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Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction 05/24 – CAF Probationary Period

Table of Contents

  1. Identification
  2. Abbreviations
  3. Policy Direction
  4. Probationary Period Process
  5. Reporting and Tracking
  6. Responsibilities
  7. References
  8. Annex

   

Chef of Military Personnel Crest

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2024-12-31

Effective Date: 2024-12-31

Application: This instruction applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members) in the Regular Force (Reg F) and the Primary Reserve (P Res).

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Administrative Response Centre (ARC)

2. Abbreviations

Abbreviation Complete Word or Phrase
AR Administrative Review
AR/MEL Administrative Review/Medical Employment Limitation
BMQ Basic Military Qualification
BMOQ Basic Military Officer Qualification
CDA Canadian Defence Academy
CDS Chief of Defence Staff
CFHS Canadian Forces Health Services
CFRG Canadian Forces Recruiting Group
CO Commanding Officer
COT Compulsory Occupational Transfer
CSD Code of Service Discipline
DGDS Director General Defence Security
DMCA Director Military Career Administration
DP Developmental Period
DPGR Director Personnel Generation Requirements
DTA Designated Training Authorities
IT&E Individual Training and Education
LD Learning disability
MEL Medical Employment Limitation
MES Military Employment Structure
MOSID Military Occupational Structure Identification
NDSOD National Defence Security Orders and Directives
OFP Occupational Functional Point
OTE Other Training Establishment
PRB Progress Review Board
PSO Personnel Selection Officer
SIP Strategic Intake Plan
SOU Statement of Understanding
TA Training Authorities
TE Training Establishment
TOR Terms of Reference
TOS Terms of Service
VOT-U Voluntary Occupation Transfer - Untrained
VR Voluntary Release

3. Policy Direction

Context

3.1 The CAF is experiencing challenges recruiting the required personnel to achieve its strategic intake plan (SIP) resulting in shortages of personnel across many occupations. This is affecting the CAF’s ability to force generate and meet operational commitments. Modifications to the CAF enrolment process are required to facilitate an increase in the number of enrolments.

3.2 Under the current legal framework, the CAF will leverage policy to establish a probationary period for new CAF members so as to include both pre- and post-enrolment considerations, processes and policies. Some requirements that had to be completed prior to enrolment are being deferred to post-enrolment. 

3.3 For the purposes of this policy, new CAF members are members of the Reg F and P Res who are subject to the probationary requirements outlined in this policy.

Policy Statement

3.4 The purpose of this policy is to establish fair, reasonable, and expedited enrolment and release processes forming the framework of a probationary period for new CAF members, from enrolment until they have fulfilled this period’s requirements. This policy provides the details and procedures for the processing of applicants and the management of new members until they have fulfilled the probationary period requirements across the suitability, medical and security domains.

Probationary Period Requirements

3.5 All new CAF members will be expected to fulfill the probationary period requirements before reaching their OFP. OFP is when a CAF member completes all DP1 IT&E and are able to assume their first employment in an assigned military occupation. The three specific eligibility domains that the new members are required to meet are described below:

  1. Suitability – the minimum standard for enrolment as detailed in DAOD 5002-1, Enrolment.
  2. Medical – the minimum Medical Standards, as detailed in A-MD-154-000/FP-000, Canadian Armed Forces Medical Standards, for the targeted occupations.
  3. Security – the security screening requirements and process, as detailed in NDSOD Chapter 4, Standard 4B - Individual Security Screening Program.

3.6 Applicants will be enrolled at the rank and into the MOSID in accordance with DAOD 5002-1. 

3.7 Enrolment authorities will offer the initial TOS most appropriate for the applicants' component, entry plan and occupation as per CAFMPI 05/05, Terms of Service.

3.8 New CAF members must also meet the minimum operational standards related to Universality of Service in accordance with the DAOD 5023 series on Universality of Service.

