly vanished

[@patrik5428]

@@jean-micheltanguay8664 im still serving, i like my trade and buddies, wish government would give 2 fuck about as

[@robinkaushal4666]

Yeah, literally was my dream and wanted to go special ops. Got older and my dream vanished when i realized nobody gives af an im not dying for stupid leaders

[@randywright1922]

Yet we have 129 generals

[@Jamouse200]

Anyone in the military can track the level of manning of units, trades and so on. It’s a bit hidden in monitor mass, but it’s there. However, the “required number of manning” is slowly lowered every year to make things look not too bad.

[@TheMapleKitKat]

As someone who's in the process of joining the CAF (have my interview and medical assessment today) and wants to get into our SOF component at some point, I love getting this kind of insight as to how things are and what I'm getting into.

[@tysonbarrett6496]

Don’t, the CAF is a joke. And Trudeau is cutting a million dollars of funding to an already lacking army. Still using GPMG from the late 90s.

[@leagueaccount6254]

from what i hear, dont tell the regiment that you are part of what your plans are until you are ready to do it. People have this idea that their being used " as a stepping stone" and they will make your life hell

[@lucaschudleigh7193]

You’re getting into a woke, undertrained joke of a “fighting” force that will have you expertly trained on pronouns. It’s a stampede to get out and guys like you are like “can’t wait to get in and be part of something great!” 🤦‍♂️

[@1anre]

​@leagueaccount6254 why the pettiness

[@W1LLi4m_]

I would think twice before going down that path. The CAF is not what it used to be, and is now deeply morally corrupt. Here’s an extract from a great podcast episode with a former JTF2 operator recounting his experience with extremist elements in the CAF. The CAF tried to censor and even sue the podcaster over this episode. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH22aGSMjal_msUsi=Z6aN5Wy8Fcu8jbFE

[@nike3000ca]

More deployments, outcan postings and access to courses. (IE: Basic Para) would help make it more attractive.

[@Offthegridtech]

Randy says "Under manned across the board". More deployments and courses for an under manned unit means more time away from families and a decrease in life / work balance and satisfaction. Basic Para is not a good example due to its high injury rate, which can contribute to manning discrepancies. Plus you need a fair amount of people to run those courses which takes away from the pool of healthy individuals capable of deploying. Sorry man, I just don't think any of those are solutions to the problem.

[@nike3000ca]

@Offthegridtech I don't disagree with anything you're saying. In fact I agree we need far more people. However, lack of cool courses and deployment opportunities add to why we aren't retaining people.

[@Offthegridtech]

@@nike3000ca The focus of recruitment for the CAF should go beyond just the appeal of various courses.

[@sirwallaceclaymore2106]

There no lack of deployment opportunities. Especially for reservists. I can sign up for deployment tomorrow. There isn’t “combat deployments” but there isn’t any war going on right now. Can’t be picky.

[@shaetteb1272]

​@@sirwallaceclaymore2106there are at least 3 dumb@$$ Myanmar, Ukraine, Israel plus more. Unfortunately we live in a milquetoast appeaser country that would rather bend over backwards and take it down the throat from foreign dictators.

[@cory2146]

I'm not fighting for a country that hates me.

[@butwhytharum]

do you even live here?

[@Canada-_]

As someone who's currently going through the recruitment process rn, I can honestly say its not the greatest experience. I was going to school to be a helicopter pilot but ran out of funding so I made the logical choice to go down the military path because I've always felt the need to serve my country yet getting into positions like tactical aviation is apparently SUPER completive wrote the CFAT and aced it and qualified for CEOTP yet the recruiter said it wasn't completive enough which I guess is far, then went to medical and since I was taking Vyvanse for only a week (also clear by my doctor) for undiagnosed ADD or ADHD it pushed my application back 6 months. I just don't understand the reasoning for pushing away or delaying applications for HIGHLY motivated individuals that are willing to sign 15-20yr contracts. Its super frustrating because all I want to do in life is fly helicopters and serve my country yet it feels like my country doesn't want the same. But no matter how much I hate this process I will soldier on I have a goal and will see it through no matter how long it takes. Also thankyou for spreading awareness/promoting the CAF because the CAF is terrible at media especially when it comes to CANSOF hopefully in a couple years I can be on my way to 427 SOAS transporting and supporting you bois into hell and back.

[@MrRyushinn]

bro at least you can still go. I got DQed because of a mild peanut allergy.

