Canadian Forces Naval Reserve

The Canadian Forces Naval Reserve (NAVRES, French: Réserve navale des Forces canadiennes) is the Primary Reserve component of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The primary mission of the NAVRES is to force generate sailors and teams for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations, including: domestic safety operations as well as security and defence missions, while at the same time supporting the Navy's efforts in connecting with Canadians through the maintenance of a broad national presence.[1]

Canadian Forces Naval Reserve
Réserve navale des Forces canadiennes  (French)
Badge of the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve
Active1968–present
CountryCanada
BranchRoyal Canadian Navy
RoleStrategic reserve
Size5,100 Reserve personnel
Garrison/HQQuebec City, Quebec
Motto(s)French: De l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace, lit. 'We must dare, and dare again, and go on daring'
Commanders
Commander Naval ReserveCmdre Michael Hopper
Formation Chief Naval ReserveCPO1 Todd Kelly

History

Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve (1914–1918)

Canada's modern Naval Reserve finds its origins with the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve (RNCVR) created on 14 May 1914 under the provisions of Naval Service Act. Organised into Atlantic, Lake and Pacific subcommands, 8,000 Canadians enlisted for service in the RNCVS during WWI. Agreeing to serve in wartime with either the RCN or the British Royal Navy (RN),[2] members of the RNCVR crewed 160 vessels, patrolling the shores of Canada and conducting convoy escort duties.[3] The RNCVR was extinguished four years later and its personnel demobilized following the end of the war in 1918.

The Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve at the QF 4-inch gun emplacement near Ferguson Point, Stanley Park, Vancouver. - Aug 1914

Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (1923–1945)

In 1923, the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) was stood up and under the command of Rear-Admiral Walter Hose who authorized the creation of NRDs in every major Canadian city. In 1941 Naval Reserve divisions were granted the designations ‘His or Her Majesty’s Canadian ships’ and received its own command and a seat on the Naval Board.[4] The new naval reserve establishment formed a robust reserve force building popular support amongst Canadians for the fledgling Canadian Navy. During the Second World War, the RCNVR became the backbone of the Canadian Navy, recruiting officers and sailors for the Navy. By the end of the war, Canada possessed the third-largest navy in the world, with a complement of nearly 100,000. Most of these men and women were members of the RCNVR.

Lieut C A Burke, RCNVR (Far Left), with Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve officers after engaging a group of German E Boats in the North Sea in 1943
Walter Hose Monument, Point Pleasant Park, Halifax, Nova Scotia

With the end of the Second World War, the Naval Reserve was formed in 1945 replacing the RCNVR. Expected to maintain the same level of skill as the Regular Force, training and pay for reservists was equalised. Focused on minesweeping, escort, and coastal patrol; each division mirrored its organisation, training and crew with all officer branches and non-commissioned trades across the fleet.[5] Despite successfully expanding the University Naval Training Division (UNTD), forming a dedicated 'Commanding Officer, Naval Divisions' command in 1953 and attaching various tender craft to NRD's; the Naval Reserve experienced suffered a decline in skill due to focusing on generalist skills and lack of opportunities to sea-going ships leading up to the unification of the Canadian Forces in 1968.

Canadian Forces Naval Reserve (1968-1990)

With the unification of the Canadian Forces, the Naval Reserve was renamed the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve and years of decline set in. With no combat capability, except the Naval Reserve Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) program, the Naval Reserve lost political advocacy and was left out of any formal role in the Canadian Forces defence structure. Left outside the Canadian Forces structure, the Naval Reserve would rely on new and unique ways of keeping relevant during the Cold War years. With the UNTD program shuttered, for example, NRDs worked to expand their recruiting numbers by employing students at local level, and force generating sailors initially trained at the unit level to serve on major warships.[6] Years of decline was finally ended with Canada's 1987 White Paper on defence policy Challenge and Commitments.

