CAF Application for Army Technical Staff Officer Program

The Canadian Armed Forces is accepting applications for the Army Technical Staff Officer Program ( ATSOP) and Army Technical Warrant Officer Program (ATWOP).

“The aim of ATSOP and ATWOP is to produce competent capability development personnel who have a broad base of knowledge in science, technology, and management and who have the ability to apply that knowledge within a team environment to enhance the capabilities of the CAF,” noted CANFORGEN 162/23.

Course graduates will be granted the following qualifications:

• ATSOP – OSQ code AEOZ
• ATWOP- OSQ code AHYN, and title of master gunner
• ATSOP and ATWOP- trials management officer OSQ AICL

Employed in a Capability Development Position

“ATSOP and ATWOP graduates will be employed in a capability development position to utilize the training received and to ensure there is a return to the CAF for this substantial investment in training and education,” noted the CAFORGEN.

The ATSOP and ATWOP are offered at the Royal Military College (RMC) Department of Applied Military Science (AMS) and will take place at RMC Kingston from July 15, 2024, to June 20, 2025.

“Application deadlines for nomination submissions to career managers are set by the respective corps/branch/trade,” noted the CANFORGEN.

Career managers must submit vetted applications to the Canadian Army OPI no later than Nov. 24, 23.

Approximately 24 students are accepted annually into the program. This year’s program has 15 officers (1x foreign) and 10 NCMs. The CANFORGEN noted a wide range of technical positions are becoming vacant for the active posting season (APS).

Projected Openings

The projected openings include:

Graduates Could be Granted

Once completed, ATSOP and ATWOP graduates could be granted up to eight undergraduate Bachelor of Military Arts and Sciences credits. However, the number may change from year to year based on the evolving content of the programs.

Students meeting the prerequisites may also apply to the RMC Master of Business Administration (MBA) program and receive between six and nine of the 15 credits needed to complete an MBA.

“Building on a current pilot initiative, there may also be two additional post-graduate (PG) study options available for Signals and RCEME Officers who meet the academic admissions prerequisites,” noted the CANFORGEN.

Engage with Chain of Command

The CANFORGEN noted personnel interested in taking the course should engage with their Chain of Command and respective career managers for details about priority. AMS will issue letters of offer and joining instructions in January-February 2024 once the career managers have confirmed student selection and probable post-course technical employment.