[@1anre]

You hit the nail on the head. I also think the reserves aren't being fully utilized. Most folks might not dig a full-time military career but won't mind the occasional dabble in military stuff, but the current proposition of what the reserves offer even to permanent residents that have been allowed to also now join due to shortage of men, isn't made to be enticing or attractive

[@bradmettler4566]

Look on the brightside, if you want to switch genders they will help you out 😂

[@breezyflow1]

I will say a lot of the reservists in my BMQ at this moment are highly motivated.

[@mikefawkes5195]

during the Vietnam war between 20 and 40,000 Canadians volunteered to go fight in that conflict ,to fight for what is right and good I assume . it shows we have the best when its needed ,and our people need to be treated with the utmost respect and that is not only higher pay but more equipment and recruiting and top training and the people will respond in kind ...top respect for our Vets

[@Project_Future]

As someone who just got out of the infantry after 10 years I just have to vent in the comments. The CAF is falling apart from the ground up and from the up down. On the ground level, we are hiring VERY unqualified people for any job in the military. I was a Sargent before I left and as such I was an instructor from time to time and had access to autobiography's before even seeing the would be troops. Diagnosed mental illness such as autism, OCD and others being let in (should be a sign right there). Obesity. Straight up too many fat people. Not fat as in you need your uniform taken out a bit, im talking so fat you need maternity clothes as a male (not a joke, have seen that many times all over the country). Being punished for being fit. I have personally been SMOKED multiple times for doing PT outside of the "prescribed PT times" as a Mcpl!! Thats right, I have had Sgt Maj dress me down on the parade square for doing pushups before chow. I was never more confused in my military career and thats says a lot haha. PT and fitness in general may be spoken about a lot across the forces but I know for a fact they make it very hard to BE fit if you dont follow the army way of doing it. KIT. As a single solider I will only use examples I have seen in person and avoid all rumor mill stories. I have had "brand new" sealed weapons parts from China (yes, manufactured by an adversary) that failed on the first use, and 20 others in my platoon had the same issue on the same day... I have had trucks of all sizes break down in the field, as they may from time to time, but have almost NEVER had support from vehicle techs to fix the issue and if it wasnt for one of my dudes being a deiseal mechanic in his off time, we may have lost an entire platoon to cold injury. I have had normal supply runs, approved through the CoC to the top, for a simple water buffalo, be so botched that I almost had troops dying of heat stroke in fucking Wainwright AB of all places. I have had medical emergencies on base (I am also a paramedic outside of the military) and when I ask to be brought the first aid kit and AED, I am brought an empty box for the first aid kit and am told that ALL AED on base have been taken out for "maintenance'. This is against the law first of all and second of all, it almost led to the troops death as he had a condition that would require defibrillation eventually. It took 35 minutes for BASE MEDICS to show up with some equipment. I was forced to watch this troop die in front of me for 30 minutes, ready to start CPR at any moment, because the base could not function. A base in Canada could not function. A base in Canada was not able to supply fucking water or AED's to troops. I completely understand any of those things not being available during wartime in country, but I was shocked and disgusted by just how far we have fallen. I have many many more examples and havent even touched on the moral of troops or poor leadership at all levels. Someone let me know if you want to read another rant.

[@vovin8132]

I'm well versed in the failure of bureaucracy and I've met many top politicians in this shithole country. All I can say is that anybody serious about national defense needs to learn that your community is all you got and you can't rely on Ottawa to protect it, because they are the ones selling us all out. The CF they are building now is a CF that will be filled with immigrants in our uniforms kicking our doors down.

[@227MacWC]

I’ll speak for someone who is young, was in the process of joining. Vaccine mandate turned me away, and politics within this country. Most young folks are disenfranchised by the government, state of the country. Why is it work fighting for? All of my friends would never dream of joining and fighting and risking our lives but why would we do it for a PM who doesn’t care and for a country that is destroyed in comparison to what it was when I grew up. Fix the country and I’d reconsider.

[@Noodles-The-Hunter-Vanguard]

So you decided to not defend your country cuz you didn’t want to be vaccinated. Tells me you aren’t very Patriotic.

[@fromontario6954]

That’s one of the biggest reasons it’s lost so many and continues to loose people. They almost lost me but I had nothing to fall back on and fam to feed. I was once proud, now it’s just a job.

[@lauriea2971]

First thing is Tysvm for ur service in the CF. I agree with u on all the points u made. I’m a medically retired soldier from the reserves. We r the best trained force in the world. The federal government needs to get their heads out of the butts and start supporting our military and it downsizing it. The military is not a Big Mac meal from McDonald’s. Plus the general public needs to got involved and start supporting the mi more then they do and stop seeing all 5e worst in the CF. Tysvm for ur channel. God bless u and all ur brothers/ sisters in the CF. Have a safe and happy holidays this season. Merry Xmas

[@jameslee9194]

Very well put, great to see you again.

