Posting status and move at public expenses for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members attending Basic Occupational Training

Topic

Posting status and move at public expenses for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members attending Basic Occupational Training

Case number

• 2017-020 (F&R date: 2017-04-25)

Issue

New CAF members undergoing basic occupational training for extended periods of time were being denied moves at public expenses on the basis that they were not trade qualified. The CAF explained that in order for these members to be eligible for a paid move under Compensation and Benefits Instruction (CBI) 208.82, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) had to consider their move to be in the public interest. Prior to 2016, some training units had issued policy direction stating that members whose basic occupational training was greater than a year, could be authorized to move their dependants, household goods and effects ((D) HG&E) to the training location. However, in 2016, staff within the Chief of Military Personnel (CMP) organization directed an end to this practice, as it was felt that since these members were not trade qualified, authorization to move at public expense was not in the public interest. The Committee found the CMP staff interpretation of “public interest” very restrictive as it failed to take into consideration the interests of the members who were separated from their family or had to maintain two residences for more than one year. Further, it appears that not all commands are applying this restrictive interpretation as some training establishments outside of CMP have developed their own practices/policies in this regard.

Recommendation

The Committee recommended that the Commander Military Personnel Generation conduct a review of the policy of posting CAF members while undergoing basic occupational training and issue clear direction and authority outlining the circumstances when personnel attending training for a considerable period of time (i.e. one year or more) may be eligible to relocate their (D) HG&E.

Final Authority Decision

The CDS agreed with the Committee's systemic recommendation that a review of the policy of posting CAF members while undergoing basic occupational training for more than a year be conducted. The CDS added that, unless otherwise directed by the Treasury Board, new direction be given by the use of CBI, with interpretations that support the welfare of military families.