National Defence committee  I knew someone would ask that question. Just by way of introduction, there are approximately 4,000 Canadian Rangers working across Canada. They are predominantly, but not exclusively, aboriginal personnel working in the northern areas of our country—not just the Arctic, but nort

National Defence committee  I couldn't speak specifically to what the process is, to be candid. But if they're on a CF operation, they'd be treated as if they were a CF member.

National Defence committee  I guess you're looking at me, ma'am, so I'll take the last shot.

National Defence committee  No, not at all.

National Defence committee  No, not at all. I would echo, initially, General Tabbernor's comments. A lot of the changes that were recommended by the report were in fact already under way, with a number of initiatives launched by both our own services and the Chief of the Defence Staff's focus on Canadian F

National Defence committee  That's a great question. Certainly, I would say in 2003 and 2004, that was going on, but now there are almost 3,000 combat veterans in the reserve army. There is barely an army reserve unit that hasn't had soldiers who have deployed into Afghanistan. In the combat arm, barely a

National Defence committee  From the army's perspective, sir, I do not have those statistics, nor am I aware of any dynamic that would be different from the norm. I think that question would probably be better put to the chief of military personnel, who could respond to that. I am unable to respond.

National Defence committee  I can absolutely speak to that. I see it as my main function, with my sergeant major, to be the commander of the army's eyes and ears on the ground, especially across the reserve community of our country. Let me try to explain it this way. There is a double system. The first sys

National Defence committee  The life of a reservist is sometimes quite complicated, but the military comradeship provided by his reserve unit is very much akin to a social community in itself. As soldiers deploy and live their lives, a lot of the social circles of long-time reservists are those soldiers the

National Defence committee  I support the comments of my colleagues.

National Defence committee  It's expanding existing services. The casualty care centres are being spread out across the country in the major groupings of the cities and in the service and reserve communities.

National Defence committee  No, I was speaking about the casualty care and the coordination centres themselves. They will be distributed as efficiently as possible across the country. Of course, as we see need for more centres, particularly in rural Canada, they will be set up. It's about coordination and h

National Defence committee  That's correct.

National Defence committee  When he returns, he's entitled to some paid leave, so he's still inside the system for up to 60 days.

National Defence committee  He is still part of his unit, so he has an obligation to be a part of and parade with that unit on a regular basis, at least once a month, but more often once a week. So he is actively reintegrated into his military community right away. Upon his return, he has to spend those t