[@EDX2308]

There are massive problems with the Canadian military. First is I heard from a close friend that he heard from someone that just retired from the CAF that these new kids are too lazy to even wake up on time for training. The other thing I heard from another friend of a friend was how our close friend that I know (yea I know this is sounding weird) that he served in the Bosnian war, got his promotions and ranks only to be bossed around by those back home after the war who outranked him without ever seeing combat. Currently as it stands the reluctance to serve is due to identity politics and a prime minister who cheered on a Nazi. I wouldn't die for that guy I'll tell you that much.

[@iaingrieve9598]

Evidently you never served so maybe you should be quiet about the new kids. I can't speak for the most recent recruits but i would say the main problem lies in what is said in the video about having no purpose and nothing to get behind

[@EDX2308]

@@iaingrieve9598 Be quiet? You and I pay taxes and I am only reporting on what I have heard.

[@iaingrieve9598]

@@EDX2308 maybe 3rd hand info isn't something you should base assumptions about a group of young people on

[@alexparada607]

@@iaingrieve9598hey, evidently you neither, as you wouldn’t speak like that. Show some respect, the man didn’t say anything out of the ordinary nor wrong. It’s not just what it’s in the video, there are lots of other factors that even people like him are very carefully choosing words just to don’t get in trouble.

[@iaingrieve9598]

@@alexparada607 I have, and I don't think there is anything wrong with what I said. I do take issue with someone without first hand knowledge judging my peers tho.

[@jean-micheltanguay8664]

Years of career orientated "leaders" taking career orientated decisions, this is what is going on. It started when we pulled out of Kandahar and its been going the same way since. I saw an LSVW with a "student driver" sign on it last week… and they did it again with the TAPV…

[@Albus_Rex]

I remember trying to join 6-7 years ago. Passed all the tests but was medically disqualified for a birth defect. I used to be upset about it, but I ended up getting a different federal job and doing alright. I think about it when I see videos like this, and I'm kind of glad I won't have to face down a chicom tank column/human wave whilst underequipped.

[@rmack9226]

You never would have had to face a chicom tank.

[@vovin8132]

I tried for years to get into the CF. I jumped through all their hoops, even got a degree since they demanded it. They treated me like trash in recruitment, completely screwed all my paperwork up, insisted that I "fluked" out on the IQ testing by scoring high (but absolutely refused to let me retake it years later). I remember the first time around I signed up for army and they got mad when I refused to sign a contract for navy sonar technician (because some bimbo naval officer got me mixed up with someone else in the office). Anyway, it all finally ended when I finally got my interview with an officer to discuss the actual job I was ready for and she spent an hour screaming at me like a lunatic. She said she was going to call her friends at the RCMP to essentially see what gossip/non-conviction records they would pass on to her so I just got up and left. Now I'm sure that smug captain probably got replaced by some guy in a dress, and I am glad I never got into that cesspool. Since then I've encountered the CF in person showing up during natural disasters and shoving Canadians around like we are enemy combatants, and I'm glad I never got far with those clowns.

[@user-ow7cz3ne5k]

You should try to get on the Shawn Ryan Show!

[@rylanmayea55]

Who would want to serve under Trudeau?

[@Noodles-The-Hunter-Vanguard]

People in the CAF don’t serve for Trudeau, they serve for the greater good of the world.

[@Sprack]

Well said. And to think the govt announced a 1billion reduction in 5 years. Maybe have a sub committee to oversee the military separate from any government. That way everything keeps moving forward.

[@RahimLadhajuma]

Great content! 🤙🏼🪖🇨🇦👌🏼

[@aaronfilipowich3877]

The CF has a staggering lack of advertising from what I see out in Saskatchewan. There's a large pool of individuals who try for the police either local or RCMP that could be redirected towards the CF. Police forces have to narrow down their choice to the couple of open positions and discard numerous perfectly capable individuals each hiring opportunity. If there was cooperation with police forces to help direct the passed over applicants towards the CF half the recruitment process would be done already. As for the lack of advertising, I tell most younger generations they'd be better off joining the CF and getting paid to train in a field of work then to pay to learn at a trade school, college or university. But there needs to be more active recruitment, where I live I maybe see the recruiters out in public once or twice a year around Regina. Back when I was in high school (1999) we had recruiters show up at the school in our hamlet to talk to us. I can't say I ever really even see an ad for the CF on social media unless its a specific CF related channel/youtuber. I'm not sure if it's the algorithms downplaying military posts/ads or just lack of it. I'm sure if most high schools were polled most wouldn't even know the available benefits of joining let alone we have SOF units.

