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DAOD 5511-0, Promotion and Other Rank Changes

Table of Contents

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

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2026-03-05

Effective Date: 2026-03-05

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

Supersession:

Approval Authority: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

Enquiries: Administrative Response Centre (ARC)

2. Definitions

entry into the promotion zone date (date d’entrée dans la zone de promotion)

The day on which a CAF member becomes eligible for consideration for promotion to the next rank.

Note 1 – Eligibility requires the accumulation of a specified time in the CAF member’s current substantive rank and military occupation.

Note 2 – Time in rank in other than the CAF member’s current military occupation may also be counted. (Defence Terminology Bank record number to be assigned)

rank change (changement de grade)

A promotion, a grant of acting rank, or a relinquishment, reversion or reduction of rank. (Defence Terminology Bank record number to be assigned)

reduction in rank (rétrogradation)

[A] compulsory demotion from a substantive or temporary rank to a lower rank consequent upon a sentence imposed by a court martial or a sanction imposed in respect of a service infraction. (Article 1.02 of the Queen’s Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces)

reversion (retour à un grade inférieur)

The return to lower rank other than by reduction.

Note – Reversion also takes place at the completion of a period of Acting While So Employed (AWSE) rank. (Article 1.02 of the Queen’s Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces)

3. Policy Direction

Context

3.1 The CAF fills its leadership positions by developing and promoting junior CAF members. Section 28 of the NDA provides that the MND or such military authorities of the CAF as prescribed in regulations may promote and appoint CAF members to various ranks. Promotion is the progression of a CAF member from one substantive rank to a higher substantive rank. Other rank changes can occur through a grant of acting rank or appointment, reduction, relinquishment or reversion in rank. QR&O 11.01, Authority for Promotion and 11.02, Conditions Governing Promotion provide the authority for promotion and set conditions governing promotion, respectively. Furthermore, they permit the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) to establish conditions and standards for promotion. Conditions cannot be waived on a case-by-case basis but they can be rescinded by the CDS. The CDS may, in any instance or in any given circumstances, direct that the requirement to meet a standard be waived on a case-by-case basis or through a process such as for accelerated promotion.

3.2 A CAF member’s rank can be substantive, temporary, or acting:

  1. substantive rank is the CAF member’s confirmed rank which can only be decreased by reduction or reversion in rank. A CAF member who is selected for promotion is normally promoted to substantive rank;
  2. temporary rank, in addition to and higher than the CAF member’s substantive rank, may be authorized for a CAF member when, depending on the component, they are on active service, in accordance with orders issued by the CDS, for the duration of that active service; and
  3. acting rank may be granted by a promotion authority at any time to meet CAF requirements. It normally involves a CAF member filling a higher rank position on a short-term basis. A CAF member can hold an acting rank in addition to a temporary rank.

Note – QR&O 3.01, Ranks and Designation of Ranks, sets out the ranks and designation of ranks for CAF members wearing the RCN, CA, RCAF and CANSOFCOM uniforms. Abbreviations of ranks and designations of rank in this DAOD are used in accordance with the DTB.

3.3 Promotion is not an entitlement. The development of future leaders and promotion on merit into positions of increasing responsibility and authority necessitates control measures such as that are required by QR&O 2.09, Maximum Numbers of Officers and Non-Commissioned Members be adhered to as CAF members advance in rank. The MND, the CDS or an officer who has been delegated the requisite authority may promote someone to the next higher substantive rank to fill a vacancy on the establishment. In all circumstances, the promotion of a CAF member to a higher substantive rank will be based on the merit principle by which a CAF member is selected for promotion based on their relative standing on an objective comparative list and will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the principle of procedural fairness. A grant of acting rank can be made to meet the needs of the service.

Conditions and Standards for Promotion

3.4 QR&O 11.02, Conditions Governing Promotion prescribes the conditions for promotion and allows the CDS to prescribe standards for promotion and any other conditions. A condition for promotion is a situation, circumstance, factor, or state that must exist or be present before a CAF member can advance to the next higher substantive rank.

3.5 A standard for promotion is an established and pre-determined benchmark level of achievement and or personal accomplishment such as training, qualification and/or experience criteria, time in rank prior to entry into the promotion zone (EPZ), and physical fitness evaluation required to advance to the next higher substantive rank.

3.6 The conditions and standards for the promotion of CAF members are detailed in Annex A of CAF Military Personnel Instruction (CAFMPI) 01/26, Promotion and Other Rank Changes. The CAFMPI also details policy and procedures for other aspects of promotion and other rank changes such as seniority, effective date of promotion, EPZ date and accelerated promotion to name a few.

Policy Statement

3.7 The CAF is committed to the promotion, appointment or other rank changes of CAF members through a fair, objective, and defensible process to meet the needs of the service in filling vacancies in the CAF establishment when the conditions and standards for promotion, or circumstances for other rank changes, as prescribed in regulations are met to fulfil the defence mission.

Requirements

3.8 To implement this policy, the CAF must:

  1. maintain a process to determine the needs of the service based on vacancies in the CAF establishment and the requisite experience and qualifications those positions require;
  2. establish defensible conditions and expected standards for promotion, and state the circumstances by which a promotion, appointment, or other rank changes can occur; and
  3. maintain a process to recommend, select and approve CAF members for promotion or appointments based on their relative standing on an objective comparative list, i.e., their merit. See DAOD 5059-0, Performance Appraisal of Canadian Forces Members, CAFMPI 01/23, Performance and Competency Evaluation (PaCE) and the CAF Selection Board Guidance Manual.

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 channel of communication or chain of command, as appropriate. The anticipated results set out in the policy statement may not be achieved by the DND and the CAF if the requirements specified in this DAOD are not properly implemented. Not achieving the anticipated results could affect the ability of the DND 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, a, or an … has or have the authority to …
CDS
  • recommend for approval by the MND of the promotion of officers to the rank of BGen/Cmdre and above
  • establish additional conditions and any standards for promotion;
  • rescind any condition they establish for promotion;
  • direct that a standard for promotion be waived; and
  • delegate approval authority for promotion and other rank changes as prescribed in regulations
Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)
  • issue functional direction for all CAF promotion and other rank changes policy and any related matters.
officer commanding a command (OCC) or an officer designated as an officer having the power and jurisdiction of an OCC
  • implement CAF promotion and other rank changes policy for Reserve Force members under their command;
  • exercise the approval authority delegated by the CDS for the promotion and other rank changes of Reserve Force members under their command; and
  • develop, promulgate and oversee procedures to implement promotion and other rank changes policy for Reserve Force members under their command in accordance with CMP functional direction
Director General Military Careers (DGMC)
  • implement CAF promotion and other rank changes policy for the Regular Force;
  • exercise the approval authority delegated by the CDS for the promotion and other rank changes of Regular Force members at LCol/Cdr rank and below; and
  • develop, promulgate and oversee procedures to implement promotion and other rank changes policy for the Regular Force in accordance with CMP functional direction.
Director Military Careers Policy and Grievances (DMCPG)
  • oversee and advise on the development of promotion and other rank changes policy.

Note 1 – The promotion recommendation is made by selection boards convened under the authority of DGMC for Regular Force or an OCC for Reserve Force when used and the approval of the resulting selection list of those who merit promotion. The CO’s role in the promotion is to verify that the promotion can be completed as intended or they can “not concur” if there is an issue. Form DND 4100 Promotion/Appointment Verification Screening is used for this.

Note 2 – See CAFMPI 01/26 for who can be recommending and approving authorities for each rank on the promotion screening form DND 4100.

6. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

Other References

Page details

2026-03-23