Rangers and the Canadian Forces

The Army has a Total Force structure, which integrates the Regular Force and Reserve Force components. Both components consist of fulltime and part-time military personnel, but with differing mandates. The Regular Force is permanently maintained in order to provide a ready response capability, while the primary role of the Reserve Force is to provide augmentation, sustainment and support to deployed forces, and also to provide 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

Unlike the other three components, officers and non-commissioned members of the Primary Reserve may be ordered to perform such duty and training that is required of them. Members of the Primary Reserve fall into one of five elements: Naval Reserve, Militia, Air Reserve, Communication Reserve, and NDHQ Primary Reserve List.

Canadian Rangers are non-commissioned members of the Canadian Forces Reserve. They are volunteers who hold themselves in readiness for service but are not required to undergo annual training. Canadian Rangers are obliged to serve only when placed on active service by the Governor-In-Council or when called out in an emergency. Since no training obligations exist, Canadian Rangers must be in good health and be able to effectively live off the land in their area. Canadian Rangers rarely operate as individuals but are frequently active as patrols or groups.

Command and Control

Command and Control of the Canadian Rangers is divided between the Chief of the Land Staff (CLS) and Canadian Forces Northern Area (CFNA). Canada is divided into five geographic regions (CRPGs -; Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups), each of which has a HQ or headquarters responsible for Canadian Ranger issues.

Since the Canadian Rangers are Reservists however, policy and budget control belongs to the Chief of Land Staff. To this effect, the Canadian Ranger national authority is located in Ottawa.

Staff from the five Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups meet bi-annually to review areas of common interest and responsibility.

Location of Canadian Ranger Patrols

Chief of the Land Staff

2 CRPG - LFQA (Quebec)

3 CRPG - LFCA (Ontario)

4 CRPG - LFWA (British Columbia)

5 CRPG - LFAA (Newfoundland and Labrador)

Canadian Forces Northern Area

1 CRPG (Yukon Territory, Northwest Territory, Nunavut)

At the patrol level

Canadian Rangers receive nominal reimbursement for their service. They receive 12 days pay annually in addition to the cost of wear-and-tear on their personal vehicles and equipment, which is covered by the government during official exercises. Canadian Rangers who are employed with the Junior Canadian Ranger Programme are paid for service in this capacity.

Canadian Rangers elect their patrols leaders (Canadian Ranger Sergeants) as opposed to the traditional Canadian Forces promotion practices. The majority of Canadian Rangers are paid in the rank of Canadian Ranger (private) with the exception of the patrol leader (Canadian Ranger Sergeant) and section leader (master corporal and corporals), who receive appropriate compensation for their rank.

At the headquarters level

In each of the five Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups there is Regular Force or Reserve member (Canadian Ranger Instructor) who is responsible for performing periodic reviews, visits and inspections of the patrols. The Canadian Ranger Instructor interacts the Canadian Ranger Sergeants in his or her area on a regular basis to ensure frequent and open communication between the field (patrol) and the headquarters.

Headquarters responsibilities also include personnel, logistics, pay and administrative support, as well as ensuring delivery and maintenance of Canadian Ranger uniforms, equipment and training aids.

The five CRPG headquarters are located as follows:

• 1 CRPG - Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
• 2 CRPG - St.-Jean, Quebec
• 3 CRPG - Borden, Ontario
• 4 CRPG - Victoria, British Columbia
• 5 CRPG - Gander, Newfoundland