DAOD 5002-7, Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan – Regular Force

Table of Contents

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

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2014-09-17

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

Supersession:

• DAOD 5049-1, Obligatory Service, Education Table rows 9 (METTP) and 10 (NCSTTP)
• CFAO 49-4, Career Policy – Non-Commissioned Members – Regular Force, Annex A, Table 7
• CF Military Personnel Instructions 10/06, Non-Commissioned Members – Subsidized Education Plans
• MARCORD 9-61, Naval Technician Training Plan (NTTP)

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Director Personnel Generation Requirements (DPGR)

2. Overview and Plan Framework

Context

2.1 The CAF recognizes that the attainment of training and education by NCMs at Canadian colleges, universities and other post-secondary training and educational institutions:

1. provides knowledge and skills that are commensurate with the diverse and demanding tasks that NCMs must perform;
2. optimizes the professional growth of NCMs;
3. enhances the CAF image;
4. supplements the CF Individual Training and Education System capacity; and
5. contributes to the career satisfaction of NCMs.

2.2 Under the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan (NCMSTEP), an applicant for enrolment in the CAF or a CAF member may acquire knowledge and skills at a Canadian college, university or other post-secondary training or educational institution, considered suitable by the CAF, in a course of study related to the NCM’s assigned military occupation.

Purpose

2.3 The NCMSTEP is a Regular Force NCM production plan that enables the CAF to maintain the optimal trained effective strength and production levels of NCMs in military occupations by providing NCMs with full-time subsidized training or education at Canadian colleges, universities and other post-secondary training or educational institutions, for authorized courses of study related to NCM military occupations.

Production Planning

2.4 The NCM military occupations open to the NCMSTEP are subject to NCM production requirements. The NCMSTEP intake requirements are:

1. determined by the occupation authorities (OAs) through the Annual Military Occupation Review (AMOR) process; and
2. conveyed in the annual Strategic Intake Plan.

NCMSTEP Military Occupation List (MOL)

2.5 The NCMSTEP MOL contains the:

1. NCM military occupations that are authorized by the CMP for subsidized training or education;
2. applicable post-secondary training and educational institutions, and authorized courses of study, through which NCMs may receive subsidized training or education; and
3. career profiles which outline the early career progression for those military occupations.

2.6 The DPGR is authorized to control and manage the NCMSTEP MOL. The DPGR maintains the MOL with the input and advice from the OAs, training authorities (TAs) and designated training authorities (DTAs), and the Canadian Defence Academy (CDA).

Note 1 – The OAs manage the NCM military occupations in accordance with A-PD-055-001/AG-001, The Canadian Forces Military Employment Structure, Volume 1, General.

Note 2 – TAs and DTAs manage the individual training and education (IT&E) qualifications, including the analysis of assigned NCM military occupation specifications, to determine the IT&E requirements as set out in DAOD 5031-2, Individual Training and Education Strategic Framework.

2.7 The DPGR must conduct an annual review of the NCMSTEP MOL in order to:

1. assess its continuing relevance;
2. contemplate policy and process development requirements; and
3. revise, as required, the NCM military occupation career profiles and authorized courses of study.

Authorized NCMSTEP Post-Secondary Training and Educational Institutions

2.8 Under the NCMSTEP, a baccalaureate degree, post-secondary diploma or certificate is completed only through full-time studies at a Canadian:

1. college or other post-secondary training or educational institution that is accredited by a provincial or territorial ministry or federal department, and is also accredited, as applicable, by a national regulatory or certifying body (e.g. the Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Dental Association or Transport Canada); or
2. university that is accredited by a provincial or territorial ministry or federal department and has degree-granting authority.

Note – Accreditation is the public recognition that a course of study has met national standards.