[@Jeffplsgo]

Your average cop doesn’t want to join the military. 2 very different jobs.

[@aaronfilipowich3877]

@DTmike827 that would be why I suggested trying recruiting the 5-10 who don't make it past the last stage to get the 2-3 jobs available. I didn't suggest trying to poach working police officers. I know full well the differences in the two occupations, I have CF and a Criminal Justice: Policing college course under my belt. Side note; military police are a thing and that experience can accelerate being hired for a civilian police force whenever you get out.

[@dillonl6324]

Brilliant.

[@coldc7]

Problem is, police can't get enough qualified applicants. They are forced to take substandard applicants already. The people they are rejecting are just south of retarded. Also..... Cops don't go to the military.....military go to the police. Staggeringly better pay, better benefits, better pension, far better family life. People wanting, police or Fire careers ...don't want regular force lives.

[@dotover9013]

The military sucks for westerners…be careful. Especially for senior nco’s and officers…if you aren’t fluently bilingual, your career is fucked.

[@1982mikedn]

This video is spot on, in order to reinvigorate the CAF, what is needed is the right combination of political will, proper equipment and proper tasking. Without those things, why would anyone ever want to sign up? Name any profession in the world, how many people would sign up to do any job that involves training on 40 year old equipment without much if any opportunity to apply their skills in the real world. No IT person would work for a company who gave them a Commodore 64 to play with, without any other assignment other than to just kill time.

[@dotover9013]

JTF2 is pathetic lol… JTF2 Operator: ‘I am underwater, counter-terrorism, sniper, trained in hostage rescue through biological agents’. Government: ‘great! Now go stand over there near Justin and guard him while he’s buying rubber ducky socks. A an overweight, middle-aged truck driver from Saskatchewan might try and say mean words to him’.

[@karlawson]

JTF2 aren't on the the PM's security detail.. that's a different group.

[@vovin8132]

@@karlawson Wrong, JTF-2 absolutely does security for the prime minister, especially in foreign countries. I'm not necessarily talking about the suits standing beside him either.

[@thenoblenemesis9758]

Covered it all. Very well said. Thank you.

[@lucaschudleigh7193]

He covered absolutely nothing and avoided saying anything that might offend. Check out Shawn Ryan if you want to see what an ex-jtf2 with balls has to say about the unit and the Canadian militaries issues.

[@thenoblenemesis9758]

@@lucaschudleigh7193 I’ve watched the interview, valid points were made there too. I’m all too aware of the issues. They have a direct impact on me personally. Sure he didn’t do a deep dive into specifics but he covered the basics of where a lot of our issues come from.

[@landon6327]

Pay is huge, I decided to serve with another Canadian government agency due to the surprisingly low pay. the risk and demand of a life in the military is hard enough on families without financial struggles.

[@zacharylum1158]

Would you say the pay is bad for a single 18 year old fresh out of high school?

[@landon6327]

@@zacharylum1158 I would tell you you can make a hell of a lot more even in government positions while taking a hell of a lot less risk to your mind and body. Not to mention it is a career and over the course of a career your home life will change quite a lot, as will your age. I am not saying don’t serve I am just saying they need to better compensate our service members better due to the risks they take and sacrifices they are required to make.

[@4xhoser]

Very interesting thanks for the video 🤘🇨🇦

[@ZacShortis]

While I agree with nearly everything, we need to remember why we do this job. We are here to create the safest world for Canadians and uphold universal values. The optimal state of affairs in the world would have us training and ready, but doing absolutely nothing. That is the goal. There will be some play between action and inaction affected by the inclinations of our government, but do not confuse a period of relative peace for the CAF as a negative thing. Bloodlust is not a positive trait, even among our SOF community. Be measured and intentional. Above all, be ready and willing, but don’t be disappointed if you aren’t needed.

