Gunner, rather than publish whats happening to me on the forum, I'm simply going to redress the problems and seek solutions through the chain for now. It's not an issue which can be addressed by my unit CO, so I will wait and see how far up the chain it goes. My faith in the system is almost non-existent at the moment, but I can only do my best to wait patiently for the system to mess it up. The responsibility is likely to be shifted from one group/person to the other until it falls into oblivion, or until it takes so long they will hope I give up on it and move on. Classic. After my recent tour, I was ready to go for another one, excited at the possibilities and opportunities. I am almost to the point where rather than pursuing a commission as was recommended to me after my tour, turning in my soldier suit altogether. For some reason that idea saddens me, and I am not a quitter, so I will not likely do the effortless and easy thing and walk away.
Once I have a reply to my redress, I will consider posting the specifics of the issue. When asking about solutions, I indicated that I was less inclined to seek compensation for my situation ( a major financial shafting) than I was interested in helping to ensure this didn't happen to other soldiers.
PBI......You're right that the Navy often uses individuals as augmentees more often than the Army does. I do not disagree. However when you look at the level of incompetence (strong word yes, but more than applicable) in administrating individual augmentees and soldiers to missions such as Palladium etc. It seems as though each time an individual soldier is supplied, the system seems to be so uncertain what the proper procedures to follow are, that it is like they are the first Canadian soldier deployed, ever. There is simply no excuse. Why would they not have a central processing facility where ALL soldiers go through prior to deployment, regardless of their base or unit of origin? It seems that CFB Trenton might be a good place to start. Thats the hub!!! I do not have the experience with Admin issues to offer a better suggestion or come up with a viable solution, but as a non-com with a small bit of soldiering experience, I know when the troops are getting screwed unneccessarily in the long run. We clearly have a system which is ineffective, so why after so long has it not been fixed?
After something in the neighbourhood of 50,000+ soldiers rotated into and out of BiH since the early 90's, you'd think they'd have SOMETHING they can use as a guide, as it is highly unlikely that each augmentee has a unique deployment situation. I think it is more likely that the same problems occur over and over again, without being properly addressed, the classic 'It's not my problem, I'll let the next guy deal with it'.........Who suffers? The troops.........There seem to be re-ocurring themes of 'its not my problem' or 'it's just the men' in the military today, and I'd submit that when a soldier reg or reserve leaves their families to serve, the last thing they need on their minds is the fear that their and their families' interests are not being taken seriously or cared for.
I'd love to get some more feedback and stories on here, and stats for the poll.
Anyway, slowly ideas and whatnot are coming on the page here, so thanks for that all......Please keep them coming.
TM