DAOD 5031-7, Initial Baccalaureate Degree Programme

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview
3. Operating Principles
4. Financial Entitlements
5. Process
6. Responsibilities
7. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2000-09-13

Application: This is an order that applies to officers of the Canadian ArmedForces (CAF), Regular Force.

Supersession: CFAO 9-40, University Training Plan - Officers

Approval Authority: This DAOD is issued under the authority of the Director Training and Education Policy (DTEP).

Enquiries:

• Director Training and Education Policy (DTEP) (policy)
• Director Military Careers (D Mil C) (programme administration)

2. Overview

General

2.1 Education is an integral part of officer professional development and the CAF encourages officers to pursue continuing education on their own volition.

2.2 The CAF has established a goal to have all officers, with the exception of those commissioned from the ranks, hold a university degree. In support of this goal, the CAF has established a programme to provide subsidized education to eligible officers in pursuit of their initial baccalaureate degree.

2.3 This DAOD outlines the conditions and benefits associated with this programme. It does not preclude other initiatives that have been put in place in support of continuing education.

3. Operating Principles

Eligibility

3.1 To be eligible for subsidized education under this DAOD, officers must:

1. not be medically restricted;
2. not hold a baccalaureate or higher degree;
3. be serving in the Regular Force and have served for at least three years after becoming qualified in their current military occupation;
4. demonstrate a commitment to educational upgrading;
5. normally be able to obtain a baccalaureate within a maximum of 16 months of full-time academic training by attending class or through distance education;
6. be admissible to a Canadian university or the Canadian Forces Military College (CFMC); and
7. have sufficient time remaining in their current terms of service to complete any previously incurred obligatory service plus that required after subsidized education under this DAOD. If not, then a change to the terms of service may be administered in accordance with DAOD 5049-1, Obligatory Service.

Notes -

1. This DAOD does not provide subsidized education for a second baccalaureate or higher degree.
2. Officers who have previously failed, or withdrawn from, a full-time university programme subsidized by the CAF may be reconsidered under this DAOD (see the section entitled, "Failure or Early Withdrawal").

Selection Board

3.2 Director General Military Careers (DGMC) will appoint the selection board annually to meet during the September - February timeframe.

General Principles

3.3 Officers selected for subsidized education under this DAOD:

1. may not deviate from the course plan or change universities without prior approval from D Mil C;
2. may be authorized by D Mil C to attend summer school;
3. will be assigned by D Mil C to regular duty during recesses, if not attending summer school between semesters; and
4. will be returned to normal duties following graduation.

Leave

3.4 Officers shall submit leave requests to the applicable unit administrative staff or to the CFMC, as applicable, for approval.

3.5 D Mil C must be advised of any leave granted to an officer during the period of subsidized education under this DAOD.

Failure or Early Withdrawal

3.6 Officers who fail an academic year or semester of subsidized education will:

1. normally be returned to regular duty; and
2. incur obligatory service in accordance with DAOD 5049-1, Obligatory Service.

3.7 Officers who have failed, or withdrawn from, a full-time subsidized university programme may apply:

1. to D Mil C for permission to repeat an academic year or semester at their own expense on leave without pay (LWOP) in accordance with A-PP-005-LVE/AG-001, Canadian Forces Leave Policy Manual; or
2. to be reconsidered for subsidized education under this DAOD if they meet the eligibility criteria and are recommended by their commanding officer (CO).

3.8 The recommendation by a CO should:

1. clearly indicate improved motivation, experience and maturity on the part of the officer; and
2. be supported by documentary evidence of enhanced educational qualifications.

3.9 Subject to military requirements and on the recommendation of the university or CFMC, as appropriate, D Mil C may grant permission for an officer to repeat an academic year or semester of subsidized education under this DAOD if the academic failure or withdrawal was beyond the control of the officer, or was a result of military requirements.Upon successful completion of an academic year or semester that was repeated at the expense of the officer, D Mil C may approve reinstatement of subsidized education under this DAOD.

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4. Financial Entitlements

4.1 Officers provided subsidized education under this DAOD receive normal pay and allowances, and are entitled to reimbursement of expenses for tuition, books and other mandatory fees or expenses in accordance with, CBI 210.80, Tuition Fees, Books and Instruments - Officers and Non-Commissioned Members of the Regular Force at Canadian Military Colleges, Universities, Academic Institutes or Courses Not Within the Canadian Forces.

4.2 Claims will be processed in accordance with CFAO 210-13, Subsidized University Education - Tuition, Fees, Textbooks and Instruments.

4.3 Cash advances may be authorized to assist in tuition payment and education expenses.

4.4 Officers attending the CFMC are not charged for tuition, books or instruments except when repeating an academic year at their own expense.

5. Process

Selection Process

5.1 Through the chain of command, eligible officers may indicate their desire to obtain a baccalaureate degree with subsidized education under this DAOD.

5.2 Eligible officers shall complete Form DND 2887, Initial Baccalaureate Degree Programme.

5.3 Normally career managers, in consultation with managing authorities, produce lists of eligible candidates. With the concurrence of D Mil C, a branch representative may assist in producing a list of eligible candidates.

5.4 A selection board will generate a ranked list of selected candidates. The selection criteria will include, but not be limited to:

1. military performance;
2. academic performance;
3. breadth of professional development; and
4. potential.

Process Table

5.5 The following table outlines the process to be followed for the Initial Baccalaureate Degree Program.

6. Responsibilities

Responsibilities Table

6.1 The following table outlines the primary responsibilities for the Initial Baccalaureate Degree Programme.

7. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• QR&O 15.01, Release of Officers and Non-commissioned Members
• QR&O 15.07, Voluntary Release After Subsidized Education or Training
• QR&O 15.075, Voluntary Release After Receipt of Pilot Terminable Allowance
• QR&O 203.20, Officers - Regular Force - Limitation of Payments
• CBI 210.80, Tuition Fees, Books and Instruments - Officers and Non-Commissioned Members of the Regular Force at Canadian Military Colleges, Universities, Academic Institutes or Courses Not Within the Canadian Forces
• DAOD 5038-0, Professional Development

Other References

• DAOD 5031-8, Canadian Forces Professional Development
• DAOD 5049-1, Obligatory Service
• CFAO 10-1, Officer Transfer - Military Occupation Regular Force
• CFAO 11-6, Commissioning and Promotion Policy - Officers - Regular Force
• CFAO 15-2, Release - Regular Force
• CFAO 49-9, Terms of Service - General Service Officers - Regular Force
• CFAO 54-4, Educational Qualifications
• CFAO 210-13, Subsidized University Education - Tuition, Fees, Textbooks and Instruments
• A-MD-154-000/FP-000, Medical Standards for the Canadian Forces
• A-PP-005-LVE/AG-001, Canadian Forces Leave Policy Manual
• Form DND 2887, Initial Baccalaureate Degree Programme