[@nathanshort6956]

As someone that was Navy Reservist from 92-97. My trade was Port Inspection Diver(limpet mine disposal was out main focus but we did searches and ship husbandry). I went through bootcamp(just like reg forces) in Cornwallis, NS in 92 and did my dive course at Fleet Dive Unit Pacific in 1993 that had reg force guys on it as well. The reason I bring that up because this is the period of our military when total force concept was designed that reserves and regular force would work more hand-in-hand. So the reg force Navy NCO's would calls us shads(a shad is a useless fish at least that's what they would say). Our government liberal and conservative have shitting on our forces for years(starting after WWII). I travel between Saint John and Fredericton, NB and stop in on base CFB Gagetown every once and awhile and it is depressing. First thing first I can just drive on base without showing ID. The buildings are ran down, we have no equipment and we have slobby and out of shape looking personal in our military. These are the same guys that are going to liquor and cannabis store in their uniforms. We spend no money at all on our forces. When I was diving we didn't have pressure gauges on my tanks. We would run out of air doing a job and didn't realize we popped our reserve. Not a big deal but totally stupid we didn't have this gear. When politicians step in and disbanded our Airborne I knew that our forces are only going one way. You can't put people on a piece keeping mission when their motto is "first in last out". These guys are trained killers and this is what you are going to them. When I was in they wanted females and french to be promoted. You can not run any type of VOLUNTEER organization like that. You may not have the best females or french joining. We need to let the real military officers run the forces. We are now worried about pronouns and what people fuck. NATO nations have become to reliant on the USA for defence and it reflected on how many budget cuts have come from our politicians. We need to let soldiers be soldiers and give them what they need to do their job properly. We would not have a problem of getting people to join if they knew they had a focus and purpose of joining the forces. I don't know where I'm going with this rant but is shame what happened to one of the most dedicated NCO forces in the world. We were always welcomed by other nations but now we can't even outfit our people properly. Great video's and thank you for your service.

[@karlawson]

Well said. My good friend is primary reserve and says that there is no uniformity in his unit.. his peers can have any sort of hairstyle or facial hair style and the physical fitness level is poor. I was at his unit for an event with him and for some reason we did some chin-ups on the bars.. sad display.. only two soldiers could even do four.. I know it's not a super fair scenario but it really made me look around and see that there were overweight and unmotivated people in leadership roles- maybe not great role models. Just makes me disappointed as I've always had quite the high respect for the CAF.

[@paulday-lh5mx]

You only have to look to the Politicians for the demise of the Canadian Armed Forces, and week leadership within. Why would anybody want to join?

[@gavinchurch6109]

My father and mother both served in Canadian Army during ww2 both said if they knew then what they knew today they never would have went they both said that the government has this country so screwed up that the Indians wouldn’t take it back as f ckin gift

[@jeffrutledge5320]

Does JTF2 also cover water operations equivalent to the USA’s DevGru (Seal Team 6) or Britain’s SBS (Special Boat Service). Does JTF2 have similar rigorous combat dive training and operational capabilities as they do?

[@davidedwards3838]

Jtf2 are rated tier one by the US. So yes the recruiting and training process is similar. And yes it covers water too.

[@superdrew8564]

Our military is not as big as either of those countries so we can have special units for certain terrain. But yes they have pers to handle water born interdiction

[@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69]

​@davidedwards3838 tier ratings aren't about quality or skill. They're funding tiers. We (the US) don't rate anyone but our own, because we're not responsible for anyone but our own. I'm not sure where you heard that we rated JTG-2 Tier 1, but we didn't.

[@davidedwards3838]

@@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69 you ste 100% wrong. The US rates jtf2 tier.

[@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69]

@@davidedwards3838 if I'm 100% wrong, surely you can provide an official US Military source rating JTF-2 as Tier I. Seeing as how the tier ranking is based on funding, and is explicitly a US military thing, I'm hard pressed to believe the US Military has rated JTF-2 as Tier anything, since that would require the US to have access to the amount of funding JTF-2 recieves. 🤨

[@coldc7]

I did 5 total, Infanteer /medic in the early early 90s. The Canadian Military was exceptionally retarded then. I did 20 in metro policing in tactical and k9.....it was also with its fair share of dissatisfaction. I met Jtf2 in the early 2000s, and the guys I met seemed switched on and decent. CSOR and JTF2 would probably would have been a good way to go, IF you could succeed in selection.

[@1anre]

Why didn't you try out for both of them

[@coldc7]

I did. My hips are deformed enough that I cannot run faster than a 7 min mile pace no matter what. (I actually had both replaced by 40) I could ruck, or run distance with weight very decent , but the guys were very up front with me, you need sub 6 minute ability to be competitive. Running excellence is a must. My buddy was a great runner and passed selection twice.... and turned it down twice lol. Cest la vie.

[@1anre]

@@coldc7 understood. Your buddy must've had his reasons. But it would've really rocked to have a friend who passed selection and then joined CSOR or CJIRU, you know?

[@coldc7]

@@1anre yep, I'd have continued if I was him, but he told me he wanted to start a family, had just gotten married, and had the opportunity to join a great civilian career. It was a fact back then that you're going to be away half the year in jtf2.

