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DAOD 5002-10, Commissioning from the Ranks Plan

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Overview and Plan Framework
  3. Selection
  4. Career Administration
  5. Training
  6. Administration
  7. Consequences
  8. Responsibilities
  9. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2016-04-28

Application: This DAOD is an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members (NCMs) of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Supersession:

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Director Personnel Generation Requirements (DPGR)

2. Overview and Plan Framework

Context

2.1 The CAF provides rewarding career opportunities for NCMs that allow for progression along flexible career paths. The CAF recognizes that some NCMs possess the personal qualities and the potential to serve as officers and provides them with the opportunity to undertake military training in order to develop and progress in an officer military occupation.

Purpose

2.2 The Commissioning from the Ranks Plan (CFRP) is an officer production plan that enables the CAF to maintain the optimal trained effective strength and production levels of officers in military occupations by selecting NCMs who possess the military experience and personal qualities required for service as officers and providing them with the military training required for targeted officer military occupations. The CFRP applies to serving NCMs of the Regular Force (Reg F), the Primary Reserve (P Res) and the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS). The CFRP operates under distinct parameters for each component or sub-component, as set out in subsequent sections of this DAOD.

Note – The CFRP does not apply to NCMs who are serving in the Canadian Rangers or the Supplementary Reserve.

2.3 The CFRP is not used to effect component or sub-component transfers into the Reg F or the P Res. The CFRP may be used to effect component or sub-component transfers into the COATS.

CFRP and Officer Military Occupations

2.4 The CFRP is used to produce officers in officer military occupations that are closely affiliated with specific NCM military occupations. Selection for the CFRP is based on the related experience and demonstrated potential for leadership of the NCM. If a commanding officer (CO) wishes to nominate an NCM for an officer military occupation that is not closely affiliated with the current military occupation of the NCM, the CO must request an entry standard waiver and provide substantiation for the waiver based on the experience or education of the NCM. Waiver requests are submitted through a brigade, base or wing personnel selection officer (PSO).

2.5 Officers commissioned under the CFRP are exempt from the normal requirement for CAF officers to hold a baccalaureate degree.

2.6 Within the COATS, NCMs may be commissioned only into the Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) military occupation.

Production Planning

2.7 The Reg F officer military occupations open to the CFRP are subject to officer production requirements, which are determined by the Annual Military Occupation Review (AMOR) process set out in CAF Military Personnel Instruction (Mil Pers Instr 01/08, Annual Military Occupation Review (AMOR). The CFRP intake requirements are determined by the occupation authorities (OAs) and conveyed in the annual Strategic Intake Plan.

2.8 For the P Res, a vacant and permanent establishment position must exist for an officer military occupation affiliated with the military occupation of the NCM being nominated.

2.9 For the COATS, a vacant CIC position must exist.

3. Selection

Role of the CO

3.1 A CO has a critical role in the CFRP. An NCM must be nominated by their CO as an NCM cannot apply for the CFRP. The onus is on a CO to identify potential nominees and to observe their performance with a view to nomination when the annual competition is announced for the Reg F, or when a position becomes vacant in the P Res or the CIC. If appropriate, COs are encouraged to chair local nomination boards to ensure that only the most highly qualified and deserving nominees are considered.

3.2 The CO must evaluate each nominee and make a recommendation that assists in determining their officer potential. The recommendation should include substantive comments on the demonstrated officer-like qualities and potential of the nominee to perform as an officer. In the absence of substantive comments from the CO, it may be assumed that the nominee has relatively low potential for service as an officer compared to other nominees whose potential is well substantiated.

General

3.3 A CFRP nominee for a:

  1. Reg F competition, must be an NCM currently serving in the Reg F;
  2. P Res officer position, must be an NCM currently serving in the P Res; and
  3. CIC officer position, must be an NCM currently serving in the Reg F, P Res or COATS.

