Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instructions 06/25 – Reserve Transition Support policy for Reserve Force members who are ill or injured

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.

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 of the CAF, except for members of the Supp Res, are identified in this instruction as “members”.

Reserve Service (service de réserve)

Reserve Service is as defined in the Queen’s Regulations and Orders (QR&O) article 9.06 (Class “A” Reserve Service), article 9.07 (Class “B” Reserve Service) and article 9.08 (Class “C” Reserve Service). 

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)

3. Policy direction

Context

3.1 The CAF is committed to providing services and support that are personalized to the unique circumstances and needs of CAF members.

3.2 The mission of the CAF Transition Group (CAF TG) is to provide support to CAF members and their families, especially those who are ill or injured. In seeking to deliver on its strategic vision, CAF TG is committed to provide casualty and transition support to CAF members in their transition back to duty or to civilian life.

Policy statement

3.3 This instruction allows eligible members on a period of full-time Reserve Service greater than 180 days, who suffer from an illness or injury, regardless if it is attributable to service or not, to be offered a period of Reserve Service while being supported by the CAF TG, until they have either returned fit for general duties in the Res F, or are released from the CAF.

4. Operating principles

General

4.1 Members who suffer from an illness or injury which occurs during a period of full-time Reserve Service greater than 180 days, who have been assigned medical employment limitations (MELs), and whose prognosis and circumstances would restrict their assigned duties and full-time employment for a minimum of six months, may be eligible for Reserve Transition Support (RTS) pursuant to this instruction.

4.2 CAF TG will offer a Class “B” period of Reserve Service of a maximum of three years, to eligible members, immediately following the termination, or early cessation, of the period of Reserve Service during which the illness or injury occurred. The new period of Reserve Service under the RTS policy, of an initial one-year period, will commence only once the request is approved using form 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). Members in receipt of an annuity under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act are subject to the limitations of Reserve Service in accordance with section 3.7 of CAFMPI 20/04, Administrative Policy of Class “A”, Class “B” and Class “C” Reserve Service. The RTS policy is a career management tool for the purposes of CAFMPI 20/04, therefore, an exception to the notification of Class "B" Reserve Service Opportunities for members eligible for the RTS policy, is not required.

Note 1 - Members of the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS) and Canadian Rangers (CR), who meet eligibility requirements, will be offered a period of Reserve Service under the RTS policy funded by CAF TG while remaining in their respective organization’s positions.

Note 2 - A Parent Unit Commanding Officer (CO) may submit a request under the RTS policy for members, while keeping them within their organization, rather than request their attached posting to the CAF TG. Examples of where such a request may be considered when CAF TG is unable to provide leadership due to the distance between the CAF TC and the supported member, or where an attached posting of the member to the CAF TG would negatively impact their recovery and reintegration into their duties. In such cases the CO is encouraged to liaise with the CAF TU CO to discuss potential options and must provide justifications for the request in Section 2B of the form DND 4452. The justifications provided will be considered by the Commander (Comd) CAF TG. Approval will be considered when it is shown that the member will be in a supportive environment with effective leadership and able to focus on recovery and rehabilitation during the period of Reserve Service pursuant to the RTS policy.

4.3 During this period of service the members may be eligible to the following programs and services (this list is not exhaustive):

1. access to medical treatment and/or rehabilitation;
2. service benefits for ill or injured members;
3. Return to Duty program (RTD);
4. CAF Long Term Disability (CAF LTD) Vocational Rehabilitation program; and
5. transition programs and services including the Vocational Rehabilitation Program for Serving Members (VRPSM) and the Complex Transition Support (CTS).

4.4 The RTS policy also applies to the transition period pursuant to the CTS policy, Annex B of CAFMPI 03/25, Canadian Armed Forces Transition to post-military life, should the member be assessed by a Nurse Case Manager as having complex transition needs.

4.5 In consultation with the approving authorities listed in the Defence Administrative Orders and Directives (DAOD) 5002-3, Component and Sub-Component Transfer, CAF TG will also facilitate the transfer to the COATS and the CR for those members who are interested in continued military service and able to meet the respective eligibility requirements for these Reserve sub-components.

Eligibility

4.6 The members who are eligible for the RTS policy are those who:

1. are not in receipt of Reserve Force – Compensation during a period of injury, disease or illness (RFC) (Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) 210.72) or an income replacement under the Government Employees Compensation Act (GECA); and
2. are on an uninterrupted period of full-time Reserve Service, including back-to-back periods pursuant to section 3.10 of the CAFMPI 20/04, greater than 180 consecutive days and:
   1. suffer from an illness or injury and have been assigned MELs while on the period of full-time Reserve Service (regardless of if the illness or injury is attributable to the service or not); and
   2. have a prognosis and circumstances that would restrict their assigned duties and full-time employment for a minimum of six months; or
3. have been approved participation on a VRPSM.

Note - Members serving on a Class “A” Reserve Service are not eligible for the RTS policy.

4.7 CBI 210.72 (RFC) remains in effect. Eligible members may still apply for either RFC (including extension of Class “C” Reserve Service) or GECA vice RTS. However, they may only get approval under one policy for the same period.