[@1anre]

@@coldc7 jeez. Half a year away for JTF2 work will mess wigh stability of a new married man. I wonder why men can't truly have it all. Be at the peak of the military, have a family, have God by your side, and feel fulfilled. You have to pick one or the other

[@MrDecelles]

If we want a small army, we want the best small army. Decision needs to be fast.

[@patpat5296]

Current mood: what's your pronouns?

[@MegaCalum11]

Receive plenty of DEI and ethics training and reports on our work toward eliminating sexual misconduct. Havent went to the range or conducted trade specific training in awhile nor received any updates on CAF stance/status while two wars rage. Yuri Bezmenov can explain our situation and hes been dead for years.

[@nicholashanson837]

Damn I love Randy.

[@rmack9226]

When's the last time the CAF "protected" Canadians?

[@Ricky-qt4hz]

great video

[@kieldrake1535]

No mention of the woke crowd. That’s a big deterrent to going in the military and serving. That you might have to be around these idiots, who are into sharing their pronouns and other irrelevant things about their lives.

[@crush42mash6]

Actually heard Canadian pay is like the third highest in the world is that correct? I’ve heard the equipment is excellent, but they need more of it, J2 is respected around the world as one of the best elite forces, I have friends that I’ve served, and if I didn’t go in my profession, I went into I would most likely join the forces as my father did

[@stevieRay3211]

Just wear a dress when you visit the recruitment office and you'll be fast-tracked to a generalship.

[@falconeaterf15]

Well said.

[@functionalfitness1013]

Nailed it.

[@djmedication]

I heard there are 10K lack of workers in the armed forces. However, I also heard there are 10,000 applicants per year. What's up with that? I applied but am unsure of my chances of getting recruited now. Also I have no references that meet their specific requirements for references.

[@SpruceMoose-iv8un]

Recruiting process needs to be reformed and recruiters need to go out and get people like they do in the U.S.

[@mattwong7191]

Great video and great answers to a tough question. I appreciate Randy's thoughtful and downright diplomatic answers. Canada has great people in the services but I do feel they've been let down by successive governments and especially with what seems (to a regular civilian guy like me) like an absolutely insane procurement process. Not just for things like jets and ships but basic stuff like service pistols! But one thing I do want to challenge a bit is the idea of "putting bad guys in graves." I know that the Canadian special operations community is fully capable of doing this and very good at it too. But I think it's not just a political will thing, it's who we are as a country. Canada's foreign policy has always been one of diplomacy and making peace, unless called to war with our allies (except Iraq 2003 which was the right call). Canada just isn't a country that sends its forces out to kill and/or capture people except under extraordinary circumstances. Maybe America and the UK does that, but they also face very different threats than we do. The moment any Canadian government, regardless of political party, decides to send our troops to a foreign country without a declaration of war to eliminate human targets is the moment when the Canadian people will go nuts. It's just not what we do in this country and don't really have a history of doing so, certainly not on our own. With the war in Afghanistan now long over it is important that our sharpest weapons do get combat experience and make a difference, not just with training foreign militaries or practicing at home. Perhaps the answer is more combined operations with the our allies. But it's hard to imagine a world where Canada sends its elite operators after a Bin Laden type figure as a national choice. We just don't really do that here, do we?

[@lucaschudleigh7193]

What answers? He gave absolutely zero answers. He vaguely “accused” politicians of weakening the military and failed to actually say how. Super brave stance.

[@1anre]

Pray things that'll make canada become that type of nation doesn't get accelerated cause culture of a nation can change. Don't see why Canadian culture of being warriors needs to be downplayed

[@superdrew8564]

We suffer from the whole peacekeeper lore thing and most of the country not having mil experience or knowing how/when to use military properly. Politicians know Jack sh!t bout mil and how to use them, they only roll out the mil stuff and support the troops for votes

[@savagemax9091]

Thank you for your service. Not sure if you’re an Afghan vet. Shame how many we have lost. Shame how they weren’t taken care of.

[@JoshuaKnowbuddy-gm1ez]

We all know why moral is low… BF Trudy and crew have rained hell on to Canada.

[@blin1776]

Another way to attract young Canadians would deff be housing. There r so much federal land to build housing for troops, however the gov lack the will to do so. If tmr, the liberals decided on a game plan to house troops for cheap. I can see lots of young Canadians will to step up.

[@227MacWC]

I think young people would join if the liberals were just gone. This government has been awful for us young people and has demoralized us. Why join and fight/risk our lives for Justin Trudeau, an absolute schmuck? None of my friends are willing to fight for this dude.