Eligibility Criteria

3.4 The following table identifies the standards and requirements that a nominee must meet to be eligible for the CFRP:

Requirements Common to the Reg F, P Res and COATS
A nominee must … Amplification
  • meet the minimum medical standards for the targeted officer military occupation, set out in A-MD-154-000/FP-000, Canadian Armed Forces Medical Standards (CFP 154), Annex E.
  • The medical category of a nominee must be valid in accordance with CF Health Services Instruction 4000-21, Periodic and Other Health Assessments – Periods of Validity, on the date of nomination for the CFRP and on the effective date of transfer.
  • For the COATS, the medical category may be waived with the recommendation of the Deputy Commander, National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group (DComd Natl CJCR Sp Gp), provided that the member is capable of meeting all of the requirements of the position.
  • meet the entry standards for the targeted officer military occupation.
  • See the entry standards under the “Recruiting & Selection” heading on the DPGR intranet site.
  • meet the special requirements identified in the officer military occupation specification for the targeted officer military occupation.
  • See the DPGR intranet site for the officer military occupation specifications.
  • not be subject to a remedial measure as set out in DAOD 5019-4, Remedial Measures, on the date of nomination for the CFRP and on the effective date of transfer.
  • N/A.

Requirements Common to the Reg F and P Res
A nominee must … Amplification
  • meet the minimum operational standards set out in DAOD 5023-1, Minimum Operational Standards Related to Universality of Service.
  • A nominee must hold a valid Fitness for Operational Requirements of CAF Employment (FORCE) evaluation or Common Military Task Fitness Evaluation on the date of nomination for the CFRP and on the effective date of transfer.
  • hold the substantive rank of at least sergeant/petty officer, 2nd class by the closing date of the annual competition in the case of the Reg F or the date of nomination in the case of the P Res, as applicable.
  • N/A.
  • have completed at least ten years of service by the closing date of the annual competition in the case of the Reg F or the date of nomination in the case of the P Res, as applicable.
  • If a nominee has previously completed a component transfer or has been released and subsequently enrolled again, previous years of service in the Reg F or P Res may be included in the calculation of qualifying time.
  • successfully complete selection processing to measure cognitive ability, attributes and competencies to assess suitability for the targeted officer military occupation.
  • N/A.

Requirements for Reg F Nominees
A nominee must … Amplification
  • be able to serve, as of the effective date of transfer to the targeted military occupation, at least the number of years equal to the length of the variable initial engagement (VIE) specified for a direct entry officer (DEO) in that military occupation, as set out in ADM(HR-Mil) Instr 05/05, The New CF Regular Force Terms of Service, Annex A, Appendix 1 or any successor instrument.
  • A CO may nominate an NCM who has less than the number of years specified for the VIE remaining to compulsory retirement age (CRA) 55 but would have the specified number of years remaining to CRA 60. A successful nominee with less than the specified number of years remaining to CRA 55 must elect CRA 60 as a condition to satisfy their CFRP offer.
  • A selected nominee may be required to sign further terms of service (TOS) in accordance with the TOS sequence for the new officer military occupation.

Requirements for P Res Nominees
A nominee must … Amplification
  • be able to serve, as of the effective date of transfer to the targeted military occupation, at least two years, or such longer period as a promotion authority may specify to permit employing the CFRP officer upon completion of required military occupation training.
  • N/A.

Requirements for COATS Nominees
A nominee must … Amplification
  • hold the substantive rank of at least sergeant/petty officer, 2nd class in the Reg F, P Res or COATS.
  • N/A.
  • be able to serve, as of the effective date of transfer to the targeted military occupation, at least two years.
  • N/A.
  • complete:
    – a criminal records name check;
    – a vulnerable sector screening; and
    – all reference checks.
  • See DAOD 5002-1, Enrolment.
  • if a member of the Reg F or P Res, volunteer for and be able to complete a component or sub-component transfer into the COATS.
  • See DAOD 5002-3, Component and Sub-Component Transfer and CF Mil Pers Instr 03/08, Canadian Forces Component Transfer and Component Transfer Career Programs.

Academic Requirements

3.5 To be eligible for the CFRP in any component or subcomponent, a nominee must possess one of the following:

  1. secondary school graduation certificate or an equivalency certificate based on education equivalency testing; or
  2. diploma or baccalaureate degree from an accredited Canadian post-secondary educational institution that represents the equivalent of at least two years of full-time academic study.

