Policy

Canadian Armed Forces to Simplify, Standardize and Streamline Release Process

Michelle Levesque October 10, 2024

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The military has plans underway to “simplify, standardize and streamline” the release process.

The momentous change is due to a set of new digital tools that will change the current release administration process. This change came in effect Sept. 3, 2024.

“This change marks the first step of a broader digital transformation intuitive and will initially impact Regular Force Canadian Armed Forces members, Chains of Command and release administrators,” stated CANFORGEN 139/24.

Members from Alpha Company (A Coy), 1 Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI) head to the next building during urban operations training on Exercise MAPLE DETACHMENT 5 (MD5) in Wedrzyn Training Area Poland as part of Operation REASSURANCE on January 25, 2017. Photo: Cpl Jay Ekin, Operation REASSURANCE Land Task Force Imagery Technician.

New Digital Portal

According to the CANFORGEN, CAF members wishing to opt for a voluntary release can now do so through the new digital portal titled Electronic-Canadian Armed Forces Release Administration.

“The digital platform, accessible via DWAN or personal devices, allows for the seamless transmission of requests directly to the member’s chain of command release administrators while enabling the capability for members to monitor the status of their request,” informed the CANFORGEN.

All release-related administration must be carried out by the chains of command in the new releases module in Monitor Mass, which also includes recommending or approving releases.

According to the military, the new tool also will make completion of the mandatory Unit Retention Interview easier. Members undertaking a voluntary release will complete the first segment of the Unit Retention Interview in the new digital portal, which will be transmitted to the chain of command via the Monitor Mass Release Module.

HMCS Montcalm Naval reservists from Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montcalm participate in a ceremony in front of the city hall of Quebec, QC, in the presence of the Mayor of Quebec, Mr. Bruno Marchand, to celebrate the centennial of the Naval Reserve and exercise their right of citizenship, September 23, 2023. Photo by: Corporal Marc-André Leclerc, Imagery Section, Valcartier.

Reserve Units

The CANFORGEN outlines guidelines for Reserve Units as well. All release related administration must be completed on the Canadian Armed Forces Release Administration Tool (CAFRA), once they’ve been trained.

Reserve Units can expect further enhancements to the system in the near future, stated the military memo.

In addition, those CAF members looking to Component Transfer to the Reserve Force can also do so using the new Electronic-Canadian Armed Forces Release Administration.

For more information, Canadian Armed Forces members can visit the Digital Transition Centre website here.