The displacing of Reg Force members with reservists is a travesty, and not operationally required. Furthermore, the idea that the reserves even could be deployed as formed units seems a little iffy to me.
Some units in LFWA are unable to even raise a Platoon of reservists for a BTE, either as the trg audience or support, yet when the opportunity to deploy arises, there are dozens of volunteers - from the same unit. How is it that there is enough time to be deployed, and a willingness to "sell your dog, divorce your wife" :
for a tour, but not to do something as simple as a few platoon attacks on the may long weekend? Where is the "commitment" that all of these devoted reservists have then? The same logic applies to percieved "gucci" courses like BMO, Para, Recce etc. The eddies will beat down your door to get on one, but when they are given the opportunity to do a full kit double door mass night into Wx, theres not a windmill to be seen - even if they have an "airborne platoon".
I agree with Kev and Teddy that the reservists that do deploy are there for no good operational reason, other than that tours are somehow seen as some sort of operational buffet, where everyone deserves a taste.
Also, the idea that somehow reservists are "sacrificing" so much to go on tours is BS. If it's such a sacrifice, don't go. There are tons of reg force guys dying to get overseas.
While the regs might get tapped providing enough troops for A-stan in the future, and require reservists then, let's cross that bridge when we come to it. The LACK of opportunity to deply is the major reason most reg force Ptes get out after their first contract, and alot more resources are put into training a regular than a part timer.
Economically speaking, reservists are cheap, and relatively easy to train. Reg force soldiers are expensive, consuming pay, pensions, benefits and expensive training ALL the time. Why would the army use the militia if they have a large pool of untapped resources that are already bought and paid for? Thats a waste of already limited resources.
Finally. The army is supposed to grow by five thousand souls in the next few years. Where is the incentive to join the regs if reservists are permitted to take advantage of the benefits of being a civvy, and then go overseas to boot?