Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction 12/06 – Subsidized Education for Entry-Level Masters in Physiotherapy, Masters in Social Work, Masters of Divinity – Regular Force

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2006-08-08

Date of Modification: 2025-01-31

Application: This Instruction applies to serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) officers and non-commissioned members (NCMs) of the Regular Force and Reserve Force and to civilian applicants accepted into the CAF.

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries:

• Administrative Response Centre (ARC) for policy;
• DG Recruiting SEM for procedural inquiries

2. Abbreviations

3. Program Purposes and Eligibility

This Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction is being put in place because...

3.1 The CAF has a need for Physiotherapists, Social Workers and Chaplains. For Physiotherapists, the Canadian Physiotherapy Association is changing the entry-level requirements from a Bachelor of Science to a Professional Entry-Level Masters program thus eliminating the ability to recruit ROTP candidates for Bachelors degrees. The CAF currently does not subsidize an Entry-Level Masters Program in physiotherapy. For Social Workers, the required degree for CAF employment as a social worker is a MSW however it is difficult to recruit social workers with a MSW. For Chaplains, it is difficult with the small number of qualified clergy to recruit a sufficient number of chaplains to meet CAF demands. Hence the CAF must create a way to meet the need.

3.2 As an interim policy, the CAF will subsidize Physiotherapists in the Entry- Level Masters program, Social Workers in the MSW program and Chaplains in the MDiv or equivalent program and for the time required to obtain the prerequisite pastoral experience under the authority of this instruction. Subsidized education for these masters programs will be governed by a new DAOD, SOTP, upon its publication. 

Who Can Apply

3.3 For physiotherapy, civilian candidates or serving CAF members, Regular and Primary Reserve, with a completed Baccalaureate degree that includes the required courses as specified by the University as prerequisites for the Entry-Level Physiotherapy Masters Program.

3.4 For social work, civilian candidates or serving CAF members, Regular and Primary Reserve, with a completed Bachelor of Social Work BSW for entrance into the MSW Program.

3.5 For Chaplains, civilian candidates or serving CAF members, Regular and Primary Reserve, with a completed Baccalaureate degree suitable for entrance into the MDiv Program and meeting the initial requirements of the ICCMC or endorsing faith communities in preparation for ordination.

How to Apply

3.6 How to apply: 

1. civilian candidates may apply as DEO through a CFRC as per DAOD 5002-2, Direct Entry Officer Plan – Regular Force. 
2. serving officers may apply for OT - Military Occupation Regular Force through their CO as per CFAO 10-1, Officer Transfer - Military Occupation Regular Force paragraph 4. 
3. serving NCMs may apply for the SCP through their Commanding Officer as per CFAO 9-70, Special Commissioning Plan paragraph 4. 
4. serving Reserve Force members may apply for CT to the Regular Force through a CFRC as per DAOD 5002-3, Component Transfer.

Eligibility Criteria

3.7 To be eligible for the Entry-Level Physiotherapy Masters, the MSW or the MDiv candidates must:

1. qualify for enrolment under QR&O 6.01, Qualifications for Enrolment;
2. succeed in CAF pre-enrolment and selection tests, as prescribed by NDHQ; and in the case of chaplains, receive preliminary authorization from the appropriate denominational representative on the ICCMC to proceed on studies towards ordination;
3. have achieved Qualification Level 3 for NCM applicants;
4. be accepted without condition into the specified program at a Canadian university;
5. have the appropriate Bachelors degree completed for admittance to one of the Masters programs; 
6. not require more than three academic years for physiotherapists; the entry-level programs run between 26 and 31 consecutive months;
7. not require more than 12 consecutive months for social workers; and 
8. not require more than 36 months (three academic years) for chaplains in addition to two years of pastoral experience in an approved setting for chaplains. 

Operating Principle

3.8 Subsidized education for physiotherapists, social workers and chaplains will be taken at Canadian universities, which grant Occupation acceptable degrees.

Completion of the Basic Military Training

3.9 Physiotherapy, Social Work and Chaplain out service candidates:

1. must successfully complete the IAP and BOTP prior to the first year of academic subsidization;
2. who fail IAP and BOTP will be released from the CAF without incurring obligatory service as no subsidized education will have been completed;
3. who are successful will undergo BOQ, SLT and the Entry-Level Masters in Physiotherapy or MSW or MDiv.

