# 2022-017 Careers, Component Transfer, Promotion, Relinquishment of Rank

Case summary

F&R Date: 2023-11-20

The grievor argued that his request to relinquish his rank upon leaving the Royal Military College (RMC) was not properly administered by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and led a delay of his promotion to the rank of Corporal (Cpl). In his submissions, the grievor indicated that upon arriving at his new unit, he identified to the orderly room that the pay sheet reflected that he was still an Officer Cadet (OCdt) but thought that he should have been a Private (Pte). The grievor explained that he continued to parade wearing the rank of Pte until it was noted following the completion of development period 1, that his request to relinquish his rank was never actioned and he had remained an OCdt. The grievor indicated that following a new request to relinquish his rank of OCdt and become a Pte, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant.

There is no Initial Authority decision or analysis on file as this grievance was referred directly to the Final Authority (FA).

The Committee through its enquiries learned that at the time the grievor arrived at his new unit, there was a lack of qualified personnel working in the unit orderly room. It appears that both the grievor and his unit were under the incorrect impression that RMC had actioned the grievor's request to relinquish his rank. It was clear to the Committee, based on the grievor's submissions to RMC, that he no longer wished to continue his career as an officer in the CAF and that they should have actioned his request to relinquish his rank. The Committee also found that regardless of staffing issues, the grievor's unit should have confirmed with RMC if the process had been initiated.

The Committee recommended to the FA to provide the grievor redress by amending his promotion date to Cpl.