Selection Process – Reg F

3.6 The following table outlines the selection process for the Reg F:

Step Who does it? Action
1 Determination of CFRP intake requirements
  • OA
  • Determines and confirms the officer production requirements through the AMOR process.
  • DPGR
  • Verifies the officer production requirements through the AMOR process.
  • Publishes the annual Strategic Intake Plan, noting internal CFRP officer production requirements.
2 Nomination
  • CO
  • Ensures the NCM is prepared to undertake officer training.
  • Nominates the NCM, based on experience, leadership and officer potential.
  • Ensures eligibility and suitability assessments are conducted (see Step 3).
  • Forwards the nomination, with recommendations, to the Director Military Careers Policy and Grievances (DMCPG) on completion of Step 3.
3 Eligibility and suitability assessment
  • Base or wing PSO
  • Assesses nominee eligibility for the CFRP.
  • Briefs the nominee on the conditions of the CFRP.
  • Conducts the suitability assessment of the nominee for the targeted officer military occupation.
  • Recommends an officer military occupation assignment.
  • Returns the file to the CO for forwarding to the DMCPG.
4 Selection
  • DMCPG
  • Verifies nominee eligibility for the CFRP.
  • Conducts selection processing.
  • Produces a numerical list for selection by order of merit.
5 Offer
  • DMCPG
  • Generates an offer which stipulates the officer military occupation, required training and rank to be assigned.
6 Acceptance or refusal
  • Nominee
  • Either:
    – accepts the offer and proceeds to the
    next step; or
    – refuses the offer, which is the end of
    processing.
7 Prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR)
  • Nominee’s unit
  • Submits a request for PLAR for Basic Military Officer Qualification (BMOQ) and military occupation training, if applicable (see paragraph 4.1).
8 Promotion
  • DMCPG
  • Issues the posting and promotion instruction.

Selection Process – P Res

3.7 The following table outlines the selection process for the P Res:

Step Who does it? Action
1 Determination of CFRP intake requirements
  • OA
  • Determines and confirms the officer production requirements.
2 Nomination
  • CO
  • Verifies that there is a vacant position for an officer in a military occupation affiliated with the current military occupation of the NCM.
  • Ensures the NCM is prepared to undertake officer training.
  • Nominates the NCM, based on experience, leadership and officer potential.
  • Ensures eligibility and suitability assessments are conducted (see Step 3).
3 Eligibility and suitability assessment
  • Brigade, base or wing PSO
  • Assesses nominee eligibility for the CFRP.
  • Briefs the nominee on the conditions of the CFRP.
  • Conducts the suitability assessment of the nominee for the targeted officer military occupation.
  • Recommends an officer military occupation assignment. Returns the file to the CO.
4 Recommendation
  • CO
  • Recommends nominees for selection by order of merit if the number of nominees exceeds the number of vacant positions.
  • Forwards the nominee files to the officer commanding a command for approval.
5 Approval
  • Officer commanding a command
  • Verifies the requirement for CFRP nominations, reviews nominations and approves selection and promotion.
6 Offer
  • CO
  • Extends the offer to the nominee.
7 Acceptance or refusal
  • Nominee
  • Either:
    – accepts the offer and proceeds to the
    next step; or
    – refuses the offer, which is the end of
    processing.
8 PLAR
  • Nominee’s unit
  • Submits a request for PLAR for BMOQ and military occupation training, if applicable (see paragraph 4.1).
9 Promotion
  • CO
  • Promotes the nominee.

Selection Process – COATS

3.8 The following table outlines the selection process for the COATS:

Step Who does it? Action
1 Determination of CFRP intake requirements
  • Regional Cadet Support Unit (RCSU) CO
  • Verifies that there is a vacant CIC position.
2 Nomination
  • RCSU CO
  • Verifies the eligibility and assesses the suitability of the NCM for the CFRP.
  • Ensures the NCM is prepared to undertake officer training.
  • Nominates the NCM, based on experience, leadership and officer potential.
  • Refers the nominee to a Canadian Forces recruiting centre (CFRC) for screening for care of vulnerable persons, if the nominee is not already serving in the COATS.
3 Screening for care of vulnerable persons (if required)
  • CFRC
  • Conducts screening for care of vulnerable persons.
  • Returns the file to the RCSU.
4 Selection
  • RCSU
  • Selects appropriate nominees. If the position involves Class “B” Reserve Service, see A-PM-245-001/FP-001, Military Human Resources Records Procedures, Chapter 19.
  • Generates an offer which stipulates the officer military occupation, required training and rank to be assigned.
5 Acceptance or refusal
  • Nominee
  • Either:
    – accepts the offer and proceeds to the
    next step; or
    – refuses the offer, which ends the
    processing.
6 Promotion
  • RCSU
  • Promotes the nominee.