Authorized NCMSTEP Courses of Study for Full-Time Subsidization

2.9 An authorized course of study for full-time subsidization under the NCMSTEP must satisfy the following criteria:

1. content:
   1. provides 70 percent or more of the basic occupational qualification training requirements;
   2. provides 70 percent or more of the academic training required for employment at the corporal/leading seaman rank; or
   3. is accredited, depending upon the requirements for the NCM military occupation, by a national regulatory or certifying body;
2. fair and reasonable cost when compared to other similar and authorized courses of study; and
3. availability:
   1. permits military training requirements to be readily satisfied;
   2. contributes to the ability of the CAF to offer subsidized training or educational opportunities at a post-secondary training or educational institution; and
   3. contributes to the ability of the CAF to offer subsidized training or educational opportunities in both official languages.

2.10 A course of study is not authorized for subsidization under the NCMSTEP if the course of study has:

1. a mandatory paid co-operative portion that forms part of the curriculum;
2. a prerequisite course or feeder program that leads to an authorized course of study. A prerequisite course or feeder program is one which prepares the learner, directly or indirectly, for entry into an authorized course of study; or
3. a requirement to gain acceptance at another post-secondary training or educational institution, or to relocate to another institution, to complete the course of study.

Removal of Course of Study from the MOL

2.11 An applicant may receive an offer of unconditional acceptance to an authorized course of study but the course of study may subsequently be removed from the NCMSTEP MOL and no longer be authorized before the applicant has started the course of study. In such a case, depending on the type of applicant the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group (CFRG) or the Director General Military Careers (DGMC) must:

1. if the date for enrolment, component transfer or military occupation transfer (MOT) has not yet been set, contact the applicant and advise the applicant to attain unconditional acceptance to another course of study that is authorized in the MOL; or
2. if the date for enrolment, component transfer or MOT has been set, contact the DPGR for a direction with respect to continued processing. The DPGR is required to consult with the military occupation advisor, TA or DTA, and CDA to review the reasons for the removal of the course of study and determine whether a waiver may be granted by the DPGR to allow continued processing of the applicant for that course of study.

3. Selection

General

3.1 The NCMSTEP is a competitive application plan. An applicant to the NCMSTEP may be a:

1. civilian with or without prior CAF service;
2. Regular Force NCM; or
3. Reserve Force member.

Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3.2 An NCMSTEP applicant must:

1. be a Canadian citizen;
2. meet or be capable of meeting the minimum operational standards for the Regular Forceset out in the DAOD 5023 series, including successful completion of the applicable CAF physical fitness test;
3. have sufficient time remaining to retirement age to:
   1. be able to complete the assigned terms of service; and
   2. complete any period of obligatory service incurred in accordance with DAOD 5049-1, Obligatory Service, or any period of service requiring a waiver of right to release;
4. possess the academic prerequisites that allow for the unconditional acceptance to an authorized NCMSTEP course of study for the assigned military occupation; and
5. attain proof of unconditional acceptance into an authorized NCMSTEP course of study for the assigned military occupation. Letters of acceptance must identify the course of study, post-secondary training or educational institution, its campus location, course of study start date, advanced standing (if any), projected cost of the course of study and graduation date.

3.3 The following table outlines additional requirements for specific types of applicants:

Military Occupation Selection and Environmental Assignment

3.4 An applicant who meets the eligibility criteria under paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3 may be assessed for NCM military occupation selection and environmental assignment. Before military occupation selection and environmental assignment, an NCMSTEP applicant must:

1. meet the entry standards listed on the DPGR intranet site for the targeted NCM military occupations;
2. meet the special requirements identified in the military occupation specification for the targeted NCM military occupations on the DPGR intranet site;
3. complete processing to measure cognitive ability, attributes and competencies in order to assess suitability for the targeted NCM military occupations; and
4. meet the minimum assigned medical standards set out in Annex E, Minimum Medical Standards for Officers/Non-Commissioned, in A-MD-154-000/FP-000, Medical Standards for the Canadian Forces, for the targeted NCM military occupations.

