Reconstitution

Reconstitution is a top priority for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Department of National Defence (DND). Following a deliberate and collaborative planning process the Chief of the Defence Staff and Deputy Minister will soon issue formal direction on Reconstitution.

Canadian Army (CA) Reconstitution efforts will be focused on working within a CAF framework to meet the personnel generation needs of the near-term while preparing to meet longer-term modernization requirements. This Transitional Operation will be a significant change to operations are conducted in the CA and will see individual training and leadership production get more focus and attention while we prepare for the influx of soldiers that will be required in the coming years.

Key to Reconstitution is having the right number of soldiers for the tasks at hand. Currently, the CA is experiencing a personnel shortage as a result of various factors including recruiting and retention issues.  The middle rank level, master corporal, sergeant and captain, are the most in-demand ranks for both institutional and operational requirements.

The CA must not only address the deficit but, in accordance with ongoing modernization initiatives, take steps to ensure it has the personnel necessary to fulfill its mission well into the future.

The CA will:

• Decentralize a portion of its Operational Functional Point (OFP) training down to the unit level and realign Collective Training requirements to decrease demand on personnel and resources;
• Conduct a trial with the Infantry corps to decentralize basic training. What we learn may be applied permanently as a new way to qualify soldiers;
• Reconstitute a central Signals Regiment, to champion and lead the CA digitalization effort, and house our central cyber defensive capacity and mission assurance;
• Cancel or significantly scale down commitments such a Nijmegen, competitions, and ceremonial duties to maintain our ability to meet Government of Canada objectives as the Reconstitution process unfolds;
• Work in collaboration with other DND stakeholders to addresses culture and professionalism deficiencies, ensure operations are targeted and aligned with capabilities, and prioritize modernization in order to lead the CA back to health, while ensuring the operational readiness of the CAF;
• In coordination with Chief Military Personnel (CMP), revise training and retention. In these efforts the CA will use temporary measures to ensure the swiftest and most efficient return to health possible while adopting cultural and professional practices that will be key to future success.

Reconstitution of the CA will be a multi-phase process:

• Reorganization (change the structure): take a thoughtful approach to allotting resources – people and funding – in support of growth while also continuing to meet operational commitments;
• Regeneration (recruit and retain): work in collaboration with Military Personnel Command to support increased recruitment while preparing for anticipated growth in recruitment;
• Rehabilitation (individual and collective training): ensure the reconstituted CA is postured for the modern security environment as described in Advancing with Purpose: The Canadian Army Modernization Strategy.