Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instructions 05/25 – Attached posting of Reserve Force (RES F) members to the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG)

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2025-07-11

Application: This instruction applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Reserve Force (Res F) of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), except for members of the Supplementary Reserve (Supp Res). 

Note - To be eligible for Class "A", "B" or "C" Reserve Service, Supp Res members are required to be component or sub-component transferred to an establishment position within another CAF component or sub-component

Supersession:

• CANFORGEN 166/22, Posting Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members to the CAF Transition Group (CAF TG).

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Administrative Response Centre (ARC) for policy-related enquiries, and CAF Transition Centres (CAF TC) for individual specific enquiries.

2. Definitions

Attached Posting (affectation temporaire)

The assignment of a CAF member, for more than 30 days but less than 365 days, from an establishment position in one organization to an establishment position in a different organization that has a different department identifier. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 696949)

Members (militaires)

Officers and non-commissioned members of the Res F, except for members of the Supp Res, are identified in this instruction as “members.”

Transfer – Reserve Force (mutation - Force de réserve)

The transfer of a Reserve Force member, with the member's consent, between components of the Canadian Forces or between sub-components of the Res F and without the member's consent, between sub-components of the Res F, in accordance with the Queen's Regulations and Orders (QR&O) Article 10.06, Transfer between sub-components of the Reserve Force, when the transfer will not increase the member's obligations. (Defence Terminology Bank record number record 695798)

Service Personnel Holding List (SPHL) (Liste des effectifs du personnel non disponible (LEPND))

The national-level accounting list of CAF members posted to the CAF TG for return-to-duty purposes or transition to civilian life. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 697008)

3. Policy direction

Context

3.1 The CAF TG is a strategic CAF asset which contributes to operational effectiveness by both supporting ill or injured CAF personnel in their reintegration and supporting the readiness of CAF units.

Policy statement

3.2 This instruction provides information and guidance related to the attached posting of members to the CAF TG where they will be provided a supportive environment to recover and return to being fit for general duties. When this cannot be achieved, an attached posting to the CAF TG will enhance their preparation for transition to post-military life.

4. Operating Principles

General

4.1 Participation in a Return to Duty (RTD) program at unit level should normally be considered as the first option when the prognosis supports a probable return to duty. Supporting RTD plans at unit level promotes loyalty to CAF members, as well as providing the ill or injured members with support in a familiar setting, thereby increasing the potential of retention in the CAF. 

4.2 An attached posting to the CAF TG for recovery should only be considered when unit level options, such as the RTD program, require greater support where the members’ prognosis would restrict assigned duties and full-time employment for a minimum period of six months. When appropriate, an attached posting will allow members to focus on their recovery and rehabilitation while receiving appropriate support toward their return to being fit for general duties or preparation for transition, based on their individual prognosis and circumstances.

4.3 A key benefit for an attached posting to the CAF TG is the supportive leadership provided by the CAF TC Support Platoon. It is recognized that many Res F units are not geographically collocated near a CAF TC. In those cases, and like the approach to Regular Force (Reg F) personnel, support for ill or injured members, and for their chain of command (CoC), may be remotely provided regardless of the current parent unit location. In exceptional circumstances where an attached posting to a CAF TC in a different geographic area is deemed necessary for the support and welfare of members or unit operations, the parent unit Commanding Officer (CO) should liaise with the nearest CAF Transition Unit (CAF TU) CO to discuss potential coordination of available resources to ensure that supportive leadership and medical support remains available to members during any period of attached posting to the CAF TG.

Note - When members join a Res F unit, they maintain social and emotional connections with it. An attached posting to the CAF TG will not prevent them from participating in activities with their former unit to preserve their affiliation, as long as it aligns with their medical employment limitations (MELs).

Eligibility

4.4 Members who are eligible to be attached posted to the CAF TG are those whose MELs and prognosis prohibit the performance of their duties in their current occupation and unit, for a minimum period of six months, and who:

1. are serving under an extension of Class “C” Reserve Service or in receipt of Res F compensation pursuant to Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) 210.72, Reserve Force – Compensation during a period of injury, disease or illness (RFC);
2. have been approved participation on a Vocational Rehabilitation Program for Serving Members (VRPSM); or
3. are eligible for Reserve Transition Support (RTS).

Note - The RTS policy eligibility criteria are found in the CAFMPI 06/25, Reserve Transition Support (RTS) Policy for Reserve Force (Res F) Members who are Ill or Injured.

