31-20 Return to Unit Procedures

Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Instruction (CJCR Gp Inst)

Introduction

• Date of Issue: 2026-06-05
• Date of Verification: N/A
• Application: This is an instruction that applies to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and a directive that applies to Civilian Instructors and employees of the Department of National Defence employed within the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group.
• Supersession: N/A
• Approval Authority: This order is issued under the authority of the Commander Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group.
• Office of Primary Interest: Deputy Chief of Staff Operations – Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group
• Enquiries: Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group J3

1. Abbreviations

2. Definitions

Approving Authority.

The approving authority is the authority who may approve the RTU, such as RCSU CO, CTC CO, Corps/Squadron CO, or International Activity OIC.

Return to Unit.

Used to describe the process of a CAF member, Civilian Instructor, CJCR Gp Volunteer, Staff Cadet or cadet who was sent home during a course/period of service/employment for compassionate, personal, disciplinary, or medical reasons, or for failure to achieve course training standards.

3. Purpose

• 3.1 This instruction amplifies CJCR Gp O 3020-3, Return to Unit and describes the procedures to be followed for the RTU of a CAF member, CI, CJCR Gp Volunteer, or cadet from an authorized cadet activity, including international training activities.
• 3.2 The process resulting in the decision to RTU must adhere to the principles of procedural fairness, including the following four principles:
  1. notice of the issue or issues involved;
  2. disclosure of the relevant information;
  3. an opportunity to make representations to an unbiased decision-maker; and
  4. reasons for the decision.

4. Procedures for RTU

• 4.1 The RTU of the individual will be processed using the following steps:
  1. RTU Recommendation and Decision;
  2. Initial Notification;
  3. Transportation Coordination;
  4. Final Notification;
  5. Transport of the Individual; and
  6. Follow Up.

RTU Recommendation and Decision

• 4.2 The approving authority will review the relevant circumstances, including applicable DND/CAF and federal law and CJCR Gp policy to determine if an RTU is an appropriate action.
• 4.3 Once the decision is made to return the individual to their unit, the approving authority will ensure all relevant documents are compiled or actioned, including:
  1. gather all supporting documents, correspondence, notes, etc. regarding the circumstances surrounding the RTU;
  2. initiate or update an SIR, as required, in accordance with CJCR Gp O 2008-3, Issues and Crisis Management; and
  3. complete all required documentation.

Initial Notification

• 4.4 The approving authority will ensure all appropriate personnel are informed of the decision to RTU an individual by way of an initial notification. The approving authority will ensure the following personnel are notified of the RTU:
  1. the individual affected by the RTU decision;
  2. the individual’s parent(s)/guardian(s) in the case of a cadet or staff cadet, unless the cadet or staff cadet is of the age of majority or no longer under legal guardianship;
  3. the home RCSU CO;
  4. the host RCSU CO, if applicable; and
  5. home and host RCSU ROCC.
• 4.5 A final notification will be provided to the personnel named above once transportation has been arranged.

Transportation Coordination

• 4.6 CJCR Gp O 3020-1, Transportation Procedures applies to transportation arrangements for the RTU. If applicable, the travel will be coordinated between the home and host RCSUs to ensure the individual is transported from the authorized cadet activity/training to their point of origin of travel, or another location as agreed upon by the individual and/or where the individual is under the age of majority and under legal guardianship, their parent/guardian.
• 4.7 An individual who has been returned to unit will not depart the authorized cadet activity/training until the final destination and all travel arrangements are completed, confirmed, and fully communicated.
• 4.8 A cadet or staff cadet will not depart from an authorized cadet activity until confirmation that the parent/guardian, or other adult as designated by the parent/guardian, will be available to meet the cadet at the final destination, unless the cadet or staff cadet is of the age or majority or no longer under legal guardianship.
• 4.9 For medical RTUs, as required, an escort will accompany the individual during transportation until they can be released into the care of a parent/guardian in the case of cadets, or to a responsible adult in the case of CAF members, CIs, and CJCR Gp volunteers.
• 4.10 Normally, a cadet should not be dispatched from the training centre or authorized cadet activity unless the travel to the cadet’s home can be completed the same day. When same day travel is not possible due to transportation delays, disruptions, or inability to arrange suitable transportation, the cadet will remain at the CTC or authorized activity until travel can be completed.

Final Notification

• 4.11 Once all travel arrangements have been finalized, the approving authority will ensure that required personnel/individuals notified during the Initial Notification stage are provided with a final notification setting out the individual’s travel arrangements, the final destination, and expected times of departure and arrival.

Transportation of the Individual

• 4.12 A cadet or staff cadet, unless they are of the age of majority or no longer under legal guardianship, will not be released to anyone other than one of the designated persons listed in Fortress as a parent/guardian, or an authorized designate as outlined in the form “Request for parental/guardian pickup/drop-off of cadet.”

Follow Up

• 4.13 In the case of an RTU for conduct or performance deficiencies, the home RCSU or corps/squadron will ensure the following policies are actioned:
  1. for CAF members, DAOD 5019-0, Conduct and Performance Deficiencies and DAOD 5019-4, Remedial Measures, as appropriate.
  2. for CIs, CJCR Gp O 5019-6, Codes of Conduct and CJCR Gp O 5530-1, Civilian Instructor Management.
  3. for CJCR Gp Volunteers, CJCR Gp O 5019-6, Codes of Conduct, CJCR Gp O 5530-3, CJCR Gp Volunteer Management.
  4. for cadets, CJCR Gp O 5019-3, Conduct and Performance Interventions – Cadets, and CJCR Gp O 5019-6, Codes of Conduct.
• 4.14 In the case of a medical RTU, the home RCSU or corps/squadron will ensure support is provided to the individual and appropriate steps are taken in accordance with CJCR Gp O 5530-2, Insurance, if required.

5. Finance

• 5.1 Individuals on paid duty, will continue to be paid the authorized daily amount until the completion of their travel back to their point of origin.

6. Course/Training Report and Performance Evaluations

• 6.1 The course/training report or performance evaluation will be completed prior to the individual’s departure from the authorized cadet activity or course and will be annotated with the RTU category and the general reason for non-completion of the course.
• 6.2 Course/training reports that are annotated with RTU for medical reasons, RTU for compassionate reasons, or RTU when requested, will not preclude the individual from re-taking the training or course upon approval from the home RCSU CO or their designate. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

7. Publication

• 7.1 Publication and review of CJCR Gp Os and Instructions is conducted in accordance with CJCR Gp O 1000-0, Foundation Framework for CJCR Gp Orders and Instructions.

Frequency of Publication

• 7.2 A periodic review of CJCR Gp Os and CJCR Gp Instructions will be initiated every 5 years, or more frequently if necessary.

Errors/Omissions or Suggestions

• 7.3 Readers of CJCR Gp Os are encouraged to identify any errors, omissions or suggested orders to the attention of CJCRPol-PolCRJC@forces.gc.ca.

8. References

Source References

• DAOD 5019-0, Conduct and Performance Deficiencies
• DAOD 5019-4, Remedial Measures

Related References

• CJCR Gp O 3020-1, Transportation Procedures
• CJCR Gp O 5019-3, Conduct and Performance Interventions – Cadets
• CJCR Gp O 5019-6, Codes of Conduct
• CJCR Gp O 5530-1, Civilian Instructor Management
• CJCR Gp O 5530-3, CJCR Gp Volunteer Management

Annexes

Annex A

• Message Format for RTU