Nominees Not Selected

3.9 If an NCM is not selected for the CFRP, the CO may nominate the NCM for a subsequent competition for the Reg F or vacant position for the P Res or COATS, as applicable. The nomination process must be repeated.

Distinctive Environmental Uniform (DEU)

3.10 The DEU is confirmed upon selection for the CFRP. A CFRP officer normally retains the DEU of their former military occupation. If that uniform is not permitted within the targeted officer military occupation, a new DEU that matches the identity of the newly assigned officer military occupation (see A-DH-265-000/AG-001, Canadian Forces Dress Instructions) must be issued prior to the start of training.

Personnel Records Management

3.11 An NCM who is promoted under the CFRP must have the designation “CFR” entered under the commissioning plan field (Comm Plan) for purposes of the Human Resources Management System.

4. Career Administration

Request for PLAR

4.1 In order for a Reg F or P Res CFRP officer to obtain the BMOQ, the unit of the officer must submit a request for PLAR to the Canadian Defence Academy (CDA). In order for a Reg F or P Res CFRP officer to obtain an officer military occupation training equivalency, the unit of the officer must submit a request for PLAR to the OA. In order for a CFRP officer of the COATS to obtain the BMOQ or an officer military occupation training equivalency, the officer must submit a request for PLAR to the RCSU, which forwards it to the DComd Natl CJCR Sp Gp for approval.

Rank and Promotion

4.2 An NCM who has accepted a CFRP offer is not normally eligible for further promotion in their NCM military occupation.

4.3 A selected nominee is appointed to the rank of officer cadet/naval cadet and transferred to the new officer military occupation prior to the start of military training for the new officer military occupation. Provided that the BMOQ or equivalency has been attained, and the CFRP officer has met the conditions and standards in respect of promotion specified in applicable administrative orders and directives, simultaneous promotion occurs as follows:

a. a CFRP officer who formerly held the substantive rank of sergeant/petty officer, 2nd class or warrant officer/petty officer,1st class is simultaneously promoted to the substantive rank of lieutenant/sub-lieutenant; and

b. a CFRP officer who formerly held the substantive rank of master warrant officer/chief petty officer, 2nd class or chief warrant officer/chief petty officer, 1st class is simultaneously promoted to the substantive rank of captain/lieutenant(N).

4.4 Eligibility for promotion to higher ranks occurs in accordance with officer military occupation specifications and applicable CAF promotion policy.

Component or Sub-Component Transfer After Commissioning

4.5 An officer who has been commissioned under the CFRP may subsequently apply for component or sub-component transfer. Entitlements to rank, time credit for promotion and seniority are determined based on qualifying service as well as military and civilian competencies, in accordance with DAOD 5002-3. Entitlements to pay level and pay increment are based on qualifying service and are determined in accordance with CBI 204.015, Pay Increments.

5. Training

Military Training

5.1 A CFRP officer must undergo military training until qualified in their officer military occupation. Unless a PLAR has been submitted and approved, a CFRP officer of the Reserve Force must make themselves available for required military occupation training. Within the P Res, the CO must:

  1. monitor and ensure that a CFRP officer participates in required military occupation training; and
  2. conduct an administrative review (AR) in accordance with DAOD 5019-2, Administrative Review, if the officer fails to participate.

5.2 If a CFRP officer undergoing military occupation training fails to demonstrate sufficient progress in the training, the CO of the training establishment must:

  1. ensure that the CFRP officer is adequately counselled on areas of weakness sufficiently in advance of the completion of the training to accommodate an improvement; and
  2. if sufficient improvement is not subsequently demonstrated by the CFRP officer, immediately forward a full report to:
    – the training authority for the officer military occupation, for a Reg F member;
    – the CO of the member, for a P Res member; or
    – the DComd Natl CJCR Sp Gp, for a COATS member.

5.3 The report of failure to demonstrate sufficient progress in training must include a recommendation for the CFRP officer to cease or repeat the training. An AR must be conducted in accordance with DAOD 5019-2. Possible outcomes include:

  1. repetition of the training period;
  2. relinquishment of rank in accordance with QR&O article 11.12, Relinquishment of Rank, and subsequent service as an NCM;
  3. component or sub-component transfer as an NCM; or
  4. recommendation for compulsory release from the CAF in accordance with QR&O article 15.01, Release of Officers and Non-Commissioned Members.