End of Eligibility

4.5 Members remain eligible until:

1. their MELs no longer prohibit them to return fit for general duties in the Res F; 
2. the end of their period of Reserve Service under the RTS policy;
3. the end of their extension of Class “C” Reserve Service pursuant to CBI 210.72;
4. the end of the RFC pursuant to CBI 210.72; or
5. they are released from the CAF.

Note - To return fit for general duties, the members’ circumstances giving rise to the limitations are resolved.

Management Authority

4.6 The authority to attach post members to the CAF TG is the Commander of the CAF TG (Comd CAF TG) or their delegate. When members are attached posted to the CAF TG, the responsibility for their remuneration (continuation of pay services through the Central Computation Pay System, Revised Pay System for the Reserves or pay actions for those in receipt of RFC), is the responsibility of the Management Authority (MA). 

4.7 Members, at the request of their CO, will be transferred from their parent unit to the Military Personnel Command (MILPERSCOM) Primary Reserve List (PRL), when applicable, followed by an attached posting to the CAF TG, and will be administratively managed by the Director Reserve Support Management (DRSM), the MA. If members are transferred to a different PRL, then the MA will be the administrative unit/section supporting that specific PRL.

4.8 Administrative Review (AR) of the MELs is under the authority of Director Military Careers Administration. The AR/MELs correspondence is a shared responsibility between the MA and the respective CAF TU.

Leave

4.9 Members attached posted to the CAF TG are subject to the normal administrative procedures of the CAF, and as such: 

1. will use annual leave in accordance with the Canadian Forces Leave Policy Manual; and
2. if applicable, are not permitted to accumulate annual leave; annual leave earned during a period of Reserve Service shall normally be taken prior to the scheduled end of the period of Reserve Service. When a period of Reserve Service is about to end and unused annual leave remains, refer to the Canadian Forces Leave Policy Manual for options.

4.10 Although members on sick leave cannot be ordered on annual leave, the CO must ensure that annual leave is taken between periods of sick leave, whenever possible. Members participating in a full-time VRPSM are not excused from taking annual leave, and they must expend their annual leave entitlement within the constraints of the program.

5. Process

Request for Attached Posting to the CAF TG

5.1 A parent unit CO may initiate a request for a member’s attached posting to the CAF TG based on a recommendation from one of the following individuals:

1. their supervisor;
2. the Base/Wing Surgeon (B/W Surg); or
3. the CO of a CAF TU with input from the Officer Commanding of a CAF TC.

Note - Members must be provided with reasonable notice and an opportunity to make representations verbally or in writing to the parent unit CO prior to the decision to initiate a request being made. Should members not be available to make representations due to medical condition or other factors, the request may be made without the members’ representations. The reason for not including a members’ representations must be indicated in the request.

5.2 The parent unit CO initiates a member’s attached posting to the CAF TG by completing form DND 4452. The CO then discusses the request with the gaining CAF TU CO and the MA. After the recommendation, the parent unit CO forwards form DND 4452 to the B/W Surg, who confirms the member’s MELs, prognosis regarding the member’s capability to perform their duties in their occupation and rank, and estimated timeframe for returning fit for general duties. The request is then reviewed by the CAF TU CO, the Director Casualty Support Management (DCSM), and finally considered by Comd CAF TG, or their delegate, for approval.

5.3 Upon approval, the MA will transfer the member from their parent unit to the MILPERSCOM PRL and will then proceed with the attached posting of the member to the CAF TG in an SPHL position. The responsibility for their remuneration is the responsibility of the MA. 

Note 1 - The transfer to MILPERSCOM PRL, as outlined in this instruction, and any changes to the member’s current period of Reserve Service, are determined by the CAF CoC and not voluntarily initiated by the member. Such a transfer will not increase the service obligations of a Res F member.

Note 2 - Members of the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS) and Canadian Rangers (CR), who are eligible for RTS, will be offered a period of Reserve Service under the RTS policy while remaining in their respective organization’s positions.

Return fit for general duties

5.4 Members who become able to return fit for general duties will be transferred out of CAF TG by the MA, to a Res F position in another Unit or a PRL. It is not an entitlement for a member to return to a period of Reserve Service (Class “A”, “B” or “C”) held prior to their attached posting to the CAF TG.

Members’ Recourse

5.5 Members not supported for an attached posting to the CAF TG by their parent unit CO are invited to contact a CAF TC for information on available support options. Additionally, members dissatisfied with a decision made under this instruction may exercise their right to grieve in accordance with QR&O Article 7.01, Right to Grieve, or contact a Conflict and Complaint Management Services Centre.