Selection Process

3.5 The following table outlines the NCMSTEP selection process:

Compensation and Benefits

3.6 The following table outlines compensation and benefits available to NCMSTEP NCMs:

Personnel Records Management

3.7 An applicant who is enrolled or a CAF member who is transferred under the NCMSTEP must have the designation “NCMSTEP” entered under the “Entry Plan” field by the CFRG or DGMC for purposes of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Information Management System and the Human Resources Management System.

4. Subsidized Training or Education

Period of Subsidized Training or Education

4.1 While in receipt of pay and allowances, an NCMSTEP NCM is only subsidized for that period of time required to complete an authorized course of study. The maximum period of subsidy is four years. The NCMSTEP NCM must:

1. be registered as a full-time student; and
2. follow the number of courses required in each semester, as set out in the curriculum for that course of study, to progress normally to the next academic year.

Obligatory Service for Full-time Subsidized Studies

4.2 In accordance with DAOD 5049-1, a NCMSTEP NCM normally incurs obligatory service when a course of study is six months or longer. Obligatory service is calculated on the basis of two months’ service for each month of subsidized education or training, using the start and end dates of the course of study. The maximum period of obligatory service that can be incurred for a course of study is 60 months. The duration of a course of study is counted in calendar months to the nearest half-month. Obligatory service starts the day after the course of study ceases.

4.3 An NCMSTEP NCM must complete form DND 2830-E to acknowledge the conditions and limitations that will affect their service as a result of having received subsidized training or education.

Voluntary Release after Subsidized Training or Education

4.4 Voluntary release after subsidized training or education is not a right. QR&O article 15.07, Voluntary Release After Subsidized Education or Training, limits the voluntary release of a CAF member. If a release is approved, other than when compassionate reasons are determined to exist, there is a requirement under QR&O article 15.07 for the releasing CAF member to refund all or a portion of the cost incurred by the public for the subsidized training or education.

Subsequent Subsidization

4.5 In accordance with CBI paragraph 210.80(4), when a civilian applicant, Regular Force NCM or Reserve Force member is a registered student in an authorized course of study and is accepted in the NCMSTEP subsequent to the start of the academic year, the NCMSTEP NCM is entitled to the payment of cost of their course of study back to the start of the academic year, subject to:

1. successful completion of the authorized courses undertaken during the current academic year; and
2. submission of transcripts as proof of successful completion of the courses.

Note – The academic year varies across post-secondary training and educational institutions. For the purposes of this DAOD, the academic year is based on the rules or policy for the training or educational institution that the NCM is attending.

Failure of Course or Course of Study

4.6 An NCMSTEP NCM who has failed a required course or course of study during the current academic year is not entitled to reimbursement for that course or course of study.

Scholarship, Bursary or Other Monetary Award

4.7 An NCMSTEP NCM may accept a scholarship, bursary or other monetary award that is not, by the terms of the award, to be used for any payment that is paid or reimbursed by the CAF (e.g. tuition fees, books or instruments). The NCM is required to report any monetary award to the CDA, who must review the terms of the award, to determine whether it may be retained by the NCM.

Military and Academic Standards

4.8 An NCMSTEP NCM:

1. remains subject to military law and the Code of Service Discipline;
2. must maintain satisfactory academic and military standards to be eligible for retention under the NCMSTEP;
3. must advance to the next academic year without carrying more than one condition; and
4. is subject to the applicable rules of their post-secondary training or educational institution.

Monitoring Academic Progress

4.9 The CDA monitors the academic progress of NCMSTEP NCMs. Monitoring advice and policy guidance are provided by the CDA and DPGR.