3.10 Physiotherapy, Social Work and Chaplain in service NCM candidates:

1. must successfully complete the IAP and BOTP prior to the first year of academic subsidization;
2. who fail IAP and BOTP can be released unless they choose to relinquish a rank and revert to a lower one (previous NCM rank) in accordance with QR&O section.11.12(1), Relinquishment of Rank and NDA section 21(1), Ranks of Officers and Non-Commissioned Members. 

Note 1 – The continuous nature of these degree programs does not accommodate BOQ training or SLT between terms. 

Note 2 – For Chaplaincy candidates, with the approval of the Chaplain General, permission may be given to meet the BOQ requirement through successful completion of Chaplain BOTP prior to University and Occupation training. 

Employment and Leave Periods

3.11 As Regular Force members, candidates are on full-time paid service except when LWOP is approved on enrolment or for other purposes during the training program.

3.12 Candidates are on paid leave when the academic or training institution closes, and no military duty or training is scheduled for that period.

Incurred Obligatory Service

3.13 The Entry-Level Masters in Physiotherapy, the MSW and the MDiv are prescribed courses of study in accordance with QR&O 15.07. Under this program OS:

1. will be incurred in accordance with DAOD 5049-1, Obligatory Service when the cumulative period of subsidized education is six months or greater. OS will be calculated on the basis of two months' service for each month of subsidized education received using the start and end dates of the course of study;
2. commences the date the member is posted to duty after having met the prerequisites of practice applicable to the Physiotherapist and Social Work occupations and following two years of post-ordination pastoral experience for Chaplain service. 

Pay and Financial Entitlements

3.14 Civilian candidates provided with subsidized education under this Instruction will be enrolled as DEOs in accordance with DAOD 5002-2 and paid in accordance with CBI 204.211.

3.15 NCM candidates selected for the SCP in accordance with CFAO 9-70 will be paid in accordance with CBI 204.211.

3.16 Officers who transfer to one of these occupations through OT in accordance with CFAO 10-1 and CFAO 116 will be paid in accordance with CBI 204.211.

3.17 Officers who CT from the Primary Reserves to the Regular Force in accordance with DAOD 5002-3 will be paid in accordance with CBI 204.211.

3.18 All candidates are entitled to reimbursement of expenses for tuition, books and other mandatory fees or expenses in accordance with CBI 210.80, Tuition Fees, Books and Instruments - Officers and Non-Commissioned Members of the Regular Force at Canadian Military Colleges, Universities, Academic Institutes or Courses Not Within the Canadian Forces.

3.19 Claims will be processed in accordance with CBI 210.80 and CFAO 210-13, Subsidized University Education - Tuition Fees, Textbooks and Instruments. Cash advances may be authorized to assist in tuition payment and education expenses. 

4. Personnel Management Issues

General

4.1 The following will apply to candidates of subsidized Entry-Level Masters in Physiotherapy, MSW and MDiv:

1. All candidates will sign a Statement of Understanding outlining the conditions of subsidization;
2. Be chosen by a selection board coordinated by DG Recruiting and DGMC with MA representatives from the corresponding Occupations, including the Occupational Advisor; 
3. Candidates will be enrolled on a VIE in accordance with CAFMPI 05/05, Terms of Service. 
4. OS will be as per policy in QR&O 15.07(1). The duration of a course of study is counted in calendar months to nearest half month. OS will be calculated on the basis of two months' service for each month of education or training, using the start and end dates of the course of study. 
5. Candidates are subject to the Code of Service Discipline while on subsidized training; and 
6. Candidates enrolled under this plan will not be eligible for VOT until obligatory service is completed.

Policy Transition

4.2 The provisions of this Instruction will be superseded upon publication of the proposed DAOD on subsidized education for specialists, SOTP.

Ceased Training Voluntarily

4.3 Normally candidates will not be permitted to voluntarily withdraw from training except under extenuating circumstances and only after review by DG Recruiting and in consultation with the MA.

4.4 Candidates who voluntarily withdraw from training and request release:

1. must not be released on request under Item 4 of the table in QR&O 15.01, unless they have served the minimum period, which must not be less than 12 months. If the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) decides that special and unforeseen circumstances require that an officer apply for release prior to the completion of the minimum period of service, release may be approved where the exigencies of the Service permit. Approval of release due to special and unforeseen circumstances, other than compassionate reasons, is contingent upon the candidate refunding all or a portion of the cost as per QR&O 15.07, Obligatory Service. 
2. will not incur obligatory service if subsidized education has not been started. 

