Canadian Armed Forces wants to make the transition from its ranks seamless.
It’s not surprising that the website of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG) contains a road map. As veterans will tell you, transition to civilian life can be tough to navigate.
But this is a road map with a difference. Aside from displaying services offered and how they have been improved, it also details how the CAF TG intends to further improve. Those aspirations look pretty ambitious.
The CAF TG was created in December 2018 as a replacement for the Joint Personnel Service Unit (JPSU.)
“The true measure of a military is how you treat those who have fallen and those who are wounded,” Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance said at the time. “We’ve got to get this right.”
Brig.-Gen. Mark Misener, the group’s founding commander, has three goals. He wants to continuously improve the care and support of ill and injured CAF members, their families and the families of the fallen; implement a renewed and improved transition experience and grow the CAF TG's capability and partner integration.
Misener says it’s a work-in-progress, though much has been done already.
JPSU’s 32 transition centres around the country remain, for example, but the CAF TG has an updated structure and more resources.
“Whether you’re an ill or injured member or a member of the family or family of the fallen or a member considering transition, [you’ll] walk through the same door to receive services,” Misener says. “We’re trying to create that one-stop shop.’’
The road map says that one-stop shop will be fully operational by 2025.
To Misener, one could divide transitioning members into three groups. One third have challenges, or in some cases, “a really hard time”; another third are agnostic or ambivalent about the experience and a final third “find it easy.” Life skills and preparedness to move on become important.
And before members leave, they should be thinking about their support group, housing, health and finances. “We have to start speaking in this language much earlier,” Misener says.
In addition, there are new online tools, including a career transition portal on Canada.ca, which assembles online information and resources from the Forces, Veterans Affairs Canada and partners such as Second Career Assistance Network training. The My Transition Guide is a reference for members and families to access information on available support and services. In addition, the My Transition app, is now available for download on the Apple app store and Google Play and enhanced transition training is available for all leaving military service.
There is also a transition trial at Canadian Forces Base Borden. Col. Kevin Cameron, deputy commander of the transition group, says the trial is about transition, not necessarily about leaving the Forces. Sometimes members simply want a change of responsibilities. Or, for those who leave for a civilian job, what about a stint in the reserves?
A lot has been invested in Forces members’ development and training, hence the option of transitioning while staying in.
“They are presented with options they haven’t considered,” Cameron says of the trial.
Forty per cent of the 140 members in the Borden trial didn’t know they could either change, but stay in the military, or leave, but retain a connection through the reserves.
Misener says all members should know transition is something to prepare for. If a member’s finances are not in good shape while in the Forces, they will be a problem post-transition.
“We can’t do it for them,” he says.
What the Transition Group can do for members, Misener says, is offer a wider scope of services.
“I want every member and their family to be informed, prepared and empowered when it comes to their transition.”