4. Probationary Period Process

General

4.1 The CAF screens for eligibility and suitability during its recruitment process. To determine if an applicant is qualified for CAF service according to DAOD 5002-1, there are specific processes both pre- and post-enrolment. Under the probationary period, to be eligible for continued service post-enrolment, members must be able to meet the medical and security clearance requirements of their respective MOSIDs. Members must also demonstrate strict adherence to all applicable orders and policies governing acceptable professional conduct in the CAF. This policy will provide the procedures to be implemented to expedite enrolment processes as per DAOD 5002-1 and the expedited release process to be followed should a member not be able to fulfill the requirements of this policy.

Pre-Enrolment

4.2 The following table identifies the expedited enrolment processes:

Item Process
Application
  • Applicants will submit an online application and DND 2170, Canadian Forces Employment Application.
Military Occupation Selection
  • Applicants must meet the entry standards for the targeted military occupations as maintained by DPGR;
  • When applicable, applicants are required to complete the psychometric selection tests or evaluations and to meet the applicable cut-off score(s) for their target occupation(s) before enrolment;
  • All applicants to undergo a suitability assessment interview; and
  • As required, applicants undergo language testing and any additional occupation specific selection assessments (e.g., military police, air crew, etc.).
Medical Fitness
Security
  • Applicants without high-risk foreign implications will be screened for reliability status. Screening beyond reliability status for those without high-risk foreign implications will be deferred to post-enrolment;
  • Applicants with high-risk foreign implications may require additional screening prior to enrolment; and
  • The recruitment officer will inform applicants of the security screening requirements associated with their occupation so that if enrolled, they can be prepared to meet the requirements upon arrival at Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School or their designated TE/OTE/unit. 
Enrolment Offers

Post-Enrolment

4.3 New CAF members will be required to attend BMQ/BMOQ training and their respective environment specific and military occupation training. All TEs/OTEs and units have embedded CAF Ethos: Trusted to Serve and Fighting Spirit: The Profession of Arms in Canada into all DP1 training and evaluate performance and conduct during new CAF members’ path to OFP. During this period, new CAF members will be required to meet established standards of conduct and performance of the CAF, their environment, and their occupation. 

4.4 To the extent applicable and practical, the CAF is to provide education, counselling, accommodation and treatment as appropriate to assist new CAF members to abstain from engaging in misconduct and to correct or subsequently overcome conduct or performance deficiencies. The duty to accommodate the needs of new CAF members with a learning disability is a legal obligation set out in DAOD 5516-5, Learning Disability Accommodation during Recruiting, Training and Education. This duty extends only up to the point of undue hardship, considering factors relating to health, safety and cost. Furthermore, this duty is also subject to the requirement that all new CAF members must meet the minimum operational standards related to the principle of universality of service, as detailed under DAOD 5023-1, Minimum Operational Standards Related to Universality of Service. 

4.5 A PRB is an AR of a new CAF member’s suitability for continued training and education. The CAF IT&E Instruction 5001-1, Progress Review Board, provides the guidance on the conduct of PRBs for TEs, OTEs or CAF units conducting IT&E programs. COs responsible for employing members who have not yet reached OFP, must also apply this instruction to assess a member’s suitability for continued service in the CAF. A PRB must be a transparent, impartial and unbiased decision-making process. Members subject to a PRB must be assigned an assisting member to guide them through the process and assist them in their preparation. At a minimum, a PRB will offer the following to the new CAF member: 

  1. the TOR of the PRB;
  2. impartiality of all board members;
  3. disclosure of all documents and evidence to be used during the PRB;
  4. an appropriate period to make representation, unless the member waives their right in writing;
  5. an assisting member;
  6. conduct of the PRB in the official language of their choice;
  7. findings of the PRB in writing; and
  8. information on the right to grieve.

4.6 New CAF members must also be able to meet the specific medical standard and security clearance requirement for their MOSID.

4.7 Should a new CAF member cease training, request a VOT-U, or want to request a voluntary release from the CAF prior to completion of training, the member may be referred to a PSO or transition centre for career counselling for a potential transfer, if eligible, or for the release process to be started.

