DAOD 5002-12, Military Occupation Transfer

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Overview and Plan Framework
4. Eligibility
5. Selection
6. Career Administration
7. Compliance and Consequences
8. Responsibilities
9. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2026-06-26

Application: This DAOD is an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members (NCM) in the Regular Force (Reg F), Primary Reserve (P Res) and Supplementary Reserve (Supp Res) of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

Supersession:

• CFAO 10-1, Officer Transfer – Military Occupation Regular Force
• CFAO 11-5, Occupation Assignment and Reassignment of Non-Commissioned Members
• CFAO 11-12, Occupation Transfer of Non-Commissioned Members
• CFAO 49-10, Terms of Service-Officers-Primary Reserve, Annex B paragraphs 6, 7, 10, 11 and Appendix 1 Annex B, paragraphs 5 and 6
• CFAO 49-11, Terms of Service Non-Commissioned Members Primary Reserve, Annex C
• CANFORGEN 170/22, Military Occupation Transfer of Trained Officers to a Non-Commissioned Member Occupation Regular Force
• Basic Training List Administrative Guide (BTAG) paragraphs 216-219

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: CMP Administrative Response Centre (ARC)

2. Definitions

military occupation transfer; MOT (transfert de groupe professionnel militaire; TGPM)

The transfer of a CAF member from their current military occupation to another military occupation.

Note 1 – A military occupation transfer normally occurs within the same component.

Note 2 – Military occupation transfers apply to both officers and non-commissioned members. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 20181)

occupational functional point; OFP (niveau professionnel de compétence; NPC)

The point at which a military member completes all developmental period one (DP1) individual training and education, which permits first employment in an assigned military occupation.

Note – At OFP, a member is posted off the basic training list or subsidized university training list into a trained effective establishment position and counted as trained effective strength. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 41430)

trained (formé; formée)

In the military personnel management system, referring to a member who has reached the occupational functional point for their current military occupation. (Defence Terminology Bank record number to be assigned)

untrained (non-formé; non-formée)

In the military personnel management system, referring to a member who has not reached the occupational functional point for their current military occupation. (Defence Terminology Bank record number to be assigned)

3. Overview and Policy Framework

Context

3.1 A Military Occupation Transfer (MOT) provides the CAF with the flexibility to continue to employ or retain a CAF member in a military occupation suitable to their knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics (KSAOs). An MOT:

1. enables the CAF to manage resources to meet force employment requirements;
2. provides organizational flexibility with respect to the assignment of a CAF member to a military occupation;
3. enhances the professional growth of a CAF member;
4. supports continuous learning; and
5. may contribute to the career progression of a CAF member.

Note – There are two main categories of MOT: Voluntary Military Occupation Transfer (VMOT), and Compulsory Military Occupation Transfer (CMOT). A VMOT is initiated by request from the CAF member. A CMOT is initiated by the CAF to transfer a CAF member for a variety of reasons. See Personnel Generation Requirement Instructions (PGRI) 4-12, Military Occupation Transfer for detailed information on the different categories of MOTs.

Purpose

3.2 The MOT policy provides the CAF member and the CAF with an opportunity to transfer CAF members to new occupations that provide the member with a military occupation suitable to their KSAOs. The MOT applies to serving NCMs and officers of the Reg F, P Res, and Supp Res who meet the requirements for an MOT.

Production Planning

3.3 The Reg F military occupations open to MOT are subject to production requirements, which are determined by the Annual Military Occupation Review (AMOR) process set out in the Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction (CAFMPI) 01/08, Annual Military Occupation Review. The MOT intake requirements are determined by the occupation authorities (OAs) and conveyed in the annual Strategic Intake Plan (SIP).

3.4 For the P Res occupations open to MOT, a vacant and permanent establishment position must exist for the military occupation at the gaining unit.

4. Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria

4.1 Eligibility criteria are laid out in PGRI 4-12.

4.2 Eligibility for an MOT is generally the same for the Reg F, P Res and Supp Res but the selection processes differ.

5. Selection

General

5.1 CAF members must be assessed and selected for an MOT in accordance with DAOD 5002-5, Canadian Forces Personnel Selection.

Chain of Command Obligations

5.2 The chain of command (CoC) has an obligation to make themselves knowledgeable on MOT policies and procedures and must:

1. in accordance with promulgated application closing dates, forward to the Personnel Selection Officer (PSO) as soon as practicable, all MOT applications; and
2. continue to meaningfully employ the CAF member while the application is being processed.

Note 1 – The CoC shall direct the CAF member to the PSO for career counselling, if required.

Note 2 – If the CoC does not support the CAF member application for MOT, they must include the reasons for the non-support in the commanding officer's (CO) recommendation and still must send the completed file to the PSO.

Military Occupation Transfer Authorities

5.3 The following table lists the authorities who may authorize or compel an MOT within the same component or sub-component:

6. Career Administration

Promotion and Rank Changes

6.1 An MOT will affect the promotion eligibility of a CAF member and may require relinquishment of rank depending on the circumstances surrounding the occupation transfer in accordance with CAF policy on Promotion and Other Rank Changes.

Pay

6.2 Pay will be in accordance with Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) chapter 204, Pay of Officers and Non-Commissioned Members.

7. Compliance and Consequences

Compliance

7.1 CAF members must comply with this DAOD. Should clarification of the policies or instructions set out in this DAOD be required, CAF members may seek direction through their chain of command. Military supervisors have the primary responsibility for and means of ensuring the compliance of their CAF members with this DAOD.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

7.2 CAF members are accountable to their military supervisors for any failure to comply with the direction set out in this DAOD. Non-compliance with this DAOD may result in administrative or disciplinary action, or both, for a CAF member. Non-compliance may also result in the imposition of liability on the part of His Majesty in right of Canada and CAF members.

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8. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

8.1 The following table identifies the responsibilities associated with this DAOD:

9. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• QR&O article 11.10, Reversion and Remustering for Inefficiency
• QR&O article 11.12, Relinquishment of Rank
• QR&O article 11.13, Compulsory Remustering of Non-Commissioned Members
• QR&O article 15.01, Release of Officers and Non-Commissioned Members
• CBI Chapter 204, Pay of Officers and Non-Commissioned Members
• DAOD 5002-0, Military Personnel Requirements and Production

Other References

• DAOD 2020-4, Supplementary Reserve
• DAOD 5002-1, Enrolment
• DAOD 5002-3, Component and Sub-Component Transfer
• DAOD 5002-5, Canadian Forces Personnel Selection
• DAOD 5002-7, Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan – Regular Force
• DAOD 5019-2, Administrative Review
• DAOD 5019-4, Remedial Measures
• DAOD 5023-1, Minimum Operational Standards Related to Universality of Service
• DAOD 5023-2, Common Military Task Fitness Evaluation
• DAOD 5031-8, Canadian Armed Forces Professional Development
• DAOD 5049-1, Obligatory Service
• DAOD 5511-0, Promotion and Other Rank Changes
• A-AH-265-000/AG-001, Canadian Forces Dress Instructions
• A-MD-154-000/FP-000, Canadian Armed Forces Medical Standards
• A-PM-245-001/FP-001, Military Human Resources Records Procedures
• A-PD-055-001/AG-001, Military Employment Structures (MES) and Specifications (available in paper copy only)
• A-PD-055-002/PP-001, Canadian Forces Manual of Military Occupational Structure – Occupational Specification (available in paper copy only)
• CAFMPI 05/05, Terms of Service
• CAFMPI 01/08, Annual Military Occupation Review
• CAFMPI 03/08, Canadian Armed Forces Component Transfer and Component Transfer Career Programs
• CAFMPI 02/15, Supplementary Reserve
• CAFMPI 01/26 Promotion and other rank changes
• PGRI 4-12, Military Occupation Transfer
• DPGR, intranet site

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