Canadian Forces Naval Reserve (1990–2001)

With more integration of the Primary Reserve into the 'Total Force Concept' as outlined by the 1987 Defence White Paper, and then confirmed in the 1994 follow-up white paper, the naval reserve was tasked with providing niche capabilities to assist the Regular Force. One such task undertaken by the naval reserve was to spearhead enhancing RCN mine countermeasures (MCM) operation capabilities and by crewing twelve new Kingston-class coastal defence vessels (MCDVs), that since their introduction in 1996, have significantly contributed to Canadian maritime security and allied commitments, both domestically and internationally. The naval reserve was additionally tasked with maintaining standing port inspection diver (PID) teams, supporting regional dive centres and supplying four non-standing port security units and four naval co-operation and guidance for shipping (the former NCS, now NCAGS) units.[6]

Mission

The mission of the NAVRES is to generate trained individuals and teams for CAF operations, including domestic safety operations as well as security and defence missions, while at the same time supporting the RCN's efforts in connecting with Canadians through the maintenance of a broad national presence.

The tasks of the NAVRES is to:

  1. Respond to domestic safety operations with trained sailors and small boat expertise.
  2. Provide specific unique skill sets for security missions for the RCN.
  3. Augment the fleet on any platform or shore capacity for defence missions, both at home and abroad.
  4. Provide the linkage for the RCN to local communities.

NAVRES fills a number of roles within the Total Force Plan. In addition to augmenting the Regular Force, Naval Reservists form diving units and public relations units such as the National Band of the Naval Reserve.

HMCS Brandon, Kingston-class maritime coastal defence vessel, conducting mine-sweeping operations in 2004.

Organization

Located in Quebec City at the Pointe-à-Carcy Naval Complex, Naval Reserve Headquarters (NAVRESHQ) oversees the operation of all 24 NRDs across Canada. Co-located with NAVRESHQ is NRD HMCS Montcalm, Naval Fleet School (Quebec) (NFS(Q)) and the Naval Museum of Quebec - Stanislas-Déry Naval Museum.

Organized into 24 shore-based NRDs, Naval Reserve units are dedicated to training sailors to augment the Regular Force as well as functioning as local recruitment centres for the RCN and NAVRES. Manned by a small cadre of full-time reservists and Regular Force members to coordinate training and administration, operations at NRDs and dependent units are conducted year-round with reservists frequently deploying on operations and training courses during the summer season.

Naval Reserve Divisions (Lineage and Associated Dependent Units)[7][8][9]
City Pre-1941 From 1941 to 1966 1967-Present
Saint John Saint John Company [1923]

Saint John Half-Company [1927]

Saint John Division

HMCS Brunswicker [1941] HMCS Brunswicker

- Moncton Tender (2019)

St John's HMCS Cabot [1949] HMCS Cabot
Ottawa Ottawa Half-Company [1923]

Ottawa Division [1935]

HMCS Carleton [1941]

- North Bay Tender [1955-1958]

HMCS Carleton
Kingston Kingston Division [1939] HMCS Cataraqui [1941]

- Naval Air Squadron VC-921 [1953-1964]

HMCS Cataraqui
Chicoutimi HMCS Champlain [1986]
Winnipeg Winnipeg Company [1923]

Winnipeg Division [1936]

HMCS Chippawa [1941] HMCS Chippawa
Rimouski HMCS d'Iberville [1952-1961] HMCS d'Iberville [1986]
Vancouver Number 2 (Vancouver) Company [1914]

Vancouver Half-Company [1924]

Vancouver Division

HMCS Discovery [1941] HMCS Discovery
Montreal Montreal (English) Half-Company [1923-1928]

Montreal (French) Half Company [1923-1928]

Montreal Company [1928-1934]

Montreal Division [1934-1940]

Cartier Division [1939-1940]2

HMCS Montreal [1941-1943]

HMCS Donnacona [1943]

