Reserve Force of Canada

The Reserve Force of Canada comprises part-time members of the ARMED FORCES, whose role is to augment and support the Regular Force. Compulsory universal military service for early settlers eventually became part-time, volunteer soldiering. This reserve ("militia") tradition remained the dominant feature of Canadian military service, despite the evolution of a regular permanent land force; not until the 1950s did the regular components outnumber the reserves. The Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve was formed 1914, although there had been naval companies in colonial militias long before. The Canadian Air Force, established in 1920, was almost entirely an air militia until the 1924 formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force, which had its own reserve component from the beginning.

The present Reserve Force is made up of 4 parts: the Primary Reserve, the Supplementary Reserve, the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) and the Canadian Rangers. The Primary Reserve is commanded by the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) through the Commanders of the various Commands or through the Commanders of intermediate formations. It consists of approximately 30 000 officers and non-commissioned members and is divided into the Naval Reserve, the Militia, the Air Reserve, the NDHQ Primary Reserve List and Communication Reserve; all are composed of volunteers who train evenings, on weekends or at short camps.

The Supplementary Reserve consists of approximately 54 000 officers and non-commissioned members who have left the Regular Force or Primary Reserve but are still available if needed. People with no previous military experience who have special skills or expertise that reflects a military requirement may also belong to the Supplementary Reserve, whose main purpose is to augment the other components of the Canadian Forces in times of national emergency or mobilization.

The approximately 6000 Officers of the CIC supervise, administer and train CADETS. The CIC represents the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The Canadian Rangers, whose special contribution is expert local knowledge, are reservists in sparsely settled areas that cannot be supported conveniently or economically by other Canadian Forces components. Rangers also support the Junior Canadian Ranger (JCR) program, a program sponsored by the Canadian Forces for youths 12 to 18 in remote and isolated communities.

Author NORMAN HILLMER AND O.A. COOKE

Links to Other Sites
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa is dedicated to the men and women who served with valour and distinction in Canada’s armed services. Their website features a virtual tour of the museum and multimedia online exhibits that depict how Canada met and overcame wartime challenges throughout its history.

The Archives of Ontario Remembers the Home Front
In honour of the 60th anniversary of D-Day, the Archives of Ontario presents this stirring retrospective of Ontario’s extraordinary Home Front contribution to the war effort. Check out the personal stories, photographs, posters, video clips and other multimedia.

Canadian Military History Gateway
Search this website for authoritative information about Canadian military history. Provides links to websites for Canadian museums, libraries, archives, and other heritage organizations. Also features an online glossary of military terminology, educational resources and much more. From the Department of National Defence.

Canadian Forces: Glossary
A glossary of military terminology used in the Canadian Forces. From the forces.ca website.

Canadian Military Journal
The online edition of the "Canadian Military Journal." Many articles about contemporary military issues, compelling history features, book reviews, and much more.

Canadian Forces Base/Area Support Unit Shilo
The website for Canadian Forces Base/Area Support Unit Shilo, located in southwestern Manitoba. Check out the lastest Army News stories about people and activities connected to this base. From the Department of National Defence.