Failure to Achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress

4.10 The CDA must review the academic file of an NCMSTEP NCM who has failed a course or an academic year, or has otherwise failed to make sufficient and satisfactory academic progress. The CDA must determine if the NCM is to be:

1. retained under the NCMSTEP and allowed to repeat the course or academic year at:
   1. their own expense in accordance with QR&O article 203.20, Regular Force – Limitation of Payments; or
   2. public expense (see paragraph 4.11); or
2. removed from the NCMSTEP and:
   1. ordered, in consultation with the OA,TA or DTA, into full-time service in the assigned NCM military occupation to continue with training and employment;
   2. referred to the nearest formation, base or wing PSO to determine eligibility and suitability for further service in another NCM military occupation;
   3. processed for an-MOT-untrained to an NCM military occupation for which the NCM is eligible and suitable and for which a vacancy exists, including, as appropriate, any previously-held NCM military occupation;
   4. undergo an administrative review in accordance with DAOD 5019-2, Administrative Review; or
   5. recommended for a compulsory release from the CAF in accordance with QR&O article 15.01, Release of Officers and Non-Commissioned Members.

Note – If an NCMSTEP NCM requests a voluntary release, the CDA must assess the circumstances to determine the requirement to serve a period of obligatory service and to reimburse, in accordance with QR&O article 15.07, the CAF for the cost incurred for the subsidized training or education.

4.11 An NCMSTEP NCM who fails an academic year for medical or service reasons, as approved by the Minister, may repeat the year at public expense. Subject to the rules of the post-secondary training or educational institution being attended and the individual circumstances of the NCM, the CDA may submit a recommendation, through the Director General Compensation and Benefits to the Minister, for authorization for the NCM to repeat the year at public expense.

Supplemental Examinations

4.12 Fees for supplemental examinations are the responsibility of an NCMSTEP NCM and are not paid by the CAF.

4.13 If an NCM is required to write a supplemental examination, the NCM is to be granted permission to write the examination. If the examination is to be at a location other than where the NCM is training or on duty, the CO of the unit is authorized, with the approval of the CDA, to return the NCM to the post-secondary training or educational institution at public expense.

5. Career

Military Training

5.1 An NCM must normally attain the Regular Force BMQ or its equivalent prior to commencing full-time subsidized studies under the NCMSTEP. The CFRG or DGMC may authorize attendance on BMQ training at the end of the first subsidized academic year for those who:

1. enrol during an academic year; or
2. have scheduling conflicts between military training and their course of study that cannot be reconciled.

5.2 NCMSTEP NCMs must undergo military training during the summer training periods or academic breaks as directed by the CDA, TA or DTA.

5.3 NCMSTEP NCMs must meet the minimum physical fitness standard as set out in DAOD 5023-2, Physical Fitness Program. Failure to attain the required physical fitness standard may result in administrative action under DAOD 5023-2, including release.

BMQ Not Attained

5.4 The following table sets out the consequences for an NCMSTEP NCM who has been unsuccessful in attaining the BMQ:

Voluntary Withdrawal from the NCMSTEP

5.5 An NCMSTEP NCM may request in writing, to the CDA/Staff Officer, Basic Training List Management, permission to voluntarily withdraw from subsidized training or education under the NCMSTEP. If approved, the following table sets out the career options for the NCM:

Voluntary MOT

5.6 An NCMSTEP NCM who is untrained (i.e. has not reached the operationally functional point for their assigned military occupation) may apply for a voluntary MOT-untrained to another military occupation prior to the date that obligatory service is incurred. If the NCM’s course of study is:

1. an authorized course of study for the targeted military occupation and the NCM is selected for a voluntary MOT-untrained, the NCM may continue with subsidized studies under the NCMSTEP; or
2. not an authorized course of study for the targeted military occupation and the NCM is selected for a voluntary MOT-untrained, the NCM must be:
   1. removed from the NCMSTEP; and
   2. assigned to basic occupational qualification training for the newly assigned military occupation as determined by the CDA and TA or DTA.