HMCS Cartier [1941-1945]2

HMCS Donnacona
Thunder Bay Port Arthur Half-Company [1937] HMCS Griffon [1941] HMCS Griffon
Windsor Windsor Half-Company (1940) HMCS Hunter [1941] HMCS Hunter
Sept-Îles HMCS Jolliet [1989]
Victoria No.1 Half-Company [1914-1918] HMCS Malahat [1944]

- Naval Air Squadron VC-922 [1953-1964]

HMCS Malahat
Quebec City Quebec Half-Company

Quebec Division

HMCS Montcalm [1941]

- Naval Air Squadron VC-923 [1954-1964]

HMCS Montcalm
Edmonton Edmonton Half-Company [1927]

Edmonton Division

HMCS Nonsuch [1941-1964] HMCS Nonsuch [1975]
London London Division [1938] HMCS Prevost [1941-1964] HMCS Prevost [1990]
Regina Regina Half-Company [1923]

Regina Division

HMCS Queen [1941-1964] HMCS Queen [1975]
Charlottetown Charlottetown Half-Company [1923]

Charlottetown Division

HMCS Queen Charlotte [1941-1964] HMCS Queen Charlotte [1994]
Trois-Rivières HMCS Radisson [1987]
Halifax Halifax Half-Company [1925]

Halifax Division

HMCS Haligonian [1943-1946]

HMCS Scotian [1947]

HMCS Scotian
Hamilton HMCS Patriot [1956-1966]1
Hamilton Hamilton Volunteer Naval Company [1862]

Hamilton Naval Brigade [1866]

Hamilton Naval Company [1868]

Hamilton Half-Company [1923]

Hamilton Division

HMCS Star [1941]

- Kitchener Tender [1954-1964]

HMCS Star

- Kitchener Tender [2019]

Calgary Calgary Half-Company [1923]

Calgary Division [1935]

HMCS Tecumseh [1941]

- Naval Air Squadron VC-924 [1954-1964]

HMCS Tecumseh
Saskatoon Saskatoon Half-Company [1923] HMCS Unicorn [1941] HMCS Unicorn
Toronto Toronto Naval Company [1868]

Toronto Company [1923]

Toronto Company

HMCS York [1941]

- Naval Air Squadron VC-920 [1953-1964]

HMCS York
Corner Brook HMCS Caribou [1953-1958]
Prince Rupert Prince Rupert Half-Company

Prince Rupert Division

HMCS Chatham [1942-1964]

Notes:

  1. Headquarters for the Commanding Officer Naval Divisions colocated with Great Lakes Training Centre.[10]
  2. Established as a Francophone division, she was amalgamated with HMCS Donnacona in 1945.[7]

The Naval Security Team (NST) is a modular, scalable, flexible, and deployable naval team primarily composed of Naval Reservists, with Regular Force members rounding out the team when required.[11] Tasked with providing enhanced force protection (FP) and security of deployed RCN ships and personnel at home or overseas, the NST deployed for the first time in 2017 providing force protection for HMCS Winnipeg during her port visit to Busan, South Korea.[12][13] Headquartered at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt the NST reports directly to the Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific

A Naval Reservist from HMCS Star in Hamilton, Ontario, directs another member during NST workup training prior to deploying to Korea in 2017.

National Band of the Naval Reserve (NBNR)

Each summer, musicians from the five NRD's come together to form the National Band of the Naval Reserve (NBNR) (French: Musique Nationale de la Réserve Navale (MNRN)). During the summer months the NBNR is a full-time touring military band composed of musicians from HMCS Chippawa, HMCS Montcalm, HMCS Star, HMCS Tecumseh and HMCS York.

