Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction 07/03 – Special Duty Areas/Special Duty Operations
Table of Contents
1. Identification
Date of Issue: 2003-07-04
Date of Modification: 2025-01-31
Application: This Instruction applies to all members of the Regular and Reserve Force.
Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)
Enquiries: Administrative Response Centre (ARC)
2. Definitions
Criteria (Critères)
Those conditions which must first exist in order for a SDA or SDO to be declared. These conditions are:
- an armed conflict;
- an operation authorized under the UN Charter, the North Atlantic Treaty, the North American Aerospace Defence Command Agreement, or any other similar treaty instrument, or any other international or multinational operation;
- an operation authorized by the government as a measure for dealing with a national emergency proclaimed under the Emergencies Act;
- an operation authorized under:
- Part VI of the National Defence Act for the purpose of aid to the civil power;
- Section 273.6 of the National Defence Act for the purpose of law enforcement assistance or performance of public service duties;
- the crown prerogative, for the purpose of providing assistance to federal, provincial or municipal enforcement authorities
- a search and rescue operation;
- a disaster relief operation;
- a counter-terrorism operation; and
- an operation involving exposure to a level of risk equivalent to that associated with operations described in subparagraphs a. through d. above.
Elevated Risk (Risque élevé)
Means exposure to a higher level of risk not normally associated with service in peacetime.
Operation (Opération)
The employment of an element or elements of the Canadian Forces to perform a mission or a task.
Special Duty Area (SDA) (Zone de service spécial (ZSS))
An area outside Canada designated as a Special Duty Area by the Minister of National Defence.
Special Duty Operation (SDO) (Opération de service spécial (OSS))
An operation designated as a Special Duty Operation by the Minister of National Defence.
Special Duty Service (Service special)
Under the Pension Act means service after 11 September 2001, as a member of the Canadian Forces in a designated special duty area or special duty operation and includes:
- periods of training for the express purpose of service in a SDA or SDO, wherever that training takes place;
- travel to and from the SDA / SDO or the location of training referred to in subparagraph a. (above); and
- authorized leave during special duty service, wherever that leave is taken.
3. Background
3.1 Under a 2003 revision to the Pension Act (Bill C-31) the benefits entitlement package associated with service in a SDA was broadened. In addition, an entirely new type of special duty service called "Special Duty Operation" was incorporated into law. Under the same legislation the Minister of National Defence (MND), in consultation with the Minister of Veterans Affairs (MVA), may now designate both SDAs and SDOs.This has the benefit of ensuring that CAF members will receive the maximum Pension Act coverage possible when serving in SDAs and SDOs and that coverage will be provided quickly and comprehensively.
4. Aim
4.1 The aim of this instruction is to outline the process guidelines and responsibilities in respect of the declaration and implementation of SDAs and SDOs within the Department of National Defence.
5. Process Guidelines
Declaration – Initiation
5.1 The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS), the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (DCDS) or an Environmental Chief of Staff (ECS) may initiate the process to declare a SDA or a SDO. They may do so if a planned, or completed operation has met, meets or is likely to meet the criteria that have been established and includes conditions of elevated risk. CMP will be directed by the CDS to initiate the administrative procedures necessary to affect designation. DCSA will then be directed by CMP to begin the formal administrative procedures.
Declaration – Staffing
5.2 Upon receipt of direction from CMP, DCSA will:
- verbally advise Director Program and Service Policy Division at Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) that DND / CAF is considering the declaration of a SDA or SDO
- Prepare the Declaration Recommendation for signature by the CDS
- Prepare a covering letter from CMP to the ADM (Veterans Services) at VAC and attach a copy of the SDA/SDO Declaration Recommendation
- Forward the package to ADM (Veterans Services) once signed by CMP
- Receive verbal notification from Director Program and Services Policy Division that the MVA has been consulted; DCSA in turn will advise the offices of the CDS, DCDS and CMP that this consultation has been completed
- Prepare a covering Transmittal Sheet and a SDA/SDO Declaration Order for MND signature; DCSA will then hand-deliver this package to the Minister‘s office
- Receive from the Minister‘s office and store the Declaration Order within DCSA
Declaration – Recording
5.3 When the Declaration Order is received from the MND, DCSA will:
- Disseminate formal notification of the Declaration Order within DND, VAC and the RCMP
- Request the DCDS/ECS amend operation orders to include notification that the MND has declared the mission to be either a SDA or SDO and at the same time designate who can authorize Special Duty Status for associated training with elevated risk
- Ensure that formal designation is published in the Canada Gazette
- Submit the Declaration Order for inclusion in the CDS annual report
- Arrange to place the formal notification with appropriate descriptions on the DND Web Site
- Submit the Declaration Order notification to the Director History and Heritage (DHH)
- Monitor the SDA/SDO list on a regular basis and confirm to CMP its currency. The list will also include all authorized SDA/SDO associated training of an elevated risk nature. The SDA/SDO list will consist of two parts:
- current SDA/SDO
- closed SDA/SDO
- The authorization of Special Duty Service in support of a SDA/SDO will be promulgated using the message format included at Annex A
Declaration – Tracking
5.4 The process of tracking and maintaining records of all members who have served in either a SDA or SDO is integral to the provision of benefits, both in the short term and at a possible later date. Responsibilities herein are as follows:
- The Director Human Resources and Information Management (DHRIM) is responsible for maintaining records of all members who have served in SDAs and SDOs
- Base/Unit orderly rooms staffs are responsible for inputting all data pertaining to a member‘s posting to a SDA or SDO
- Data inputting must be done immediately once a unit or individual has been officially posted to either a SDA or SDO
- The principal tracking instrument to be employed in this case is the Human Resources Management System (HRMS). It will:
- Record and retain all instances when a member has been posted to a SDA / SDO, either on temporary duty or permanent duty
- All records are to be maintained permanently and in the case of retired members such records will be maintained as "non-active"
- DHRIM will provide "read only" access to records for verification through base/unit orderly rooms
Elevated Risk Training
5.5 The DCDS may authorize specific training of an elevated risk nature related to a SDA/SDO.
5.6 The Commanding Officer (CO) of a unit tasked in support of a SDA/SDO will request SDA/SDO coverage for elevated risk training conducted for the express purpose of serve in a SDA or on a SDO through the chain of command to the DCDS. An example of a DCDS message authorizing this training is at Annex A.
5.7 Units are to take note that reference to SDA / SDO related elevated risk training is to be included in all participating members‘ unit employment record (UER) and copies of training nominal rolls (in an electronic format) are to be sent directly to DCSA.
Attachments
- Special Duty Area Declaration Recommendation
- Special Duty Area Declaration Order
- Special Duty Operation Declaration Recommendation
- Special Duty Operation Declaration Order
Page details
- Date modified: