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DAOD 5018-0, Support Management for Injured or Ill Canadian Armed Forces Members and Military Casualties

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Definitions
  3. Policy Direction
  4. Consequences
  5. Authorities
  6. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2001-06-26

Date of Last Modification: 2018-08-15

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

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Director Casualty Support Management (DCSM)

2. Definitions

injured or ill CAF member (militaire blessé ou malade)

A CAF member who is suffering from an injury, disease or illness that results in temporary or permanent physical or psychological harm.

Note – The definition of “injured or ill CAF member” includes a “seriously injured or ill CAF member” and a “very seriously injured or ill CAF member”. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 43113)

military casualty (perte militaire)

A CAF member who is seriously injured or ill, is very seriously injured or ill, is reported missing, is a prisoner of war, or is killed or dies. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 43138)

seriously injured or ill CAF member (militaire gravement blessé ou malade)

An injured or ill CAF member whose injury, disease or illness causes immediate concern but the CAF member’s life is not in immediate danger. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 43243)

very seriously injured or ill CAF member (militaire très gravement blessé ou malade)

An injured or ill CAF member whose injury, disease or illness causes the CAF member’s life to be in immediate danger. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 43182)

3. Policy Direction

Context

3.1 CAF members may be injured or affected by diseases or illnesses as a result of their service, including operations and training in different areas under a variety of hazardous environments.

Policy Statement

3.2 The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are committed to comprehensive support management for injured or ill CAF members and military casualties, including the:

  1. provision of adequate care and support to injured or ill CAF members;
  2. provision of adequate support to the immediate family members of injured or ill CAF members and military casualties;
  3. recognition of the service and sacrifice of CAF members, former CAF members and members of the former Services in the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces (NMC);
  4. promotion and facilitation of the timely return to duty of injured or ill CAF members; and
  5. issuing of certificates of death and presumptions of death in respect of CAF members in appropriate circumstances.

Requirements

3.3 The CAF must ensure that:

  1. all circumstances resulting in injured or ill CAF members and military casualties are appropriately reported and documented;
  2. emergency contact persons for injured or ill CAF members and military casualties can be readily identified by CAF authorities;
  3. CAF members and their families are made aware of the resources available for injured or ill CAF members and military casualties;
  4. a casualty support guide is developed and made accessible to casualty support officers;
  5. transition assistance is provided to CAF members who are released for medical reasons due to injuries, diseases or illnesses;
  6. appropriate eligibility criteria are established for the interment in the NMC of deceased CAF members, former CAF members, members of the former Services and other persons;
  7. a comprehensive recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration program is established for the return to duty of injured or ill CAF members; and
  8. certificates of death and presumptions of death are issued in accordance with Queen’s Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces (QR&O) article 26.20, Certificates of Death or Presumption of Death.

4. Consequences

General

4.1 Should clarification of the policy statement, requirements or authorities set out in this DAOD be required, CAF members may seek direction through their chain of command. The anticipated results set out in the policy statement may not be achieved by the CAF if the requirements specified in this DAOD are not properly implemented. Not achieving the anticipated results could affect the ability of the Department of National Defence and the CAF to ensure that the CAF is prepared to undertake missions for the protection of Canada and Canadians and the maintenance of international peace and stability.

5. Authorities

Authority Table

5.1 The following table identifies the authorities associated with this DAOD:

The ... has the authority to ...

CMP
  • issue policies and instructions in respect of casualty support management, including the:
    • reporting and administration of military casualties;
    • reporting of the injuries, diseases and illnesses of CAF members;
    • eligibility for interment in the NMC and related administration;
    • return to duty of injured or ill CAF members; and
    • issuance of certificates of death and presumptions of death.

DCSM
  • coordinate the development of policies and instructions in respect of casualty support management and evaluate their effectiveness.

6. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

Other References

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