23-14 – Appointment as Commanding Officer of a Cadet Corps or Squadron
Cadet Administrative and Training Orders (CATOs)
Purpose
1. This order amplifies Canadian Forces Administrative Order (CFAO) 49-6 in regards to appointments of Commanding Officers (COs) of corps and squadrons. It should be read in conjunction with CATO 21-03, Cadet Corps/Squadron Establishments, and Chief Military Personnel (CMP) Instruction 20/04 in regards to the administration of class “A”, class “B” and class “C” Reserve service. This CATO is effective on receipt.
General
2. The provisions of article 5.2.1.4 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DND, The Navy League of Canada, The Army Cadet League of Canada and the Air Cadet League of Canada shall be considered when recommending an officer to command a corps/ squadron.
Command
3. In accordance with QR&O 3.20, the senior officer present shall exercise command. In accordance with QR (Cadets), the RCSU Commanding Officer shall designate an officer of the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) as CO of a corps or squadron.
4. The appointment of CO should be held by the senior ranking member of the CIC on strength at the corps/squadron. He/She shall hold a rank higher than, or at least equal to, that of his/her subordinates. The appointment as CO is normally for a period of three years and any extension shall be in accordance with CFAO 49-6 Annex C.
5. In the event that the senior ranking member of the CIC on strength refuses to assume command, then he/she should be transferred to the Supplementary Reserve or released. If the senior ranking officer is unable to assume the appointment of CO and his/her release would jeopardize the viability of the corps/squadron, the RCSU CO may authorize his/her retention.
6. In those cases described in the previous paragraph, the officer next in line may be considered for promotion to an acting rank in accordance with paragraph 3 of Annex B to CFAO 49-6. The promotion shall be for one rank higher than the member’s substantive rank. Should another officer still outrank the designated CO even after the latter was promoted to a higher acting rank, the higher ranking officer shall either:
- transfer to the Supplementary Reserve;
- transfer to another corps/squadron provided a vacancy in his/her rank level exits;
- transfer to a Regional holding establishment where he/she may provide support to the corps/squadron without pay in accordance with CATO 23-11 should he/she wish to do so;
- be granted voluntary release; or
- if he/she wishes to continue serving with his/her cadet corps/squadron in a paid position, voluntarily relinquish his/her substantive rank to the equivalent rank held by the designated CO.
Officer Cadet / Naval Cadet As Commanding Officer
7. When there is no commissioned officer on strength of a cadet corps/squadron, an Officer Cadet (OCdt) / Naval Cadet (NCdt) may be appointed as CO of a cadet corps or squadron with National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ), Director General Reserves and Cadets (DGRC) approval. The OCdt/NCdt shall be advised that he/she will be required to relinquish the position of CO should a commissioned officer join the corps or squadron prior to his / her being commissioned.
8. An OCdt/NCdt cannot be promoted to an acting rank.
9. To have an OCdt/NCdt appointed CO of a corps/squadron, a written request shall be submitted by the RCSU CO to D Cdts & JCR and shall include the following:
- member’s service number;
- member’s name and initials;
- Unit Identification Code (UIC) and name of the corps/squadron;
- number of officers and civilian instructors on strength;
- registered cadet strength;
- corps or squadron quota; and
- confirmation that the member has completed the Basic Officer Qualification (BOQ) course.
10. If supported, the request will be submitted to NDHQ/DGRC for approval. D Cdts & JCR will send a non-support or approval message on receipt of the DGRC’s decision.
OPI: D Cdts 6
Date: Aug 12
Amendment: Ch 7/12
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