Release Administration
The release administration process is one of the most important elements of your transition. Throughout this important activity, you will find out about your options and entitlements; this will help you develop and define your individual transition plan.
Intro to Releases and Component Transfers (CT)
First off, it is important to know that a Component Transfer (CT) is not a release but because a member requires an approving authority to endorse the request it is initiated in a similar way to a voluntary release. Additionally, out-clearance and benefits administration must be conducted because the member is transferring between components of the CAF.
A release from the CAF is either compulsory or voluntary. A compulsory release is initiated by the CAF, whereas a voluntary release is initiated by the member. For administrative reasons and for purposes of providing appropriate release benefits, compulsory and voluntary releases have been grouped into categories, which in turn have been subdivided into various reasons for release.
Release Categories and Items
There are four compulsory categories (Misconduct, Unsatisfactory Service, Medical and Service Completed) and one voluntary category (Voluntary). It is emphasised that the reason for release item occurs after the reason for release has been determined, and the purpose of such release items is to identify, for administrative purposes, the reason for, and conditions of, each release.
QR&O 15.01 Release of Officer and Non-Commissioned Members
Release Items
- Misconduct
- 1A Sentenced to Dismissal
- 1B Service Misconduct
- 1C Illegally absent
- 1D Fraudulent Statement on Enrolment
- Unsatisfactory Service
- 2A Unsatisfactory conduct
- 2B Unsatisfactory performance
- Medical
- 3A Unfit all duties
- 3B Unfit trade/employment
- Voluntary
- 4A Immediate annuitant
- 4B Completion of a fixed period of service
- 4C On request – other causes
- Service Completed
- 5A Retirement age
- 5B Reduction in strength
- 5C Completed service
- 5D Not advantageously employabl
- 5E Irregular enrolment
- 5F Unsuitable for further service
Release Authorities
The CDS Designated Release Authorities table governs who will be the release authority depending on rank, reason for release (item) and component.
Regular Force CDS Designated Release Authorities (Accessible only on the National Defence network)
Reserve Force CDS Designated Release Authorities (Accessible only on the National Defence network)
Voluntary Release/Component Transfer application
A voluntary release (VR) or component transfer (CT) is initiated by the member. You can now submit your VR/CT and apply to transition online (Accessible only on the National Defence network).
Compulsory Release Process
The compulsory release process is initiated by a release authority and not by the member.
A compulsory release can result from a number of reasons such as but not limited to, basic training or performance failure, non-compliance with the Universality of Service (U of S), disciplinary, or administrative issues. Members will be notified of a compulsory release through a notice of intent initiated by the applicable release authority.
Benefits and Entitlements
Your release benefits and entitlements will depend on your release item, length of service and other particularities of your service. This next portion of the guide will walk you through different benefits. Your release administrator will confirm these entitlements with you during your release interview.
30-day Protected Period
The CAF is committed to supporting the 30-day Protected Period immediately preceding a CAF member’s date of honorable release or commencement of retirement leave. During this period, you should be able to focus on your transition plan, complete administrative tasks, and release activities. However, although your focus will be on the Military Civilian Transition related activities, which will take precedence during this period, you will still be required to report to your current place of duty daily.
30 Day Protected Period (Accessible only on the National Defence network)
Request for Change of Release Base (CORB) (Reg F only)
To facilitate your transition, you may want to consider releasing from another location. The CORB is strictly an administrative process designed to facilitate the release proceedings and assist in your transition to civilian life. There is no entitlement to any additional benefits on top of those that would apply if you were released at your last place of duty. You can request a CORB in writing at any time by notifying your release administrator. If a CORB is requested in advance of commencement of retirement leave or release date, gainful employment must be secured at the gaining URS with both losing and gaining CO’s concurrence, before a request can be approved. For more information, you can discuss this option with your release administrator.
Canadian Forces Severances Pay (CFSP)
The CFSP is a lump sum payment paid to the member upon release under specific circumstances based on pre-defined eligibility criteria. Depending on your release item and your enrolment date, you may be entitled to the CFSP. Your release administrator will let you know if you are eligible during your initial release interview. For more information, you can also visit the Government of Canada website for Severance Pay FAQ.
CFSP calculation
- Paid at your substantive rank pay rate
- For most members CFSP is calculated up to 29 Feb 2012
- Senior officer end date for calculated may be up to 30 Sep 2012
- Exceptional member release item - 3(a), 3(b), 5(b), 5(c)*, 5(d) and, 5(e) - CFSP is calculated up to the release date
- Calculated from the CAF enrollment date
- Max entitlement is 30 years lifetime
*Member has not reached retirement age under QR&O Chapter 15 but has completed the period of service required because of a change in classification or trade specifications.
MONTHLY RATE OF PAY / 30 x 7 x YEARS OF ENTITLEMENT (Reg F)
DAILY RATE OF PAY x 7 x YEARS OF ENTITLEMENT (Res F)
CBI 204.40 Canadian Forces Severance Pay
Leave Entitlements upon Release
For Regular Force members, you must verify the status of your remaining leave entitlement with your respective orderly room. This will help you identify your final release date and make an informed decision whether you wish to take retirement leave or cash out your leave credits.
Regular Force retirement leave is all the leave granted to you immediately prior to release from or transfer from the Regular Force. Retirement leave may include the following types of leave and shall be granted only prior to your release or transfer date in the following order’ Annual, Accumulated, and Accrued. Retirement leave does not need to be taken as leave days; you can cash out all your leave, or you can do a partial cash out. You may request it during your release interview. You are to be aware that the payment of your cash out will only be made after your effective date of release and that a request for payment in lieu of retirement leave is irrevocable once the approving authority has authorized it.