Member of the National Band of the Naval Reserve (NBNR) speaking at a community event in 2011

Equipment

As of 2019, naval reserve divisions (NRDs) across Canada primarily operate various types of inboard and outboard rigid-hull inflatable boats in addition to Defender-class boats operated by the NST. Most particularly, NAVRES is tasked with providing the personnel for the KINGSTON-Class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels and Naval Security Team (NST).[14]

Personnel

Naval Reservists are individuals who are otherwise engaged in civilian careers while pursuing a military career in the CAF with NAVRES as an officer or non-commissioned member. They train and work for the Navy in the evenings, on weekends and during the summer period, in an occupation of their choice. They can be students, teachers, lawyers, delivery persons, secretaries, or other members of society. Most serve on a part-time basis, with no obligation to participate in any mission overseas. However, many full-time employment opportunities and deployments are available to those Reservists who volunteer for them.[15]

Throughout their career, sailors may serve in three classes of service:

  • Class A (part-time);
  • Class B (full-time non-operational); or
  • Class C (full-time operational).

Training

Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards, followed by basic training at Camp Vimy at CFB Valcartier, Quebec.

Naval Fleet School (Quebec) (NFS(Q)) is the RCN's school dedicated to training reservists at various points of their careers and serving as the CAF centre of excellence for coastal and littoral warfare training.[16][17] For at sea training, the Orca-class patrol vessels are primarily used to facilitate numerous one-to-six-week long at-sea training evolutions for training for reserve sailors.[18] A class of eight steel-hulled training and surveillance vessels, the Orca-class patrol vessels are located at Patrol Craft Training Unit (PCTU) Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt.[19]

US Master Chief Dee Allen, command master chief of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, operates a 40mm Bofors gun at the Naval Fleet School (Quebec) small arms trainer in 2012.

The Canadian Armed Forces lists 28 occupations that are performed by either officer or non-commissioned members of the Naval Reserve.[20] Many occupations – such as intelligence officer - are common across all three environments, while others – such as naval communicator – are specifically Navy. As of October 2020, the following occupations are listed as Naval Reserve occupations:

  1. Anesthesiologist (Medical Specialist)
  2. Biomedical Electronics Technologist
  3. Boatswain
  4. Chaplain
  5. Communicator Research Operator
  6. Cook
  7. Financial Services Administrator  
  8. General Surgeon (Medical Specialist)
  9. Health Care Administration Officer
  10. Human Resources Administrator
  11. Imagery Technician
  12. Intelligence Officer
  13. Intelligence Operator
  14. Internal Medicine Specialist (Medical Specialist)
  15. Legal Officer
  16. Logistics Officer
  17. Marine Technician
  18. Medical Officer
  19. Medical Technician
  20. Military Police
  21. Military Police Officer
  22. Musician
  23. Naval Combat Information Operator
  24. Naval Communicator
  25. Naval Warfare Officer
  26. Nursing Officer
  27. Orthopedic Surgeon (Medical Specialist)
  28. Personnel Selection Officer
  29. Pharmacy Officer
  30. Physician Assistant
  31. Physiotherapy Officer
  32. Port Inspection Diver
  33. Public Affairs Officer
  34. Radiologist (Medical Specialist)
  35. Supply Technician

Pay

Naval Reservists are paid 92.8% of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan. In an effort to streamline the recruiting processes for naval reservists, in February 2017 NAVRES initiated the Expedited Reserve Enrolment to allow applicants who meet security, medical, and basic fitness standards to enroll in as few as 21 days or between two and three visits after initial contact with NRD recruiters.[21]

Ranks

Commissioned officers

NATO codeOF-10OF-9OF-8OF-7OF-6OF-5OF-4OF-3OF-2OF-1OF(D)Student officer
 Royal Canadian Navy
No equivalent No equivalent
Admiral Vice-admiral Rear-admiral Commodore Captain(N) Commander Lieutenant-commander Lieutenant(N) Sub-lieutenant Acting sub-lieutenant Naval
Cadet
Amiral Vice-amiral Contre-amiral Commodore Capitaine de vaisseau Capitaine de frégate Capitaine de corvette Lieutenant de vaisseau Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe Aspirant de marine