Voluntary Withdrawal from Military Training

5.4 A CFRP officer who decides to cease military occupation training may apply to withdraw from the CFRP and:

  1. relinquish their officer rank in accordance with QR&O article 11.12 for subsequent service as an NCM;
  2. complete a component or sub-component transfer as an NCM; or
  3. request release from the CAF.

Note – Return to service as an NCM is subject to service requirements.

5.5 An application under paragraph 5.4 must be reviewed by the CO of the training establishment. The CO must forward a recommendation for a decision to:

  1. the training authority for the officer military occupation, in the case of a Reg F member;b.
  2. the CO of the member, in the case of a P Res member; or
  3. the DComd Natl CJCR Sp Gp, in the case of a COATS member.

Note – For a Reg F or P Res member, a PSO recommendation must be obtained prior to making a decision.

6. Administration

Pay and Allowances

6.1 The pay and allowances of a CFRP officer are prescribed in CBI Chapter 204, Pay of Officers and Non-Commissioned Members, and CBI Chapter 205, Allowances for Officers and NCMs, respectively.

7. Consequences

Consequences of Non-Compliance

7.1 Non-compliance with this DAOD may have consequences for the CAF as an institution and for CAF members as individuals. Suspected non-compliance may be investigated. The nature and severity of the consequences resulting from actual non-compliance will be commensurate with the circumstances of the non-compliance.

8. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

8.1 The following table identifies the responsibilities associated with this DAOD:

The… is or are responsible …
OAs
  • for the Reg F and P Res:
    – determining officer production requirements for their officer
    military occupations;
    – conducting PLARs to assess qualifying service and to identify
    courses,
    training and work experiences that are of value to the CAF; and
    – requesting determinations through the Director Pay Policy and
    Development for additional pay increments upon promotion in
    accordance with CBI 204.015.
training authorities
  • for the Reg F:
    – conducting an AR if required for a CFRP officer under training;
    and
    – taking appropriate administrative and career actions.
officers
commanding commands
  • for the P Res:
    – verifying the requirement for CFRP nominations;
    – reviewing nominations; and
    – approving selection and promotion.
Commander,
CDA
  • for the Reg F and P Res:
    – conducting PLARs for leadership training.
DPGR
  • for all components and sub-components:
    – reviewing and approving waivers to the officer military
    occupation entry standards in support of in-service selection
    requirements; and
    – maintaining the CFRP policy and responding to questions
    concerning policy issues and interpretation.
DMCPG
  • for the Reg F:
    – verifying the eligibility of CFRP nominees, conducting selection
    and generating offers for those selected; and
    – issuing posting instructions specifying required military
    occupation training for selected CFRP nominees who accept
    an offer.
DComd Natl
CJCR Sp Gp
  • for the COATS:
    – conducting PLARs to assess qualifying service and to identify
    courses,
    training and work experiences that are of value to the CAF;
    – conducting an AR if required for a CFRP officer under training;
    and
    – taking appropriate administrative and career actions.
COs, including
RCSU COs
  • for all components and sub-components:
    – nominating suitable NCMs for the CFRP;
    – obtaining any required waivers of officer military occupation
    entry standards from the DPGR for CFRP nominees; and
    – requesting assessment of PLARs, qualifying service and pay
    increments for CFRP nominees from the appropriate
    authorities;
  • for the P Res:
    – recommending CFRP nominees for selection by order of merit;
    – conducting an AR if required for a CFRP officer under training;
    and
    – taking appropriate administrative and career actions; and
  • for the COATS:
    – selecting CFRP nominees by order of merit.
COs of CFRCs
  • for the COATS:
    – conducting screening for care of vulnerable persons.
brigade, base,
and wing PSOs
  • for the Reg F and P Res:
    – assessing and making recommendations on the suitability of
    nominees for the CFRP;
    – assisting COs in obtaining waivers of officer military
    occupation entry standards for CFRP nominees; and
    – providing advice to COs and counselling nominees as required
    on educational and officer military occupation issues.
CFRP officers
  • completing required military occupation training.

9. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

Other References

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