The amount of the Payment in Lieu of Retirement Leave is calculated as follow:
(A × 12 ÷ 2087.04 × 8 × N)
A: is your monthly rate of pay for the rank and pay increment that you hold on the day you apply for this allowance; and
N: is the sum of (the number of days of annual leave) + (the number of days of accumulated leave) for which you apply for this allowance.
Annual leave entitlement depends on the years of service that you have. Here is a breakdown to help you calculate your leave entitlement at release or for cash out purposes:
- If you have not completed 5 years of service, calculate 2 days per month to a maximum of 20 days per fiscal year;
- If you have at least five years of service but less than 28 years of service, calculate two days for the first 11 months and three days for the 12th month to a maximum of 25 days; and
- If you have completed at least 28 years of service, calculate two and a half day for each month during that fiscal year, rounded up to the nearest whole number to a maximum of 30 days.
Note: you do not collect annual leave while on retirement leave
QR&O: Volume I - Chapter 16 Leave - Canada.ca
CBI 205.77 Payment in Lieu of Retirement Leave
Request pension benefit package
EMAA Pay Statement
You will be receiving pay statements up to 6 months after your date of release. Ensure you have changed your email address in EMAA (mil.ca) (Accessible only on the National Defence network) to reflect your personal email address (not your DWAN account). In addition, your current fiscal year T4 will be sent to that address.
Component Transfer
The Component Transfer (CT) process for Regular Force members going to the Primary Reserve (PRes), Supplementary Reserve (Supp Res), or Rangers will be done through the release section. A CT to the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS) will be facilitated through a Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre (CFRC). If you are planning to transfer to the PRes, it is your responsibility to seek out employment with them yourself. They will provide you the paperwork and along with the position number to provide to your release administrator. The process to transfer to a sub-component is completed and authorized through the unit.
DAOD 5002-3, Component and Sub-Component Transfer - Canada.ca
CF Component Transfer and Component Transfer Career Programs (Accessible only on the National Defence network)
Only members releasing under Items 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), 5(a), 5(c) or 5(d) are eligible for a transfer to the Supp Res. In addition, members must have reached their operationally functional point (OFP) and must be at least one year from the Compulsory Retirement Age (CRA).
* Transfer to the Supp Res might impact your pension - contact the Pension Centre for more information.
DAOD 2020-4, Supplementary Reserve - Canada.ca
Supplementary Reserves (Accessible only on the National Defence network)
If you are planning to transfer from the Reserve Force to the Regular Force, you must submit your Component Transfer application through the Director Military Career Policy and Grievances 5 (DMCPG 5) CTIntake-AdmissionME@forces.gc.ca. Visit DMCPG 5 website (Accessible only on the National Defence network) for more information.
Transferring to the Public Service
If your intent is to transfer to the Public Service, you may want to consult the CAF member transitioning to a public service position (mil.ca) guide, the benefits guide former CAF members (canada.ca), or contact HR Connect RH (Accessible only on the National Defence network) for more information. When considering this transfer, remember to ensure there is no break in service between the CAF and the Public Service employment as salary on appointment is determined in accordance with the promotion or transfer.
Release Interviews
During the release administrative process, you will have at least 2 interviews with a release administrator, the initial & final release interview, where you will have the chance to ask all your questions and discuss any concerns you may have.
During the initial interview, your release administrator will explain the release administrative process and confirm your entitlements, benefits, and personal information. Remember to include the application for benefits and/or services in your transition plan.
Should there be any discrepancies or need for additional information requiring immediate attention, a progress interview will be scheduled, most likely via email, MS Teams or over the phone.
During your final interview, usually scheduled on your date of release or start of retirement leave, you will finalize your release documents. A paper copy of each document as well as the release members package will be provided to you for record keeping. Also, during your final release appointment, you will be returning your Military ID (NDI 20), in exchange, you will receive your new Veteran Service Card (NDI 75).
Departure With Dignity (DWD)
The intent of the DWD program is to formalize the process and to ensure that all CAF members are given the appropriate recognition upon completion of their military service. The DWD program applies to all members who have completed Basic Military Qualification or Basic Military Officer Qualification and who will be honourably released form the CAF. CAF members are entitled only to one ceremony under the DWD program, on completion of their total service.
Your release administrator will order your certificate of service/pin and coordinate with your unit DWD coordinator to receive the certificate. Your DWD coordinator is responsible to order any other environmental certificates, send requests for congratulatory retirements letters and Canadian Flag if entitled.
Depart with Dignity Program (Accessible only on the National Defence network)
Place of release
As per QR&O 15.04 Place of Release, an officer or NCM shall be released in Canada. However, a member who is serving outside of Canada at the time that the release is approved, may request to be released at the place they are serving if prior approval is obtain by the VCDS.
Transitioning from OUTCAN or an Isolated Post could be more challenging and requires additional planification and preparation. The request can take several months to be approved. The key is to plan your release date in advance to allow enough time to complete your release administration as well as your move. If the release is approved, they may be entitled to be re-located to Canada at public expense.
The move to the place of release may be authorized up to a maximum of 30 calendar days prior to the release date or the Retirement Leave in order to give the member enough time to complete the release procedures in Canada. In exceptional circumstances, the appropriate Release Authority may extend by 15 days, prior to the release date.
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