Generating Readiness

The term ‘readiness’ in a military context is the capability (people and resources) of a force to carry out missions assigned to it by its government. The goal of military readiness is to ensure that a force is prepared, equipped, and able to complete tasks at any time and in any place.

One of the greatest challenges facing the Canadian Army (CA) in its ability to generate readiness is a significant shortage of mid-level leaders. These master corporals, sergeants, and captains make up the bulk of the training cadre responsible for the development of new recruits.

Immediate efforts to build up the instructor base will pay dividends in the coming years, allowing the CA to significantly ramp up recruit training.

The CA has maintained readiness in a COVID-19 environment by adopting strict health protection protocols and adjusting how it delivers its training. COVID-19 is expected to become endemic, which means the virus continues to be transmitted, but at low levels. As new variants arise, members are strongly encouraged to get their COVID booster dose to optimize protection. The CA will continue to generate readiness while employing force health protection measures to the greatest extent possible to mitigate the risk of transmitting infection, thereby protecting CA members.

The CA will:

• Digitalize the Army Individual Training Management System to increase efficiency;
• Better support One Army Integration with the use existing digital tools to optimize administration and personnel management in the Army Reserve;
• Prioritize training of mid-level leaders by scaling down other forms of training. This training will look different but be no less challenging or creative.
• Build predictability into training to make sure the Reserve Force is able to fully participate in domestic and international operations.
• Implement Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE) Europe, an updated and realistic training scenario modeled on current events in Eastern Europe.
• Review and update the Army Operations Course.
• Improve the protracted recruiting process. The CA has limited control of the process, but will advance those areas where it has authority.
• Develop a Canadian Ranger Enhancement Strategy to review how the Rangers are tasked, equipped, administered, and integrated.