Organization: Patrol Groups

The Canadian Army consists of the Regular Force and the Reserve Force. The Reserve Force supports deployed forces and provides a base for expansion or mobilization.

The Reserve Force is organized into four sub-components:

• The Primary Reserve (P Res)
• The Supplementary Reserve (Supp Res)
• The Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC)
• The Canadian Rangers (CR)

Canadian Rangers are non-commissioned members of the Canadian Army (CA) Reserve. They are members who are always ready for service but who are not required to undergo annual training. They serve only when placed on active service or when called out in an emergency Like any other reservists, the Rangers are considered to be on duty when they are undergoing training or when they are called upon during an emergency situation or a domestic operation.

The Canadian Rangers are divided into five Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups (CRPGs). Each CRPG covers a distinct geographical area; each has a headquarters and a staff that is responsible for training and mentoring the Rangers and Junior Canadian Rangers in their area.

Each CRPG has a Regular Force or Reserve member who is responsible for performing periodic mentoring, reviews, visits and inspections of the patrols.

The Commander of Canadian Army is the Canadian Ranger National Authority (CRNA), but he delegates this authority to the Chief of Staff Army Reserve. The CRNA is authorized to set priorities, manage uncertainty and risk and have oversight of the use of resources pertaining to all Canadian Rangers. While each CRPG has been placed into a Division (Div) or JTF(North) Chain of Command, the CRNA staff advise both CCA and the Divs/JTF(North).

Specifically, the CRNA develops and consistently applies the following:

• Validating equipment and training needs;
• Establishing national policy;
• Reviewing and distributing funds;
• Coordinating dress changes; and
• Developing personnel administration.

As opposed to the traditional CAF promotion practices, Canadian Rangers elect their patrol leaders, Canadian Ranger sergeants.

Since 1998 the Canadian Rangers have become an integral part of the exceptional youth programme called the Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR).

The JCR program is open to all youth ages 12 to 18 years old. The program promotes traditional cultures and lifestyles in remote and isolated coastal communities of the North. JCRs make a valuable contribution to their communities and become active, responsible citizens.

Many JCRs are fluently bilingual or even trilingual, and are able to assist their elders in communicating with visitors from the south.