Non-commissioned members

Non-commissioned member rank structure of the Royal Canadian Navy
Chief Petty Officer 1st class Chief Petty Officer 2nd class Petty Officer 1st class Petty Officer 2nd class Master Sailor (previously Master Seaman) Sailor First Class (previously Leading Seaman) Sailor Second Class (previously Able Seaman) Sailor Third Class (previously Ordinary Seaman) Sailor Third Class (Basic) Sailor Third Class (Recruit)
OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
CPO1 CPO2 PO1 PO2 MS S1 S2 S3 S3 (B) S3 (R)

Senior commanders

Through the Commander of the Naval Reserve (Comd NAVRES), Commander Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) is the functional authority responsible for the organization and management of the Naval Reserve.[22]

Commander Naval Reserve
Senior Naval Reserve Adviser (SNRA)
Commanding Officer Naval Division (COND/Regular Force Officers)
Chief Staff Officer Reserves (CSOR)
Commanding Officer Reserve/naval Divisions (CORD/COND)
  • Commodore, Second Class E.R. Brock (1942-1945)
Naval Reserve Chief Petty Officer / Formation Chief Naval Reserve

See also

References

  1. Government of Canada, National Defence (2013-07-16). "NAVRES Vision / Mission | Naval Reserve | Royal Canadian Navy". www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-11.
  2. Tucker, Gilbert Norman (1962). The Naval Service of Canada, Its Official History – Volume 1: Origins and Early Years. Ottawa: King's Printer.
  3. "Canadian Naval Reserve Early History". ns1763.ca. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  4. Boutilier, James A. (2011-11-01). RCN in Retrospect, 1910-1968. UBC Press. ISBN 978-0-7748-4346-1.
  5. Gimblett, Richard Howard; Hadley, Michael L. (2010-11-16). Citizen Sailors: Chronicles of Canada's Naval Reserve, 1910-2010. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-55488-867-2.
  6. Mulkins, Marta (2011). "A FINE BALANCE: CHALLENGES TO CANADA'S NAVAL RESERVE" (PDF). Canadian Forces College: 22.
  7. Defence, National (2018-02-16). "Naval Reserve divisions". aem. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  8. Navy, Royal Canadian (2017-09-20). "Ships' histories". aem. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  9. "Chronology of Canadian Naval Reserve Divisions". www.nauticapedia.ca. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  10. "HMCS PATRIOT & GLTC | Hamilton Naval Heritage Association". Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  11. Government of Canada, National Defence (2013-09-18). "Naval Security Team | Specialized Units | Royal Canadian Navy". www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-11.
  12. Leaf, The Maple. "Naval Security Team safeguards ships in foreign ports – The Maple Leaf". ml-fd.caf-fac.ca. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  13. Navy, Government of Canada, National Defence, Royal Canadian. "The Naval Reserve Link: View Article | LINK - April 2017 | What is the Naval Security Team (NST)?". www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  14. Navy, Government of Canada, National Defence, Royal Canadian. "NAVRES Headquarters & Schools | Naval Reserve | Royal Canadian Navy". www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  15. Navy, Government of Canada, National Defence, Royal Canadian. "Naval Reserve | Royal Canadian Navy". www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  16. "Canadian Navy: NAVRES – The Naval Reserve – Welcome aboard". Archived from the original on 2013-05-22. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
  17. Government of Canada, National Defence (n.d.). "navres-cffs". www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-11.
  18. "Fast tests keep new Canadian navy training ships on schedule". Diesel Progress North American Edition. Diesel & Gas Turbine Publications (April 2007). 1 April 2007.
  19. "Bill van Dinther | CNTHA". www.cntha.ca. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  20. "Careers | Canadian Armed Forces". forces.ca. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
  21. Defence, National. "Naval Reserve enrolls first candidate through Expedited Enrolment – Canada.ca". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  22. "Royal Canadian Navy Strategic Plan 2017-2022" (PDF). 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2019.

Further reading

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