# 2017-053 - Army Operations Course Grading System, Course Report

Case Summary

F&R Date: 2017–08–15

The grievor contended that his grades on the Army Operations Course (AOC) Tutorial 3 and end-of-course reports were not fair and did not constitute an accurate reflection of his performance.

The Commander of the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre, acting as the Initial Authority (IA), denied the grievance. The IA determined that the grades were indicative of the grievor's performance and that they were arrived at by a fair, reasonable and considered reflection. While the IA acknowledged that sufficient records were not kept in accordance with Canadian Army Order 24-08, he trusted the Canadian Army Command and Staff College instructor's ability to assess candidates fairly.

Defence Administrative Orders and Directives 5031-9 sets the approved letter grading system for the Canadian Armed Forces. It establishes that training establishments will use a three-interval letter grading composed of A, B and C. According to the AOC Qualification Standard and Training Plan, a “C” describes a performance that ranges from meeting the required standard with difficulty to frequently exceeding the required standard, while a “B” describes a superior performance which is consistently much higher than the required standard. In the grievor's case, the Committee found that, on the balance of probability, the grades of “C” awarded on the Tutorial 3 and end-of-course reports accurately reflected the feedback provided by his instructors.

The grievor also claimed that his performance during the last portion of the course was not considered in his Tutorial 3 and end-of-course reports. Based on the available file evidence, on the balance of probability, the Committee found that the instructors assessed the grievor during the last portion of the course and considered his performance during the exercise to be consistent with his performance on the course up until then. Consequently, the Committee concluded that the Tutorial 3 and end-of-course reports should remain as is.

FA Decision Summary

The Final Authority (FA) found that the grievor was treated fairly and in accordance with applicable policies and declined to grant redress, agreeing with the majority of the Committee's findings and recommendations.

The FA agreed with the Committee that the grievor's grades were consistent with the feedback he received. Taking into consideration the evidence provided by the grievor's instructors, the FA found that the grievor's overall performance was consistent with the grades he received.

The FA acknowledged that the record-keeping by the staff did not strictly conform to the required standard and found that this warranted a review by the Commander Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre.

The FA also acknowledged the Committee's concerns that the Army Operations Course grading was not in accordance with Defence Administrative Orders and Directives 5031-9 and additionally noted concern that the standards being used for A and B grades were inappropriately demanding. Accordingly, he directed that the Qualification Standard and the Training Plan be re-examined and amended.