Question NW2321 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

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25 August 2017 - NW2321

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Whether, with reference to land borders being monitored and patrolled by the 15 sub-units, 70% of our borders are monitored and/or patrolled by Reserve Force members; if not, what are the relevant details; (2) what (a) are the age groups and (b) is the number of Reserve Force members who belong to the specified age groups; (3) whether the budget for the Reserve Force has been cut; if so, (a) was this cut by 30% and (b) how will the objectives still be optimised; (4) whether a budget cut will affect the (a) protection and (b) increased risks of our land borders; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

a. Rank Group differs from 21 to 68 years of age.

b. Age 21 2 x Members

Age 23 6 x Members

Age 24 19 x Members

Age 25 16 x Members

Age 26 48 x Members

Age 27 47 x Members

Age 28 56 x Members

Age 29 56 x Members

Age 30 42 x Members

Age 31 48 x Members

Age 32 40 x Members

Age 33 60 x Members

Age 34 42 x Members

Age 35 35 x Members

Age 36 40 x Members

Age 37 33 x Members

Age 38 22 x Members

Age 39 28 x Members

Age 40 40 x Members

Age 41 48 x Members

Age 42 58 x Members

Age 43 61 x Members

Age 44 39 x Members

Age 45 85 x Members

Age 46 50 x Members

Age 47 34 x Members

Age 48 33 x Members

Age 49 49 x Members

Age 50 40 x Members

Age 51 27 x Members

Age 52 18 x Members

Age 53 20 x Members

Age 54 11 x Members

Age 55 19 x Members

Age 56 9 x Members

Age 57 6 x Members

Age 58 2 x Members

Age 59 6 x Members

Age 60 7 x Members

Age 61 2 x Members

Age 62 2 x Members

Age 63 2 x Members

Age 64 3 x Members

Age 65 1 x Members

Age 68 1 x Members

Question 3: whether the budget for the Reserve Force has been cut; if so (a) was this cut by 30% and (b) how will the objectives still be optimised?

REPLY:

The budget reduction for Reserve Fore utilization in the DOD had not impact on the deployments such as Op CORONA. Currently the Force Providers provide additional Reserve Force members than budgeted for.

Question 4: whether a budget cut will affect the (a) protection and (b) increased risks of our land borders; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

Force Providers cannot commit themselves with the current ratio of 2/3 Regular Force members (66.6%) and 1/3 Reserve Force members (33.3%) for Op CORONA. Currently Joint Operations Division receives 46% + Reserve Force members. If a budget cut in Op CORONA occurs, the risk will be several critical vacant posts; impact on the safe-guarding of the borders, medical support to deployed members and protection cannot be executed.

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