Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction 05/05 – Annexes – Terms of Service

Annex A

Appendix 1 – Terms of Service (TOS) Sequence by Occupation – Non-Commissioned Member (NCMs)

Updated July 2025

General

Note – If the occupation:

• Has one CE in the sequence, members are to be offered the choice of that CE and an IE 25
• Has multiple CEs in the sequence, members are to be offered the choice of a CE and an IE 25 at each interval
• When all CEs are served within mbr’s sequence the TOS offer is an IE 25 only
• Commanding Officers are to present all available options and give individuals the choice to select their preferred option.

Terms of Service (TOS) Sequence by Occupation – Officers

Updated 05 March 2025 

CEOTP Enrollees:

• Follow sequence for ROTP, except for MOSID 00183 PLT that will follow the sequence for DEO 
• Unit to confirm with DMCA 4 on next TOS offer as CO has no authority to offer Core TOS prior to mbr obtaining degree in accordance with DAOD 5002-6 (5.5) 

Note – If the occupation:

• Has one CE in the sequence, mbrs are to be offered the choice of that CE and an IE 25 
• Has multiple CEs in the sequence, mbrs are to be offered the choice of a CE and an IE 25 at each interval 
• When all CEs are served within mbr’s sequence the TOS offer is an IE 25 only 
• Commanding Officers are to present all available options and give individuals the choice to select their preferred option

Annex A - Appendix 2 – List of Restricted Release Dates/Periods

Updated November 2024

General

1. Restricted Release Date/Period (RRD/P) can be implemented through CANFORGEN from CMP following annual AMOR. The following table lists all current RRD/P.

Notes

1. CT unskilled into a new occupation is considered a VOT, and therefore subject to RRD/P. 
2. Applies only to Regular Force VOT
3. RRD/P is intended to ensure successful P-8A transition. RRD/P will no longer apply to new conversion candidates after 404 Sqn P-8A OTU commences in the applicable trade (2028 expected for all trades). For those who started OTU/conversion prior to this time, full RRD/P applies. Multiple RRD/Ps may be active and run in parallel, they are not added to the end of already running periods.

Annex B – Variable Initial Engagement (VIE)

General

1.1 The VIE is the first engagement for both Regular Force officers and non-commissioned members (NCMs). The length of a VIE is between 3 and 14 years, inclusive of any periods of subsidized training and/or education (where applicable), and varies among military occupations. 

Policy Objective

1.2 The purpose of the VIE is to enhance flexibility and adaptability of TOS, enhance retention, retain an attrition capability, and support members’ expectations. 

1.3 The primary consideration in establishing the length of a VIE is to strike a balance between the:

1. need to recover the training invested in bringing members in a military occupation to the operationally functional point (OFP). There exists a significant difference in training costs among military occupations; and
2. attractiveness of the occupation to potential applicants, whose propensity to join the CAF might be affected by the length of the initial engagement. Although research indicates a perception that 3 years is the optimum length and 5 years the maximum, all factors should be considered in determining the length of the VIE. 

Authority

1.4 Only the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has the authority to establish TOS. This authority may be delegated to CMP. Therefore, the AMOR may recommend VIE lengths for occupations assigned to them but the final approval rests with CMP. Military occupational VIE lengths are provided at Appendix 1 of this Annex. 

Determination of Variable Initial Engagement (VIE) Length

1.5 Factors to be considered in determining the length of an occupation’s VIE are provided at paragraph 1.9. These are guidelines only and should not preclude other factors deemed relevant by the Annual Military Occupational Review (AMOR). 

1.6 Notwithstanding the possibility of recommending changes to an occupation’s VIE length to meet unanticipated circumstances, a systematic review of all VIE lengths should occur every three years through the AMOR process. 

1.7 Communication is necessary to ensure that potential candidates understand the difference between the restricted release policy, obligatory service and TOS, especially VIE. Once the period of restricted release or obligatory service is completed, a member may request release, even before the expiry of a VIE. 