5.7 An NCMSTEP NCM, who is trained (i.e. has attained the operationally functional point for their assigned military occupation), and is serving on a period of obligatory service for full-time subsidized studies, is restricted from applying for a voluntary MOT-trained until the day following the expiration of the period of obligatory service. Only the DGMC may authorize, under exceptional circumstances and on a case by case basis, an application for a voluntary MOT-trained before the expiration of the period of obligatory service.

Promotion

5.8 The NCMSTEP career profiles that are contained in the NCMSTEP MOL, and the NCM military occupation specifications for the NCM military occupations listed on the DPGR intranet site, set out the occupational, training and educational requirements for promotion to a higher rank. An NCMSTEP NCM may be promoted to a higher rank when the conditions and standards for promotion are satisfied as set out in CAF promotion policy and under the NCMSTEP.

6. Consequences

Consequences of Non-Compliance

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

7. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

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

8. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• QR&O article 3.08, Master Corporal Appointment
• QR&O article 10.04, Voluntary Transfer to Reserve Force
• QR&O article 11.10, Reversion and Remustering for Inefficiency
• QR&O article 11.12, Relinquishment of Rank
• QR&O article 11.13, Compulsory Remustering of Non-Commissioned Members
• QR&O article 15.01, Release of Officers and Non-Commissioned Members
• QR&O article 15.07, Voluntary Release After Subsidized Education or Training
• QR&O Chapter 16, Leave
• QR&O article 34.07, Entitlement to Medical Care
• QR&O article 35.04, Entitlement to Dental Treatment
• QR&O article 203.20, Regular Force – Limitation of Payments
• CBI Chapter 204, Pay of Officers and Non-Commissioned Members
• CBI Chapter 205, Allowances for Officers and Non-Commissioned Members
• CBI Chapter 210, Miscellaneous Entitlements and Grants
• DAOD 5002-0, Military Personnel Requirements and Production

Other References

• DAOD 5001-2, Maternity and Parental Benefits
• DAOD 5002-1, Enrolment
• DAOD 5002-3, Component and Sub-Component Transfer
• DAOD 5002-5, Canadian Forces Personnel Selection
• DAOD 5003-5, Pregnancy Administration
• DAOD 5019-2, Administrative Review
• DAOD 5023-1, Minimum Operational Standards Related to Universality of Service
• DAOD 5023-2, Physical Fitness Program
• DAOD 5031-2, Individual Training and Education Strategic Framework
• DAOD 5039-0, Official Languages
• DAOD 5049-1, Obligatory Service
• DAOD 5060-0, Leave
• DAOD 5070-0, Military Employment Structure
• CFAO 11-5, Occupation Assignment and Reassignment of Non-Commissioned Members
• CFAO 11-12, Occupation Transfer of Non-Commissioned Members – Regular Force
• CFAO 49-4, Career Policy – Non-Commissioned Members – Regular Force
• A-MD-154-000/FP-000, Medical Standards for the Canadian Forces
• A-PD-055-001/AG-001, The Canadian Forces Military Employment Structure, Volume 1, General (available in paper copy only)
• A-PP-005-LVE/AG-001, Canadian Forces Leave Policy Manual
• ADM(HR-Mil) Instruction 05/05, The New CF Regular Force Terms of Service
• CF Military Personnel Instruction 02/07, Authority and Management Framework – Military Employment Structure (MES)
• CF Military Personnel Instruction 01/08, Annual Military Occupation Review (AMOR)
• CF Military Personnel Instruction 03/08, Canadian Forces Component Transfer and Component Transfer Career Programs
• CF Military Personnel Instruction 06/09, Physical Fitness Program for Untrained CF Personnel
• Form DND 2830-E, Statement of Understanding (Obligatory Service on Receipt of Subsidized Education or Training)
• Canadian Defence Academy Subsidized Education Management intranet site
• Canadian Armed Forces College Opportunities Directory (CAFCOD) Web site
• Canadian Armed Forces College Opportunities Program (CAFCOP) intranet site
• DPGR intranet site