Medical or Compassionate Limitations and Pregnancy

4.5 Subject to CAF policies on medical or compassionate limitations and pregnancy administration, students under these programs who must cease academic or military training may:

1. in case of temporary medical or compassionate limitations, resume their courses of study, either military or academic, once their medical limitations allow for a return to work;
2. in case of pregnancy, resume academic and military training once the maternity or parental leave has expired. 

Note – In cases where the candidate's medical category is permanently downgraded or they are assigned compassionate status as their personal circumstances limit their deployability or ability to perform duties as per DAOD 5003-6, Compassionate Status, Compassionate Postings and Contingency Cost Moves for Personal Reasons, career review actions must be initiated by DG Recruiting. 

Career Review Action

4.6 DG Recruiting will determine the requirement for reimbursement on a case-by-case basis in the event that a candidate is compulsorily removed from subsidized education. This would happen in the event of academic and/ or professional standing falling below the accepted standard. 

5. Commissioning and Rank on Completion of Training

Direct Entry Officer Candidate

5.1 A civilian candidate will be enrolled in the rank of Officer Cadet (OCdt). Upon successful completion of IAP/BOTP, be commissioned in the rank of 2Lt with simultaneous promotion to Lieutenant effective the date of enrollment, less any LWOP. Promotion authority is NDHQ in accordance with CFAO 11-6 (9), Commissioning and Promotion Policy - Officers - Regular Force.

Special Commissioning Candidates

5.2 A SCP candidate will be appointed OCdt, and will, upon successful completion of IAP/BOTP, be commissioned in the rank of 2Lt with simultaneous promotion to Lt, seniority backdated to commencement of IAP/BOTP, in accordance with CFAO 9-70. Promotion authority is NDHQ in accordance with CFAO 11-6 (9).

Officer Transfer Candidates

5.3 When an officer is required to undergo training for transfer to another Occupation, promotion will be determined in accordance with CFAO 11-6.

Component Transfer Candidate

5.4 A Component Transfer candidate will have the CAF members’ rank determined by DG Recruiting in accordance with DAOD 5002-3.

Rank Upon Completion of Masters Degree and other Prerequisites to Practice

5.5 Physiotherapy and Social Work candidates, upon successful completion of the Entry Level Masters in Physiotherapy or MSW, and other prerequisites to practise will be promoted to Capt after three years in the rank of Lt. Promotion authority is NDHQ in accordance with CFAO 11-6 (9).

5.6 Chaplain candidates will be promoted after successful completion of their MDiv and after their pastoral internship to Capt. Promotion authority is NDHQ in accordance with CFAO 11-6 (9). 

6. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Associated DAOD

• National Defence Act
• QR&O 6.01, Qualifications for Enrolment
• QR&O 11.12(1) Relinquishment of Rank
• QR&O 15, Release
• QR&O 16, Leave
• QR&O 203.2, Officers- Regular Force Limitation of Payments
• CBI 204, Pay of Officers
• CBI 210.80, Tuition Fees, Books, and Instruments - Officers and Non-Commissioned Members of the Regular Force at Canadian Military Colleges, Universities, Academic Institutes or Courses not within the CF

Other References

• DAOD 5002-2, Direct Entry Officer Plan – Regular Force
• DAOD 5002-3, Component Transfer, Obligatory Service
• DAOD 5003-6, Contingency Cost Moves for Personal Reasons, Compassionate Status and Compassionate Posting
• DAOD 5049-1, Obligatory Service
• CFAO 6-1, Enrolment - Regular Force (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CFAO 9-63, Medical and Dental Officer Training Plans (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CFAO 9-70, Special Commissioning Plan (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CFAO 10-1, Officer Transfer - Military Occupation Regular Force (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CFAO 11-6, Commissioning and Promotion Policy - Officers - Regular Force (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CFAO 210-13, Subsidized University Education - Tuition Fees, Textbooks and Instruments (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CAFMPI 05/05, Terms of Service
• CANFORGEN 067/05, ADM (HR-Mil) Instruction 05/05 Terms of Service (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)

7. Annex

1. Annex A – Statement of Understanding