Canada's Shame

Hunter368 · 10-18-2007, 04:51 PM

Canada is having a hard time recruiting enough troops for its armed forces. Despite aggressive recruiting over the last four years (which brought in 20,000 new troops), there was a net gain of only 700 in the force of 56,000. Compared to the United States (which has ten times the population), Canada has only about half as many troops, per capita, on active duty. Yet the United States, despite being at war, is able to keep their force up to strength.

The Canadian problem is political, and cultural. While the Canadian armed forces earned a reputation as tough and effective soldiers during the two World Wars and Korea, the country became less enthusiastic about supporting their military during the last few decades. This has reached the point where the armed forces feels resented and unwanted. Budgets were cut so much that Canada is a generation or more behind the United States in many categories of weapons and equipment.

Canadian army troops have gotten a lot of work on peacekeeping missions, and saw combat in the 1991 Gulf War and Afghanistan, where they distinguished themselves. But for all that, the troops do not feel respected or appreciated in their own country, and this appears to be reflected in the recruiting numbers. Canada wants to increase military manpower 23 percent, but some new ideas, policies and attitudes will be need to carry that out. Conscription is not an option, as Canada has never used it in peacetime, and implemented it only with difficulty in wartime.

pbfoot · 10-18-2007, 04:57 PM

They also saw combat in Bosnia

Soundbreaker Welch? · 10-19-2007, 03:14 AM

I haven't met too many Canadians, but I bet they are good fellows, like the ones on here.

Are you happy though, that Canada's soldiers are not in Iraq?

Instal · 10-19-2007, 03:31 AM

Yes but only because there was no plan of how or when to get out. Had there been such a plan I think we should have gone as well.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 10-19-2007, 06:11 AM

I used to fly with a Canadian in the US Army. He served with me in Germany, Kosovo and Iraq and is now an Apache Pilot. Good guy and good friend. He said he joined the US Army because he wanted to be in a "real" military and actually do something.

mkloby · 10-19-2007, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet

I used to fly with a Canadian in the US Army. He served with me in Germany, Kosovo and Iraq and is now an Apache Pilot. Good guy and good friend. He said he joined the US Army because he wanted to be in a "real" military and actually do something.

That's funny I have a buddy, CH-53E driver, in the USMC that left Canada to join our military.

timshatz · 10-19-2007, 09:55 AM

There are a fair number of foriegn born in our military, at least there were when I was in. Had a number of Australian, Canadian and NZ types in the Navy back in the early 80s, some of them with experience in their miltary.

Hunter368 · 10-19-2007, 10:22 AM

I neighbor of mine, their son serves in the US Army.

mkloby · 10-19-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timshatz

There are a fair number of foriegn born in our military, at least there were when I was in. Had a number of Australian, Canadian and NZ types in the Navy back in the early 80s, some of them with experience in their miltary.

For sure - However, it is slightly different though when someone leaves their homeland specifically to join the US military.

Matt308 · 10-19-2007, 04:01 PM

Rather telling isn't it. How many Americans do you read about leaving the US to fight in foreign militaries? Certainly there are examples. But I ask the question in seriousness. I really do wonder.

pbfoot · 10-19-2007, 04:48 PM

Lots of Americans have come to canada to fight and many stayed. Look at the Eagle Squadrons most of them came through the RCAF . Some of your better pilots like Gentile, Hofer, Blakesee were all members of the RCAF. in the neighbourhood of 35000