CF Pioneer

[Conker]

CADPAT TW has four specific colours — light green, dark green, brown, and black — and was first introduced in 1996 on the helmet cover for the new CG634 helmet then coming into service. At the same time, the pattern was also introduced on a new Soldier's Individual Camouflage Net. The CADPAT TW uniform allows Canadian soldiers protection from observation by the naked eye and night vision devices.

Just to add to what ex said...

[Pinard]

Originally Posted by ex

The Helmets and covers were the first pieces we received in the mid 90's.

ok didn't know!

[MiniMcNabb]

Were they issued the CF belt knife?

[ex]

Originally Posted by MiniMcNabb

Were they issued the CF belt knife?

Yes...Pioneers were issued this. Still have my Grohmann.

[MiniMcNabb]

We need a picture of a badass bearded MCLMM with a chainsaw and shovel straped to his 64 jump ruck.

[crazybagoham]

I just wish there was something a little more unique about their gear, they are just so badass and would make a unique loadout

[moz_boz]

These guys are the pinnacle of the Canadian Bad-ass...it is a shame with have done away with Pioneers.

Originally Posted by Ozone06

Please ignore the demotivator but would these guys be possibly part of the pioneers?

[QKLee11]

Originally Posted by Danke

Pioneers would do a few things, they were the Infantry's organic combat engineers.

You'd run the rubber boats crossing rivers, blow mortar pits with explosives, do all the NBCW testing and cleanup, lay and remove minefields, set claymores, tie lots of knots and work with ropes, fill lots of sandbags, set and remove booby traps, chop down trees and build bunkers with them, and other similar tasks.

You'd have a chainsaw, a carrier with a dozer blade, and lots of C-4. About the only piece of personal kit you'd have that was special was a crimper for setting blasting caps on det cord. It was a pretty good platoon to be in, a lot of hard work but maybe less bull. Put the crimper in your KFS carrier.

The traditional pioneer would to out way ahead of the main element with an axe or a pick and chop down trees to build bridges or clear other obstacles They did the real mountain man gig and were the blacksmiths too so shaving for daily parade wasn't required. The beard protects you from heat and slag.

At times the folks in the Pioneer platoon would also get to be regimental pioneers so they'd dress up in 1800s garb (leather apron and axe), wear a beard, and parade with the band or the colours.

I completed my Assault Pioneer Course in Gagetown 1993, one hell of a course. It was one of the most diverse positions in the Infantry...especially the Ordenance Training and blowing things up, like bridges, bunkers, making shape charges etc...fun course

[iceman3994]

Originally Posted by MiniMcNabb

Were they issued the CF belt knife?

Flight Engineers are also issued with this knife as well.

[ToRN]

Funny story about that...
Base clothing is so messed up. I'm a Combat Engineer, and when I went to get my Grohmann, I got told "You're not entitled, it's only for Flight Engineers"

.....Excuse me? the FE in FE Knife stands for Field Engineer (now called Combat Engineer) not Flight Engineer.

Mind you, this was 3 years ago, and I have since gotten my own equipment, bonus is I don't have to return it when I'm done

[Infidel]

My buddy from 3RCR informed me that they are looking into bringing back the Pioneers for the Light Infantry.

~Thanato

Originally Posted by Infidel

My buddy from 3RCR informed me that they are looking into bringing back the Pioneers for the Light Infantry.

~Thanato

Those rumors aren't new, I've also heard rumor awhile ago about Mortar Pl coming back to Combat Support Coy. At this point though, I wouldn't consider them to be anything more then just rumor.

Only thing that was old and gotten rid of that is coming back is Assault Troop for the Armour, at least for the RCDs. I think the LdSH is doing the same, or considering it.

[Cpt- Lovegrove]

personaly i think all the canadain forces should have the option of a beard, cause they look bad ass.

[5kull]

In the 80's the beard was to distinguish them easily on the battlefield. The assault pioneer was part of an infantry battalion, he was very important because he would have the special equipment and training to breach enemy fortifications, disarm mines, breach barbwire, destroy fortified positions (concrete bunkers) etc. At least that's what I was told when I was attached to the infantry, I was signals The rest of us were told we couldn't wear the beard because of the gas mask.

[bizkilter]

I've heard the same rumour. Maybe bringing the pioneers back in that every company would have a pioneer det. So much of the CF is in flux right now though.