Members Serving Outside Canada (OUTCAN)

5.6 In circumstances when members become ill or are injured while serving outside of Canada (OUTCAN), they must be repatriated for administrative and medical services. The CAFMPI 20/04, Administrative Policy of Class “A”, Class “B” and Class “C” Reserve Service, provide information in this regard.

6. Reporting and Tracking

General

6.1 The Comd CAF TG is responsible for its own performance measurement framework, which includes creating, reviewing, and updating its policies and outcomes based on monitoring and evaluation. Under the umbrella of CAF TG, the Analytics Support Centre (ASC), may be leveraged for data collection and analysis.

Monitoring and Evaluating

6.2 To prepare members to return fit for general duties, or transition to post-military life, the current policy aims to offer eligible members sufficient support for recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration. Notwithstanding the reality that ill or injured members demand an individualized level of support to meet the needs unique to each member, there may be trends which are more common where lessons learned can be used to develop more efficient service delivery methods. An awareness of the proportion of members who can return fit for general duties and those who transition out of the CAF after an attached posting to the CAF TG, provide a way to better forecast attrition, as well as ensure the target population receives appropriate support. That is, support and services must be geared towards the demographics of the eligible members.

6.3 Monitoring the length of time members are attached posted to the CAF TG will help ensure they receive the appropriate support. The RTD program’s goal is to increase retention of members who have experienced an illness or injury. Collecting data on the number of members who are participating in the RTD program and resume their duties will help with evaluating the effectiveness of the RTD program. Just the same, it is necessary to track the number of members who are supported under the current policy who participate in the VRSPM. This will ensure these members receive the adequate duration of transition support. This policy will be reviewed two years after its implementation to ensure its efficacy and address any unintended consequences. There are no unintended consequences anticipated at this time.

7. Education and training

General

7.1 Members are to consult DAOD 5018-4, Return to Duty Program for CAF Members, and DAOD 5030-0, Transition to post-military life, as well as Annex B of the related CAFMPI 03/25, and the CAFMPI 06/25 (RTS), for additional information on programs and supports provided to ill or injured members. For more information, members are encouraged to engage with a CAF TC staff which can provide additional resources and support.

8. Responsibilities

Responsibilities Table

8.1 The following table identifies the responsibilities associated with this instruction: 

9. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Associated DAOD

• QR&O, Volume 1 - Chapter 7, Grievances
• QR&O, Volume 1 - Chapter 9, Reserve Service
• QR&O, Volume 1 – Chapter 10, Transfer, Attachment, Secondment and Loan
• CBI 210.72, Reserve Force - Compensation During A Period Of Injury, Disease Or Illness
• DAOD 2020-0, Reserve Force
• DAOD 5002-3, Component and Sub-Component Transfer
• DAOD 5018-2, Report of Injuries and Exposure to Toxic Substances
• DAOD 5018-4, Return to Duty Program for CAF Members
• DAOD 5019-2, Administrative Review
• DAOD 5023-0, Universality of Service
• DAOD 5023-1, Minimum Operational Standards Related to Universality of Service
• DAOD 5030-0, Transition to post-military life

Other References

• CAFMPI 20/04, Administrative Policy of Class “A”, Class “B” and Class “C” Reserve Service
• CAFMPI 03/25, Canadian Armed Forces Transition to post-military life
• CAFMPI 06/25, Reserve Transition Support (RTS) Policy for Reserve Force (Res F) Members who are Ill or Injured
• CFMO 4090-02, Interim Guidance for Delivery of Health Care to Reserve Force Personnel (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CANFORGEN 089/03, Special Duty Areas (SDA)/Special Duty Operations (SDO) (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CANFORGEN 174/07, Extension of Class “C” Reserve Service for Personnel whose injury or illness was sustained on special duty service (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• Canadian Forces Leave Policy Manual
• Canadian Armed Forces Vocational Rehabilitation for Serving Members (VRPSM) Guide (Available on request to the CAF TC)
• My Transition Guide, Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
• The Transition Group: Informing Your Team: Communication Toolkit (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• The Guide to Benefits, Programs, and Services, for Ill, Injured, or Deceased CAF Members, Veterans and their Families
• DND 4452, Request for Reserve Transition Support (RTS) and/or Attached Posting to the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG) - (Reserve Force Supported Members) (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CF 899 - Reserve Force - Route Letter and Attendance Report Class “B” Reserve Service (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• Class "B" Reserve Service Statement of Understanding (SOU) (Available on request at the MILPERSCOM PRL)