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Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instructions 03/25 – Canadian Armed Forces Transition to Post-Military Life

Table of Contents

  1. Identification
  2. Definitions
  3. Policy Direction
  4. Operating Principle
  5. Responsibilities
  6. References
  7. Annexes

 

   

Chef of Military Personnel Crest

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2025-05-20

Application: This instruction applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Regular Force (Reg F) and the Reserve Force (Res F) of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members). This instruction applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) who act as managers or supervisors of CAF members.

Supersession:

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries:

2. Definitions

Digital Transition Centre (DTC) (centre de transition numérique (CTN))

The DTC is a central place on the Internet for all CAF members, veterans, and their families to access military to civilian transition (MCT) information and resources, as well as to virtually manage their MCT journey with key enablers such as transition counselling, transition training and education, transition documentation/administration, and a national resource directory (NRD) of trusted supporting organizations.

Domains of well-being (domaines du bien-être)

A quality-of-life indicator that can be measured.

Note - Domains of well-being are interdependent and include health, finances, housing and physical environment, social integration, purpose, life skills and preparedness, and cultural and social environment. (Defence Terminology Bank (DTB) record number 696980)

Family Transition Advisor (FTA) (conseiller en transition de la famille)

An expert from Military Family Services (MFS) who helps ensure the domains of well-being of the family are considered and aligned as a whole family unit.

Release Administrator (RA) (administrateur de la libération)

Provides release administration services and support including assistance with ceasing of military pay and allowances, and provision of information, and guidance to CAF members in preparation for post release.

Services Coordinator (Svcs Coord) (coordonnateur des services (Coord svcs))

A DND employee in the CAF TC, who provides professional, personalized, and standardized transition, reintegration, casualty support services and guidance to injured and ill CAF members, veterans, and their families. Provides ongoing monitoring/coordination/and/or provision of casualty support services and benefits to CAF members, their families, and the families of the fallen.

Services Manager (Svcs Mgr) (gestionnaire des services (Gest svc))

A senior casualty administration and benefits specialist from a CAF TC, responsible for the management and coordination of a team of Svcs Coords who focus the delivery of standardized, professional, and individualized casualty support services, benefits and programs for CAF members, veterans, and their families and those who have died in service. A Svcs Mgr will coordinate Integrated Transition Plans (ITPs) for those members with complex transition needs. Casualty support services include programs focused on exploring other employment options following release.

Transition Advisor (TA) (conseiller en transition)

A TA is a DND employee in the CAF TC responsible for implementing the MCT process and providing guiding support to members and their families undergoing transition.

Transition Manager (TM) (gestionnaire en transition)

A TM is a DND employee responsible for the management and coordination of a team of Transition Advisors who provide guided support to transitioning members.

Transition Personnel Selection Officer (TPSO) (officier de sélection du personnel de transition (OSPT))

A TPSO provides retention and vocational counselling for the entire CAF transition population and oversees transition training and education for their regions.

Transition Plan (TP) (plan de transition)

A personalized plan developed by the CAF member with a guided support team from the CAF TC. A Transition Plan will include tasks related to the domains of well-being that are personalized, contain key goals/objectives, requirements, and associated timelines as appropriate. The intent is to assist with CAF member preparation for post-military life, which facilitates a successful transition and ensures the well-being of members and their families.

3. Policy Direction

Context

3.1 In accordance with DAOD 5030-0, Transition to Post-Military Life, the DND and the CAF are committed to providing services and support that are personalized to the unique circumstances and needs of CAF members throughout their transition to post-military life.

3.2 Approved activities associated with transition to post-military life are duties for CAF members who choose to participate in those activities.

Policy Statement

3.3 The purpose of this instruction is to provide direction on the resources and support to be provided to CAF members in their transition to post-military life.

3.4 CAF members and their families shall be provided, at a minimum, information and guidance regarding the transition programs, services and support available to them, and the appropriate time to complete transition activities contained in their Transition Plan as they navigate their departure from their present CAF occupation.

4. Operating Principles

General

4.1 Transition support and guidance is provided to eligible CAF members and their families throughout their career. It is the responsibility of all DND/CAF leaders and supervisors in the chain of command to ensure that eligible CAF members are provided with the appropriate support and time to participate in transition counselling, transition training and education, release administration, and are informed of the transition services, programs and support available at the nearest CAF TC in various formats such as in person, in print or online.

Eligibility

4.2 The transition programs and services eligibility criteria are listed in the Annexes of this instruction.

5. Responsibilities

Responsibilities table

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

The, or an...

has or have the responsibility to… 
Canadian Defence Academy (CDA)
  • manage the activities of the Canadian Armed Forces Self-Development Program (CAFSDP).
Director General Military Transition (DGMT)
  • review and maintain policies, programs, and services related to transitioning members; and
  • lead interdepartmental and other service delivery agreements.
Director General Compensation and Benefits (DGCB)
  • review and maintain policies, programs, and services related to compensation and benefits in support of transitioning members.
Director Transition Services and Policies (DTSP)
  • oversee the MCT process, digitalization efforts, and the development and maintenance of transition training and education tools.
Director Casualty Support Management (DCSM)
  • oversee the services provided by the Vocational Rehabilitation Program for Serving Members (VRPSM) for Reg F and Res F members who meet the required eligibility criteria.
Unit Commanding Officer (CO)
  • support the transition process in support of a CAF member’s transition plan to include, but not limited to, providing time for transition, helping coordinate transition activities, organising the Depart with Dignity, and performing a Unit Retention Interview.
  • recommend or approve the release and initiate the request for a member posting/transfer/temporary assignment to the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG).
  • retain the discretion to approve or deny an eligible member’s participation in the VRPSM and to set the limits of their participation.
CAF TU CO
  • Ensure accessible transition training, education, and service are available to CAF members for either in-person service at a CAF TC or remotely across their region.
  • For any barriers which cannot be addressed through local resources, ensure that service delivery limitations are reported to the CAF TG HQ for situational awareness.
CAF TC
  • recommend a release date change for medical releases, as applicable, to the Release Authority;
  • assist, with other partners, the members’ transition to the care of Veterans Affairs Canada;
  • manage the posting or transfer process for ill or injured members from their previous unit to the CAF TC; and
  • administer eligible support to members and their families.
CAF TC Svcs Mgr
  • provide oversight of Svcs Coords for medically releasing members and coordinate the development of an Integrated Transition Plan.
CAF TC TA
  • provide personalized coaching for all releasing members and assist Svcs Coords with the MCT process for medically releasing members.
CAF TC TPSO
  • coordinate and provide transition training and counselling on educational opportunities and vocational options.
CAF TC Svcs Coords
  • provide personalized coaching, particularly for all releasing members, and inform them of the benefits, services & programs available.
CAF Long Term Disability Vocational Rehabilitation Program Counsellor
  • assist the member in determining the best training plan and program as per section 3.4 of this Annex B of this instruction.

6. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Associated DAOD

Other References

7. Annexes

  1. Annex A - Programs and Services Available to Support Transition to Post-Military Life
  2. Annex B - Programs and Services Available to Support Ill and Injured members in their Transition to Post-Military

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