DAOD 5023-1, Minimum Operational Standards Related to Universality of Service

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Operating Principles
3. Applicability of Minimum Operational Standards to Groups
4. Applicability of Minimum Operational Standards to Individuals
5. Compliance and Consequences
6. Responsibilities
7. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2006-05-19

Effective Date: 2006-05-08

Date of Last Modification: 2022-06-24

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

Supersession: ADM(HR-Mil) memorandum dated 6 Nov 00, Changes to Universality of Service Policy Application

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Policy Office of Primary Interest: Director Military Careers Policy and Grievances (DMCPG)

Enquiries: Administrative Response Centre (ARC)

2. Operating Principles

Application

2.1 The application of the minimum operational standards related to universality of service is set out in the following table:

Context

2.2 The overriding purpose of the Reg F and the P Res is to conduct and support military operations. The Supp Res provides an augmentation capability for the Reg F and P Res as well as for other sub-components. The COATS primary duty is the supervision, administration and training of cadets. The Canadian Rangers provide a military presence in sparsely settled, northern, coastal and isolated areas of Canada.

2.3 All CAF members who serve in or with the Reg F and P Res are expected to be able to contribute to, and be ready for, operational duty in the service of the nation when required. The inability of CAF members to do so reduces the capability and flexibility of the CAF to mount and sustain operations.

Minimum Operational Standards

2.4 The following table sets out the minimum operational standards related to the principle of universality of service. These standards reflect the minimum standards and may be increased for operational, environmental or military occupational requirements as detailed in other DAODs, policies and operational orders.

Breach of Minimum Operational Standards

2.5 If it is determined after an administrative review (AR) by the appropriate authority that a member of the Reg F or P Res is permanently unable to meet one or more of the minimum operational standards, the CAF member must be:

1. released from the Reg F or P Res, or a recommendation made for release, as applicable; or
2. retained subject to employment limitations on a temporary, transitional basis.

Temporary Employment Limitation

2.6 A temporary employment limitation for a CAF member which results in the inability of the CAF member to meet the minimum operational standards is not considered a breach of those standards.

Restriction of Duty

2.7 A restriction of duty imposed on a CAF member under DAOD 5516-4, Restrictions of Duty, is not a breach of the minimum operational standards.

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3. Applicability of Minimum Operational Standards to Groups

CAF Members under the Age of 18

3.1 Section 34 of the National Defence Act (NDA) prohibits the deployment of a CAF member under the age of 18 to a theatre of hostilities. This restriction was imposed to discharge Canada's international treaty obligations and is not considered a breach of the minimum operational standards.

Chaplains

3.2 QR&O 33.07(3) provides that chaplains must not be required to perform any duty other than those pertaining to their calling. Accordingly, chaplains are exempt from the requirement to perform general military duties and common defence and security tasks.

3.3 Chaplains are still required to meet the CMTFE standards, and be medically fit and deployable.

Supp Res, COATS and Canadian Rangers

3.4 CAF members of the Supp Res, COATS and Canadian Rangers are not required to meet the minimum operational standards unless attached, seconded or transferred on consent to the Reg F or P Res.

3.5 CAF members of the COATS and the Canadian Rangers are liable for general service under section 33 of the NDA. They could be called out in an emergency or be placed on active service in Canada, and are required to perform general military duties in these circumstances.

4. Applicability of Minimum Operational Standards to Individuals

Retention Subject to Employment Limitations

4.1 If the recommendation of an AR is the release of a CAF member because the CAF member is in breach of the minimum operational standards, the CAF member may be retained subject to employment limitations only on a temporary, transitional basis if there is:

1. a critical shortage in the CAF member's military occupation; or
2. a requirement for a specific skill set.

4.2 A CAF member who is not military-occupation qualified and is in breach of the minimum operational standards is not to be retained.

Retention Subject to Employment Limitations Process

4.3 The process to determine the limits for the retention of a CAF member subject to employment limitations is set out in the following table:

Period of Retention Subject to Employment Limitations

4.4 The period of retention of a CAF member who is subject to employment limitations is set out in the following table:

4.5 The period of retention during which a CAF member is subject to employment limitations only applies while the CAF member is serving in his or her current component or sub-component and may not be transferred to another component or sub-component.

Career Implications

4.6 Any period of retention subject to employment limitations is a transitional period of service leading to release from the Reg F or P Res. During this period the CAF member is expected to perform all military duties except those related to the CAF member's employment limitations. During the period of retention, a CAF member:

1. remains liable for posting for service requirements only;
2. is not eligible for career courses (see DAOD 5031-8, Canadian Forces Professional Development); and
3. is only eligible for promotion if he or she meets the applicable promotion criteria.

4.7 Upon completion of a period of retention subject to employment limitations, a CAF member is only eligible to be considered for a component or sub-component transfer to the Supp Res, Canadian Rangers or COATS.

5. Compliance and Consequences

Compliance

5.1 CAF members must comply with this DAOD. Should clarification of the policies or instructions set out in this DAOD be required, CAF members may seek direction through their chain of command. Military supervisors have the primary responsibility for and means of ensuring the compliance of CAF members with this DAOD.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

5.2 CAF members are accountable to their military supervisors for any failure to comply with the direction set out in this DAOD. Non-compliance with this DAOD may have consequences for both the DND and the CAF as institutions, and for CAF members as individuals. Suspected non-compliance may be investigated. Military supervisors must take or direct appropriate corrective measures if non-compliance with this DAOD is detected.

5.3 The nature and severity of the consequences resulting from non-compliance should be commensurate with the circumstances of the non-compliance and other relevant circumstances. Consequences of non-compliance may include one or more of the following:

a.     the ordering of the completion of appropriate learning, training or professional development;

b.     the entering of observations in individual performance evaluations;

c.      increased reporting and performance monitoring;

d.     the withdrawal of any authority provided under this DAOD to a CAF member;

e.     the reporting of suspected offences to responsible law enforcement agencies;

f.       the application of specific consequences as set out in applicable laws, codes of conduct, and DND and CAF policies and instructions;

g.     other administrative or disciplinary action, or both, for a CAF member; and     

h.     the imposition of liability on the part of Her Majesty in right of Canada and CAF members.

6. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

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

7. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Canadian Human Rights Act
• National Defence Act
• QR&O article 33.03, Chaplain General
• QR&O article 33.07, Chaplains
• DAOD 5023-0, Universality of Service

Other References

• DAOD 2020-3, Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service
• DAOD 5002-3, Component and Sub-Component Transfer
• DAOD 5019-2, Administrative Review
• DAOD 5023-2, Common Military Tasks Fitness Evaluation
• DAOD 5031-8, Canadian Forces Professional Development
• DAOD 5516-4, Restrictions of Duty
• CFAO 11-6, Commissioning And Promotion Policy - Officers - Regular Force
• CFAO 49-4, Career Policy Non-Commissioned Members Regular Force
• CFAO 49-5, Career Policy - Non-Commissioned Member - Primary Reserve
• CFAO 49-12, Promotion Policy - Officers - Primary Reserve
• A-MD-154-000/FP-000, Canadian Armed Forces Medical Standards
• ADM(HR-Mil) Instruction 11/04, Canadian Forces Medical Standards
• CAF MIL PERS INSTR 01/08, Annual Military Occupation Review (AMOR)
• CMTFE Operations Manual
• FORCE Operations Manual