[@blin1776]

​@@227MacWCTrue that! I m currently in (13 years and counting) I have never seen morale as low as now.

[@jarvy251]

There's already a game plan to house troops for cheap - it's called living next to an army base in the middle of nowhere. I knew junior enlisted who would just buy a house a few minutes drive from Petawawa because it's not exactly a hot real estate market out there.

[@superdrew8564]

@@jarvy251petawawa housing market is OVERPRICED. You’re paying city prices for almost no amenities.

[@SpruceMoose-iv8un]

Are u kidding, this government took away money from military housing so now CF personal who work in city centers have to pay out of pocket to live there.

[@ImpulseToAdrenaline]

The pay was the only reason I didn't join the forces.

[@linkovich3319]

Nah, I think a pig part is the long waiting times just to get in, Know dudes who are going on year 2-3 for a callback. Think about it, You could have applied for uni and been halfwaythrough your first degree before they decide to call you back. For young people looking at it but it isn't really their passion, but rather an experience for them - it's just not worth it.

[@terrytuepah171]

My god it’s actually sad how our governments have ruined a once great and proud military. I feel sorry for anyone who want to join now.

[@junglejim7664]

Would raising standards for recruiting increase the numbers willing to join? I get the impression that quality prospects don’t want to join a team with such low fitness standards. Kinda like sending a beer league hockey team to represent at the Olympics.

[@mikefawkes5195]

dont forget the Trail smoke eaters back in the day ,hockey greatness..Canadians can do anything !!! not to mock you .respect .the people are great ,its the damn management is the problem

[@mohwkheadbanger6280]

Are you even forklift certified

[@taemian]

Respectfully, your comparison of Green Berets as being underneath Delta or SEALs, and/or being equal to Rangers is vastly uninformed. The two GBs that I know mostly did DA Missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Perhaps a better analogy would be the difference between Navy SEALs and Devgru in reference to CSOR and JTF2. Or in the case of Delta, white ops vs black ops. While I do understand that green berets have a completely different skill set and training, when something needs to be hammered down, the politicians in charge only look for the prefix 18 in their MOS. There was very, very little of the GB mission set that was not covered by the Agency, Leaving lots of time for DA missions. The traditional role of winning hearts and minds wasn’t examined or utilized at all, at least as far as my buddies experiences went. I applaud, you tempering your comments about the need for stronger political will. It shows your discipline, but at some point, you need to recognize the fact that when they tell you t’s raining, they’re really just pissing down your shirt. Subscribed.

[@BrokenArrow187]

Hah, 10 years and a catalog of qualifications and I will be releasing next year. Hopping ship before this baby sinks further.

[@roidbuster3498]

This country is lost I believe the Legion is the place for me I hope I make it in, you are not going to convince a bunch of soft hearted people voting to invest in the military they believe isnt needed.

[@BotNard]

Five years ago when I was joining (thank god something came up and I got out before the worst of it), there was already a “diversification” persuasion and it was negatively affecting everything already. There were so many medically and physically unfit but politically and demographically desired people filling up the recourse platoon that it was unbelievable to me. The term “green welfare” comes to mind. There was a candidate who was on her second pregnancy while at base and she hadn’t been kicked out yet. That kind of garbage is completely demoralizing and unless it stops, the force will continue to degrade. We need to stop dancing around the issue. This is a liberal agenda line item. *WHEN THEY SAY "DIVERSITY IS OUR GREATEST STRENGTH" THEY ARE NOT SAYING WHAT YOU THINK THEY ARE SAYING. WHEN THEY SAY "OUR" THEY ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU, THEY ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT EVERYONE. THEY ARE LITERALLY TALKING ABOUT THEMSELVES, THEIR GROUP, AND THEIR AGENDA, FROM WHICH YOU ARE EXCLUDED, AND ARE "THE ENEMY". WHEN THEY SAY "STRENGTH" THEY MEAN 'WEAPON' -A WEAPON THAT IS USED AGAINST YOU, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR SOCIETY, YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR CIVILIZATION. IF YOU SPEAK IN FAVOR OF ANY OF THAT, IF YOU TAKE A MORAL OR FAITH BASED STAND, YOU WILL BE TARGETED. THEIR PURPOSE IS THE DESTRUCTION OF EVERYTHING YOU HOLD DEAR, EVERYTHING YOU CARE ABOUT, AND EVERYTHING YOU STAND FOR. YOU ARE TO BE SUBJUGATED AND DOMINATED. THE TRUE MEANING OF THAT STATEMENT IS THAT IT IS A BATTLECRY:DIVERSITY IS OUR GREATEST WEAPON.*

[@crush42mash6]

It seems that there is corruption just like an any government agency, of course, deal with that nonsense, I definitely wish we had more planes in the forces, I actually wish there was a manufacturer that would bring back the arrow, and, of course adapt to modern day demand, but it would give a place for our future engineers to remain in our country! And of course we need more in the Arctic from everything from planes to ships being built ASAP Yes, I know that’s my Christmas wish list!