1.8 VIE lengths are normally 3 to 9 years; however in accordance with Appendix 1, Annex A of this CAFMPI, officers enrolled under ROTP can receive a VIE length up to 14 years to cover academic training.

Factors to Consider

1.9 These factors are guidelines in determining the length of a VIE. This list is not exhaustive and other factors should also be included, if they are deemed relevant: 

1. the length of time to reach operationally functional point (OFP) together with a minimum of one tour of duty. This allows sufficient time for a member to develop a sense of whether the member wishes to remain with the CAF. It also permits time to assess a member’s performance and potential and facilitates decision-making about converting the member’s service to a subsequent TOS, if less than 100% conversion is approved for the occupation. It must be emphasized that TOS are intended to control the quantitative health of an occupation; and 
2. the following table offers a scale based on the number of training days required to reach OFP. This scale should not be used in isolation. Other factors should also be considered, such as the health of the occupation and the potential effects of VIE length on the propensity of applicants to join the CAF. 

Annex C – Terms of Service and Canadian Forces Enrolment Form

• DND 2315 – Terms of Service (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN);
• CF 444 – Canadian Forces Enrolment Form (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN).

Annex D – Statement of Understanding and Undertaking – Restricted Release

1. I understand and agree to the following terms and conditions of my service in the Canadian Armed Forces, in addition to all other terms and conditions of service by which I am or may be bound: 
   1. My training as a _________________________will provide me with a “particular skill” that is required by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). 
   2. The CAF is relying upon me to acquire the particular skill and to continue to serve while in possession of that particular skill. The particular skill cannot be easily or quickly replaced or developed. The premature or unexpected loss of the particular skill will be to the detriment of the CAF. 
   3. Pursuant to section 30 of the National Defence Act and Queen’s Regulations & Orders for the Canadian Forces article 15.02, I may be entitled to release from the Canadian Armed Forces prior to my completing a sufficient period of service in the Canadian Armed Forces after having acquired the particular skill. 
   4. This Statement of Understanding & Undertaking restricts the entitlement to release for a specific period. 
   5. I waive any entitlement to release that I may have from time to time pursuant to section 30 of the National Defence Act and Queen’s Regulations & Orders for the Canadian Forces 15.02 for a period of _________________. The Restricted Release Period commences upon completion of _______________ _________________. This includes any entitlement that may arise from: 
      1. the expiration of a term of service; 
      2. any entitlement to an immediate annuity under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act; 
      3. officer cadet status; and 
      4. completion of a fixed period of service. 
   6. During my restricted release period, I will not request a voluntary occupational transfer. The Canadian Armed Forces may order a compulsory occupation transfer in accordance with the Queen’s Regulations & Orders for the Canadian Forces and orders issued under the authority of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS). 
   7. During my restricted release period, I will not request a transfer from any component or sub-component of the Canadian Armed Forces to any other component or sub-component. 
   8. My restricted release period will run concurrently with any obligatory service which I have incurred or will incur, and will be extended by any period of leave without pay I am granted during my restricted release period. If I have insufficient time remaining in my current TOS I must accept the next core TOS offer before proceeding on LWOP. 
   9. Where, in the determination of the appropriate release authority (in accordance with the CDS Delegated Release Authorities), compassionate circumstances exist in accordance with CAF regulations such as Canadian Forces Administrative Order (CFAO) 15-2 which defines it as a “circumstances under which continued military service would seriously prejudice my health and welfare, or that of my immediate family”, and improvement of the situation may only be accomplished as a result of release, as opposed to other options as leave, leave without pay, or posting, my release may be approved.
   10. I had at least twenty-four hours to consider this Statement of Understanding & Undertaking and to independently discuss it with any person of my choosing.
   11. All questions I had concerning this Statement of Understanding & Undertaking were fully explained to me to my complete satisfaction. 
2. I undertake to abide by the above terms and conditions. This Statement of Understanding & Undertaking supplements any other Statement of Understanding previously signed. 

Distribution List

Pers File (original)
NDHQ/D Mil C
Member