Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction 01/15 – Reserve Entry Scheme – Officers, Chaplain Branch

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2015-02-26

Date of Modification: 2024-12-01

Application: This instruction applies to enrolment or transfer of officers of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) into the Chaplain Branch of the Primary Reserve (P Res).

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP).

Enquiries:

• Administrative Response Center (ARC) for policy
• Chaplain General (Chap Gen) for career information

2. Introduction

Introduction

2.1 The Reserve Entry Scheme – Officers (RESO) is a P Res officer production plan. It enables the CAF to maintain the optimal trained effective strength and production levels of P Res officers in military occupations by enrolling applicants or promoting or transferring CAF members who are in the process of completing the academic degree required for entry into the targeted officer military occupation.

Purpose

2.2 The purpose of this instruction is to elaborate selection and career policy specific to Chaplain candidates enrolled under the RESO.

2.3 This instruction must be read in conjunction with DAOD 5002-8, Reserve Entry Scheme – Officers.

3. Selection Process

Applicants

3.1 An applicant may be:

1. a civilian with or without prior CAF service;
2. a non-commissioned member (NCM) or officer of the Supplementary Reserve (Supp Res), the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS), and the Canadian Rangers, on sub-component transfer;
3. a P Res NCM or officer; or
4. a Regular Force (Reg F) NCM or officer on component transfer.

3.2 An applicant for RESO Chaplain may hold a baccalaureate degree, but not a Master of Divinity or equivalent.

Eligibility

3.3 An applicant for RESO Chaplain must meet all of the eligibility requirements specified in DAOD 5002-8.

3.4 An applicant must be enrolled in a post-secondary academic programme that leads to a Master of Divinity or equivalent, as specified in the Chaplain military officer occupation entry standard. Military occupation entry standards are found on the Director Personnel Generation Requirements (DPGR) intranet site.

3.5 An applicant from Quebec may be enrolled in a Bachelor of Theology from an accredited Quebec educational institution.

Assessment for Chaplaincy

3.6 A potential applicant for RESO Chaplain who contacts a P Res unit, or a Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre (CFRC) is to be referred to the Director Chaplain Operations 2-3 (Reserve and Cadet Chaplaincy) who counsels applicants and provides information on how to submit an application package to the Chaplain General (Chap Gen).

3.7 The Chap Gen determines suitability for the military chaplaincy and determines required numbers of RESO Chaplains.

Selection

3.8 The Chap Gen invites civilian applicants who meet initial criteria for the military chaplaincy to submit an application for enrolment through the nearest CFRC.

3.9 In-service applicants from the Reserve Force or the Reg F on component transfer who are found suitable for the military chaplaincy are directed to make an application for commissioning, occupation transfer or component transfer under the RESO through their home unit. The commanding officer (CO) refers these applicants to the appropriate brigade, base or wing personnel selection officer (PSO).

3.10 The CFRC, for civilian applicants, or PSO, for in-service applicants, confirms applicant eligibility for the RESO, confirms the applicant’s acceptance without condition in an appropriate academic degree program, and conducts the suitability assessment of the applicant for enrolment or transfer.

Enrolment or Transfer

3.11 The files of applicants found eligible and suitable for enrolment or transfer and approved by the Chap Gen are forwarded by the CFRC or the home unit to the Director Reserve Support Management, who is designated as the CO of the Military Personnel Command Primary Reserve List (MILPERSCOM PRL).

3.12 Selected RESO Chaplains are enrolled or transferred into positions on the MILPERSCOM PRL, as controlled by the Chap Gen. A RESO Chaplain must not occupy any chaplain position on a unit establishment in any environmental command.

Environment and Dress

3.13 All RESO Chaplains are enrolled or transferred into the Army environment.

4. Education and Training

Learning Plan

4.1 As specified in DAOD 5002-8, a RESO officer must produce a written plan outlining their intention for completing their academic degree, known as a learning plan. A RESO Chaplain must submit a copy of their learning plan to the Chap Gen annually.

4.2 Academic progress of RESO Chaplains must be monitored by the Chap Gen.

4.3 The progress of each RESO Chaplain towards ordination and recognition within their respective faith tradition must be reviewed annually by the Chap Gen.

Military Duty and Training

4.4 A RESO Chaplain does not belong to a P Res unit, and therefore does not normally participate in duty and training with a unit during the academic year.

4.5 A RESO Chaplain may apply to the Chap Gen for permission to participate in duty and training with a P Res unit on Class A service during the academic year, if the following conditions are met:

1. funding must be provided by the P Res unit;
2. the RESO Chaplain must remain on the MILPERSCOM PRL;
3. the RESO Chaplain must not fill a Chaplain position on a unit establishment, as they are not qualified; and
4. the RESO Chaplain must be under the direct supervision of a qualified Chaplain.

Summer Training

4.6 A RESO Chaplain is normally funded by the Chap Gen for a minimum of two summers of training, to include the basic military officer qualification (BMOQ), Phase 2 and Phase 3. Opportunities for ongoing training on either Class A or B employment may be provided with the approval of the Chap Gen.

5. Career Administration

Rank on Enrolment or Transfer

5.1 A selected applicant for RESO Chaplain who is not an officer on occupation transfer (OT) or component transfer is enrolled or transferred in the rank of officer cadet.

Promotion

5.2 A RESO Chaplain is promoted to the rank of second lieutenant on completion of BMOQ and one summer of on-job-training (Phase 2).

5.3 A former NCM, who has completed BMOQ equivalent and receives the qualification as a result of a prior learning assessment recognition (PLAR) process is promoted to the rank of second lieutenant on completion of Phase 2.

5.4 A RESO Chaplain is promoted to the rank of lieutenant on completion of their second summer of on-job-training (Phase 3).

5.5 A RESO Chaplain must not be promoted beyond the rank of lieutenant until completion of all of the professional and academic qualifications required for endorsement by the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy.

Career Pattern

5.6 On the completion of Phase 3 training, the Chap Gen must conduct an administrative review of a RESO Chaplain’s file in accordance with DAOD 5019-2, Administrative Review. Possible outcomes include:

1. continued employment on the PRL as approved by the Chap Gen;
2. transfer to the Supp Res pending completion of academic and professional qualifications;
3. military occupation transfer; or
4. release.

5.7 A RESO Chaplain who has been transferred to the Supp Res may apply to be transferred to a chaplain position in the P Res following completion of required academic and professional qualifications.

Component Transfer

5.8 A RESO Chaplain who has not completed professional and academic qualifications may be eligible to apply for component transfer to the Reg F under CAFMPI 12/06 – Subsidized Education for Entry-Level Masters in Physiotherapy, Masters in Social Work, Masters of Divinity - Regular Force.

5.9 A RESO Chaplain who has completed all required professional and academic qualifications may apply at any time for component transfer to the Reg F.

6. Authorities

Authority Table

6.1 The following table identifies the delegated authority:

7. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Associated DAOD

• DAOD 5002-0, Military Personnel Requirements and Production

Other References

• DAOD 5002-1, Enrolment
• DAOD 5002-3, Component and Sub-Component Transfer
• DAOD 5002-4, Supplementary Reserve
• DAOD 5002-8, Reserve Entry Scheme – Officers
• DAOD 5019-2, Administrative Review
• CFAO 49-10, Terms of Service – Officers – Primary Reserve (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CFAO 49-12, Promotion Policy – Officers – Primary Reserve (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CAFMPI 03/08, Canadian Forces Component Transfer and Component Transfer Career Programs
• CAFMPI 12/06, Subsidized Education for Entry-Level Masters in Physiotherapy, Masters in Social Work, Masters in Divinity – Regular Force