Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group Process (Reservists)

Reserve Transition Support (RTS) is a policy administered by the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG)provide a period of Class "B" Reserve Service of up to three years to you as an eligible member of the Reserve Force, who:

• is ill or injured during full-time Reserve Service greater than six months; and
• has medical circumstances and an anticipated recovery that restrict your full-time employment for a minimum of six months. 

With this support, the CAF intends to facilitate your return to duty or transition from military to civilian life with programs and services such as medical treatment, rehabilitation and service benefits for ill and injured members. Your parent unit Commanding Officer (CO) must initiate your RTS request.

For more information and resources visit the Ombudsman’s education product on Reserve Transition Support.

Temporary Assignment or Transfer to CAF TG

You may be temporarily assigned or transferred to CAF TG if you have medical employment limitations (MELs) and either:

• an assigned temporary medical category or
• a permanent medical category that precludes the performance of your duties in your current occupation or unit.

This can happen when you are:

• on Class C Reserve service extension
• in receipt of Reserve Force Compensation (RFC), or
• participating in an approved Vocational Rehabilitation Program for Serving Members (VRPSM).

If you are on Class “B” reserve service, you may also be considered for temporary assignment. This applies only if your employing unit continues to pay your salary while you are temporarily assigned to CAF TG.

Process

1. Your Commanding Officer (CO) begins the process by completing the form DND 4452 -Temporary Assign / Transfer to CAF TG – Reserve Force Members
2. Your CO submits the form to your Base/Wing Surgeon and CAF Transition Unit (CAF TU).
3. Your Base/Wing Surgeon and CAF TU review the request
4. CAF TG HQ makes the final decision.

Returning to Parent or Employing Unit

You remain assigned to CAF TG until you:

• can resume active participation in the Reserve Force,
• are able to return to or seek civilian employment,
• are able to resume full time attendance at an educational institution,
• are no longer incapacitated as determined by a medical authority,
• are released, or
• are no longer on Class “C” reserve service extension or in receipt of RFC.

When you can resume normal activity, you will return to your home unit. If you were on Class “B” or Class “C” reserve service before being temporarily assigned or transferred to the CAF TG, and there are no Class “A” positions available within your home unit you will be added to the Primary Reserve List (PRL). This will enable you to search for Class “B” reserve service opportunities or join a Res F unit on Class “A” reserve service.

Grieving a decision

If you are unsatisfied with the decision surrounding your temporary assignment or transfer to the CAF TG, and if you believe your application was not processed fairly, you may file a grievance. Consult with a Conflict and Complaint Management Services (CCMS) Centre agent for support, information or guidance about the grievance process.

For general CAF grievance inquiries, including the grievance submission process, members can contact their local Conflict and Complaint Manage Service office or email ICCMInquiries.DemandesrequeteGICPDGGP@forces.gc.ca.

How We Can Help

If there are exceptional reasons that prevent you from addressing your concerns through regular channels such as time sensitivity, health, security, or financial concerns for you or your family, you can contact our office by telephone or in writing. We can assist when there are compelling circumstances to ensure all relevant parties know about your circumstances (with your permission), and that the proper process is being followed to assist the appropriate authority in taking an informed decision.

Related links

• Military career transition
• CANFORGEN 166/22 - Posting Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members to the CAF Transition Group (CAF TG) (This CANFORGEN is available only on the Defence Team Intranet or via the CAF Mobile App.)
• CAF Transition Centres
• Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instructions 06/25 – Reserve Transition Support (RTS) Policy for Reserve Force (Res F) Members who are ill or Injured - Canada.ca
• Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instructions 05/25 – Attached posting of Reserve Force members to the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group - Canada.ca
• Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instructions 03/25 – Canadian Armed Forces Transition to Post-Military Life - Canada.ca