Note 1 - Members who suffer any illness or injury are to be briefed by a CAF TC Services Coordinator regarding the RFC, GECA, and RTS so that they can make an informed decision on which option best addresses their needs. The CO of the employing unit for members who experience an illness or injury near the end of their Reserve Service should consider extending the Reserve Service to facilitate an attached posting to the CAF TG. Enquiries regarding work related injury claims can be made by contacting the Federal Workers’ Compensation Office through the following link: Compensation for federal workers - Canada.ca.

Note 2 - If a member is serving on a period of Reserve Service under the RTS policy and is also receiving a compensation pursuant to CBI 210.72 (RFC) or GECA, their Reserve Service under the RTS policy will be immediately terminated.

End of eligibility

4.8 Eligible members are entitled to the RTS policy until:

1. their MELs no longer prohibit them to return fit for general duties in the Res F; or
2. they refuse to accept prescribed medical treatment; or
3. they are released from the CAF.

Note 1 - To return fit for general duties, the members’ circumstances giving rise to the limitations are resolved.

Note 2 - Members will be provided with a 30-day notice prior to the termination of their Reserve Service, within the limitations of the RTS policy, to facilitate their return to duty in the Res F. For transitioning members, the release authority will determine the transition period.

5. Process

Request for RTS

5.1 A request under the RTS policy is initiated by the member’s parent unit CO using the form DND 4452. Based on the member’s health, the Base/Wing Surgeon (B/W Surg) may recommend to the parent unit CO to initiate a request for RTS and a request for an attached posting to the CAF TG for the purpose of RTS, if the latter is required. Comd CAF TG, or their delegate, is the authority to approve RTS and the related attached posting of eligible members to the CAF TG.

Attached posting to the CAF TG

5.2 Primary Reserve (P Res) members on a period of Reserve Service pursuant to this instruction, at the request of their CO, will normally be transferred from the 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 Management Authority (MA). If members are transferred to a different PRL, then the MA will be the administrative unit/section supporting that specific PRL.

5.3 P Res members who become able to return fit for general duties will be transferred out of CAF TG 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.

5.4 Members of the COATS and CR who meet eligibility requirements will be offered a period of Reserve Service under the RTS policy through CAF TG, while remaining in their respective organization’s positions, with their Chain of Command as their MA. The same applies to members of the P Res who are not attached posted to the CAF TG.

Members participating in the RTD program

5.5 The CAF aims to retain members wherever possible. The RTD program intends to increase the probability of a full recovery and reintegration of members to their duties. To that end, members on a period of Reserve Service under the RTS policy, are to participate in the RTD program, if it has been prescribed by an authorized health care provider, to help them return fit for general duties in the Res F, following the recovery of their illness or injury.

5.6 The details of the RTD program are found in DAOD 5018-4, Return to Duty Program for CAF Members.

Members applying for a VRPSM

5.7 Members may participate in a VRPSM up to six months immediately prior to a release from the CAF for medical reasons, if they meet the program eligibility criteria. The intent of the program is to help medically releasing members secure gainful employment after their release, through educational upgrading, re-training, or on the job training (OJT). This period of up to six months is part of the members’ period of Reserve Service offered under the RTS policy and cannot exceed their date of release.

5.8 Members participating in a VRPSM may also be able to engage in a CAF LTD Vocational Rehabilitation plan.

5.9 The eligibility for VRPSM is established in Annex B to the CAFMPI 03/25.

Members with complex transition needs

5.10 In accordance with the CTS policy, ill or injured CAF members who have one or more permanent MELs which breach Universality of Service requirements or who do not meet the minimum medical standard to remain COATS members and who also have complex transition needs, may be provided a period of transition to continue their recovery or treatment with a view to enhancing their opportunities for vocational training or employment at time of release. This period of up to three years is part of the members’ period of Reserve Service offered under the RTS policy and cannot exceed their date of release.

5.11 The eligibility to the CTS policy is established in the Annex B to the CAFMPI 03/25.

Members’ recourse

5.12 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.

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 a period of Reserve Service under the RTS policy, may 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 Tracking the duration that members are on a period of Reserve Service under the RTS policy will help ensure that the appropriate support is provided for members. 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 on a period of Reserve Service under the RTS policy who are participating in the RTD program and return fit for general duties in the Res F, 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 VRPSM. 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 and DAOD 5030-0, Transition to post-military life, as well as Annex B of the related CAFMPI 03/25, 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 which can provide additional resources and support.

8. Responsibilities

Responsibilities table

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

9. References

Acts, regulations, central agency policies and associated DAOD

• Canadian Forces Superannuation Act
• Government Employees Compensation Act
• QR&O, Volume 1 - Chapter 7, Grievances
• QR&O, Volume 1 - Chapter 9, Reserve Service
• 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 05/25, Attached Posting of Reserve Force (Res F) members to the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG)
• 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 Armed Forces Vocational Rehabilitation for Serving Members (VRPSM) Guide (Available on request to the CAF TCs)
• 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)