The Primary Reserve is a reserve force of the Canadian Forces

Canadian Forces

The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...

. It is the largest of the four sub-components of the CF reserves; those being the Primary Reserve, the Supplementary Reserve

Canadian Forces Supplementary Reserve

Canadian Forces Supplementary Reserve are inactive or retired members of the Canadian Forces who are willing and available for active service when requested....

, the Canadian Rangers

Canadian Rangers

The Canadian Rangers are a sub-component of the Canadian Forces reserve that provide a military presence in Canada's sparsely settled northern, coastal, and isolated areas. Formally established on May 23, 1947, a primary role of this part-time force is to conduct surveillance or sovereignty...

, and the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service

Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service

The Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service is a sub-component of the Canadian Forces Reserve Force whose members have undertaken as their primary duty the supervision, administration and training of cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers....

 (formerly the Cadet Instructors Cadre

Cadet Instructors Cadre

The Cadet Instructors Cadre Branch consists of approximately 7,500 Canadian Forces officers whose primary duty is the safety, supervision, administration and training of Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air cadets...

).

The reserve force is represented, though not commanded, at the national level by the Chief of Reserves and Cadets. This is usually a Major General

Major General

Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...

 or Rear Admiral

Rear Admiral

Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...

.

The Primary Reserve comprises soldiers, sailors, and airmen who train to the level of and interchangeable with their Regular Force

Regular Force

In the Canadian Forces, a Regular Force unit or person is part of the full-time military, as opposed to being part of the Primary Reserve.Regular Force personnel are employed full-time, and have usually signed long-term contracts committing them to regular service...

 counterparts and are posted to CF operations or duties on an on-going basis.