Expedited Release

4.8 Release, if applicable, must meet the criteria set out in QR&O Chapter 15, Release. Determinations for release must be done in a fair and reasonable manner. These determinations are to be done on a case-by-case basis that considers the facts, and any representations made by the chain of command and by the individual member. The assignment of a release item must be reasonable and must occur after the reason for release has been determined. As reflected in CFAO 15-2, Release – Regular Force, release items are for CAF administrative purposes and they should not be applied to achieve a desired result, such as a form of punishment, a means of depriving a member of rehabilitation benefits, a means of attaching a stigma to a member's release, or a means of attempting to increase a member's terminal benefits. The policies indicating which item of release applies to P Res members are the same as those for the Reg F and can be found in Annex A to CFAO 15-2.

4.9 Should a new CAF member be unable to meet the eligibility criteria of suitability, medical, or security, the processes listed below will be followed.

Note – the instruction in CANFORGEN 257/10, Expedited Release Processing of Reg F Members on the Basic Training List, remains extant and must be followed when applicable.

Criteria Process
Suitability - Performance
  • Extant policy applies.
  • Should a new CAF member fail to meet established standards of performance; they will be subject to a PRB for performance.
  • They may be referred to a PSO to conduct a selection assessment and they may be offered a COT.
  • If the new CAF member is found not compatible to serve in an available occupation or does not accept a compatible and available occupation, they may be released.
  • The release authorities for members who fail to meet established standards of performance are outlined in the CDS Designated Release Authorities tables.
Suitability - Conduct
  • Should a new CAF member fail to meet established standards of conduct; they will be subject to a PRB for conduct.
  • The release authorities for members who fail to meet established standards of conduct are outlined in the CDS Designated Release Authorities tables.
  • CO/Comd CDA consult DMCA, when required, for guidance and assistance prior to initiating actions associated with a conduct-related release.
Medical Standard
  • New CAF members who are unable to complete BMQ/BMOQ for medical reasons may be subject to release.
  • New CAF members who are unable to complete their environmental, or occupation training due to MEL may be eligible for a COT or will be subject to release.
  • The release authorities for members based on MELs are outlined in the CDS Designated Release Authorities tables.
  • Members, who are found to have medical limitations which predated enrolment, and which would have precluded enrolment if they had been disclosed or detected, will be processed for release under the Irregular Enrolment item.
Security
  • New CAF members who require secret or higher-level security clearance and are unable to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance level due to a lack of verifiable data, a lack of cooperation, or adverse information uncovered during the security screening process, will be subject to release. 
  • The CO of new members who are unable to obtain and maintain the security level necessary for the performance of their occupation will either:
    • Release the member due to not having the security clearance required; or
    • In exceptional cases, refer the member to a PSO to conduct a selection assessment for an occupation not requiring a security clearance (i.e. requiring Reliability Status only). (See note).
  • The release authorities for members who fail to meet established standards of performance, due to their inability to obtain or maintain the required security clearance, are outlined in the CDS Designated Release Authorities tables. 
Note – DGDS must be consulted to obtain the reason for the inability to grant a clearance prior to any referral to PSO for selection assessment.

Completion of the Probationary Period

4.10 The completion of the probationary period is marked by specific conditions under each domain listed in the table below. All of the following conditions must be met:

Domain Condition to mark completion of probationary status
Suitability
  • Meeting the established standards of conduct and performance throughout the completion of BMQ/BMOQ, environmental, and DP1 training.
Medical
  • The completion of BMQ/BMOQ and meet the minimum Medical Standards for their MOSID.
Security
  • Obtaining and maintaining the security clearance level required for their MOSID.

4.11 A member may request a voluntary release at any point during the probationary period.

5. Reporting and Tracking

General

5.1 TAs/DTAs will ensure all IT&E programs are managed within the CAF IT&E enterprise application and have at least one unique six-digit course identification assigned to one four-letter MES national qualification as detailed in DAOD 5031-2, Individual Training and Education System Strategic Framework. For tracking of IT&E outcomes during the probationary period, TAs/DTAs are to ensure that applicable cease training reasons are entered into CAF IT&E systems of record for sessions and individuals, including performance, conduct, security clearance/status, and medical.

