Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instructions 02/26 – Management of honorary appointments and honorary rank

1. Identification

Date of issue: 2026-06-26

Application: This instruction applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Supersession:

• CFAO 3-4, Honorary Appointments and Honorary Ranks
• CANFORGEN 124/02, Supplementary Reserve Restructure Honorary Appointments
• CANFORGEN 140/06, Relation of Honorary Appointments to the Chain of Command for Operational Issues
• DSA Honorary Appointments in the Canadian Armed Forces Handbook

Approval authority: Chief Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Administrative Review Centre (ARC)

2. Abbreviations

3. Policy direction

Context

3.1 The purpose of this instruction is to amplify the policy and describe the process of DAOD 5512-0, Management of Honorary Appointments and Honorary Rank. 

Policy statement

3.2 This instruction will facilitate the approval processes of honorary appointments and honorary rank by centralizing policy stewardship and providing common procedures in order to standardize management functions across the CAF. 

4. Operating principles

General

4.1 The vast majority of honorary appointees or those granted an honorary rank are not currently serving members of the CAF nor DND employees. That is why the policy’s focus is on the management by the responsible officer and their staff at the unit, element, combination of elements or an organization of officers and non-commissioned members (referred to hereafter as ‘unit’) affiliated with the honorary appointment or honorary rank.

4.2 There is, however, an expectation that the conduct of a person receiving an honorary appointment or granted an honorary rank will be consistent with DND and CAF standards. The onus to ensure that policy and procedures are followed therefore falls upon the responsible officer at the unit affiliated with the respective appointment. 

5. Process

5.1 To begin, the process entails the collection and presentation of biographical data and associated information in sufficient detail to, when combined with support from the chain of command, allow the approving authority to make an informed decision on a request for an honorary appointment or honorary rank.

5.2 Once a decision is rendered on an honorary appointment or honorary rank request, the process shifts to ensure post approval administrative support until the end of the authorized term of the honorary appointment or honorary rank, as established by the approving authority.

6. Reporting and tracking

Record of appointment

6.1 DSA will maintain a list of all honorary appointments and honorary rank noting the duration of the tenure of the appointees, with the exception of honorary ADCs to a Lt-Gov which will be maintained by regional commanders as indicated in Annex B of this instruction. 

6.2 To ensure the list remains current, responsible officers at the unit affiliated with the honorary appointment or honorary rank are to inform their chain of command and DSA as soon as possible when made aware of any changes to an honorary appointment or honorary rank.

7. Responsibilities

Responsibility table

7.1 While the different processes are described in the annexes and may involve higher level entities, the following table identifies the responsibilities up to the L1 associated with this instruction:

8. References

Acts, regulations, central agency policies and associated DAODs

• QR&O 3.06, Honorary Appointments
• QR&O 3.07, Honorary Rank
• QR&O 17.06, Wearing of uniform - Restriction
• QR&O 34.05, Charges for Medical Care
• QR&O 34.30, Provision of Medical Care to Civilians
• DAOD 2016-0, Approval to Travel on Canadian Forces Aircraft
• DAOD 5512-0, The Management of Honorary Appointments and Honorary Rank

Other references

• Delegated Authority to Approve Extension Requests for Honorary Appointments (can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• A-AD-200-000/AG-000, The Heritage Structure of the Canadian Armed Forces
• A-AD-265-000/AG-001, Canadian Forces Dress Instructions
• A-DH-300-000/AG-001, Canadian Forces Honours Policy Manual
• A-DH-300-000/JD-004, Meritorious Service Decorations Regulations
• A-LM-007-100/AG-001, Supply Administration Manual
• National Defence Security Orders and Directives (can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• Canadian Armed Forces Diversity Strategy (can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• Canadian Armed Forces Employment Equity Plan 2021-2026 (can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• Canadian Forces Temporary Duty Travel Instruction
• Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Code of Values and Ethics
• AFO 5002-0, Appointment of Honorary Colonels (can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• CAO 11-09, Canadian Army Honorary Appointments (can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• NAVORD 1625-3, Honorary Captain Program (can only be accessed on the DWAN)

9. Annexes

• Annex A: Honorary Appointments Deriving from QR&O Authority
• Annex B: Honorary Appointments Deriving from Regal and Vice-Regal Prerogative
• Annex C: Honorary Rank