[@donaldcameron2454]

It gets worse after you release

[@JSpark135]

I'm a infantry reservist from the harper era early trudeau years and you hit the nail on the head. I would rather go join the french foreign legion then join the CAF to yell bang babg instead of getting blank rounds, and having all you're god damn courses cancelled, no deployments besides latvia training, shitpumps and people that dont give shit in all directions. I wanted to go reg i just joined the reserves because i was 16-18. If war breaks out im staying with my family in america getting my citizenship and joining the marines.

[@camhaines5482]

Bureaucrats dealing with bureaucrats = nothing gained. We need to vote in governments that listen to people.

[@XiangYu94]

I have hope for the CAF and believe that one way to get over the political impasse is to actually find a way to align to the Liberal gov’s perspective in a way that makes them increase funding and attention - with geopolitical uncertainty on the rise, our diverse population will be a massive advantage in regards to understanding the enemy / having in-built language skills to train local forces etc. - We’ve got ethnicities from all over the world and it’s in our interest to use this diversity as an edge. The diversity angle appeals to the Lib’s party theme, and it’s also a valid factor from a military standpoint. Because military trainers aren’t tantamount to Canada declaring outright war, it’ll allow our diverse troops to be used and gain experience without political risk. The training of local guerrillas might also help in expanding the Canadian military’s network around the world which might help in future conflicts.

[@thanasibye9832]

🔥

[@johnchristian664]

CAF is in a death spiral period.

[@arieladam69]

Its all cuz of Trudeau

[@brandentownsend7298]

If the CAF were to get rid of our nearly useless and barely used but still costly submarines altogether and sell them off then maybe they could afford to better train and equip reservists.

[@gc4th]

We need to make CAF/CANSOFCOM a priority... especially with everything that is happening in Afghanistan (AQ) and other places like Yeman & Liberia. Sad.

[@Ion610]

One problem right now is the little resources the CAF has is disproportionately going to CANSOFCOM. The regular soldiers and sailors are in desperate need of new equipment and purpose. Im saying this as someone who is still in after 7 years.

[@Noodles-The-Hunter-Vanguard]

The CAF aren’t warriors like the US Military so to speak, the CAF are peace keepers

[@lmAIone]

As a young 23yr old I greatly appreciate this video. The vax mandate has to go, the caf lost so many great people because of it.

[@davidburnell8635]

Hello enjoy the videos being a Canadian unfortunately I didn’t get an opportunity to serve due to a heart murmur however I am a very very very proud Canadian and very proud of our soldiers….. I would like if possible to ask you to repeat the OF THE special services one being “JTF ll” and I believe as you had mentioned “Special Operations Aviation Squadron” and also “CSOR” However there was another, Wing or regimen which I didn’t quite hear the entire acronym however you mention it around the six minute 59 second point from the beginning of your video…… In essence I believe it’s for wings or squadrons including the three I had mentioned but again I’m unable to hear The full term it sounds something like “C DRIVE” or “C DRI”.. Forgive me For a misspelling of a wing of our military….. it would be nice if you were able to clarify this thank you David Also thank you very very much for your SERVICE!!!

[@chromerevolver5854]

Trudeau government has to be the worst thing that has happened to Canada. Hopefully when Pierre gets in things will start to get better.

[@aaronkellar6583]

if youre struggling to know what you wanna do, then leave. the forces should be an exclusive organization, not inclusive. i left cause our leadership left our military

[@mike6.10]

God. I hope the conservatives can turn this around.

[@breadtoasted2269]

We need warriors in the parties not some fancy cult like dandelions 😡

[@DrRemorse]

All military member want to deploy and most wont and leave ... if you think special ops is key its not you need normal soldier to deploy as well wich only officers do

[@robertmaheu7583]

better paid ? already best paid force in all of NATO made bank when I was in

[@garybranscombe5616]

Chain of command is lazy. And lost its balls. Not talking about combat units they are great. The support units sucks.

[@coldeadhands]

Canada has great military leaders Captain obvious and colonel Saunders both deserve a promotion

[@ConradTurgeon-fb4cp]

It’s the fact that our military is severely outdated, and moot on the world stage.