5.2 DMCA will maintain a database using an internal mechanism to record all members on a probationary period released for conduct and irregular enrolments.

5.3 DGDS will maintain a database using an internal mechanism to record all probationary members who are not able to be granted a security clearance/status and capture the reasons why.

6. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

6.1 The following table identifies the responsibilities associated with the instruction:

The... is or are responsible for...
CFRG (or the designated enrolment authority)
  • managing all activities for selection and enrolment;
  • implementing the expedited recruiting process where applicable for occupation eligibility and suitability, medical, and/or security; 
  • ensuring only applicants who are willing to sign the Statement of Understanding for the probationary period are enrolled in the CAF; and
  • identifying and capturing, in a central repository, applicants who are processed under the expedited enrolment policy to enable the compilation of performance metrics by stakeholders responsible for the effective monitoring and evaluation of this policy.
CFHS
  • supporting enrolment authorities through conducting the medical screening of applicants;
  • assigning medical employment limitations as appropriate to the individual applicant;
  • providing guidance with respect to health service screening processes; and
  • supporting the designated release authority by assigning MELs as appropriate to member.
TEs, OTEs or CAF Units Conducting DP1 IT&E Programs
  • providing education, counselling, accommodation and treatment as appropriate to assist new CAF members to abstain from engaging in misconduct, and to correct or subsequently overcome conduct or performance deficiencies;
  • supporting new CAF members in completing the security clearance requirements for their respective occupation;
  • seeking DMCA advice, when required, on addressing conduct deficiencies and notifying DMCA of conduct related release decisions for new CAF members on probationary period;
  • seeking DMCA advice, when required, on addressing medical employment limitations that prevent the member from completing training; 
  • ensuring PRB process follows CAF and TA/DTA policies; and
  • synchronizing BMQ/BMOQ, environmental and occupational training to maximize production.
DGDS
DPGR
  • maintaining entry standards for all CAF occupations; and
  • in cooperation with DGMPRA, monitoring and evaluating impact of psychometric test deferral/override and offer recommended amendments.
DMCA
  • providing advice to COs, TAs and DTAs related to conduct deficiencies; 
  • maintaining an aide-mémoire for administrative actions for conduct deficiencies; 
  • monitoring and maintaining a database using an internal mechanism to record all probationary members released for conduct and irregular enrolments; and
  • providing advice to COs, TAs and DTAs related to medical employment limitations that prevent the member from completing training.
TAs / DTAs
  • developing and maintaining policy/standard operating procedures for PRBs to address members who do not meet established standards of conduct and performance;
  • ensuring all IT&E programs are managed within the CAF IT&E enterprise application and have at least one unique six-digit course identification assigned to one four-letter MES national qualification as detailed in DAOD 5031-2;
  • ensuring that applicable cease training reasons are entered into CAF IT&E systems of record for sessions and individuals, including performance, conduct, security clearance, and medical; and
  • maintaining CAF Ethos content in all DP1 courses/training and assess conduct and character.
COs responsible for members who have not reached OFP
  • providing education, counselling, accommodation and treatment as appropriate to assist new CAF members to refrain from, correct or subsequently overcome conduct or performance deficiencies;
  • seeking DMCA advice, when required, on addressing conduct deficiencies and notify DMCA of conduct related release decisions for new CAF members on probationary period;
  • ensuring PRB process follows CAF and TA/DTA policies;
  • seeking DMCA advice, when required, on addressing medical employment limitations that prevent the member from completing training;
  • managing administration for new members to ensure that they meet the occupational eligibility and suitability, medical, and security eligibility requirements prior to reaching OFP;
  • strictly monitoring and actively preventing new CAF members access to sensitive equipment and information while security clearance processing is underway; and
  • monitoring and enforcing steps that permanent resident members are taking to attain citizenship when eligible in accordance with DAOD 5002-1, Enrolment.

7. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Associated DAOD

Other References

8. Annex

  1. Annex A – Statement of Understanding Probationary Period

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