It does make sense from a unit perspective, as it could allow them to have a member posted in to replace them
It makes sense from a unit perspective. The downside is it incentivizes units to get rid of their injured (or problematic) people to free up space without giving them an opportunity to recover and remain closer to their peers (which we know aids recovery).
The transition center is exactly what I need if I'm being released. I can start doing job experience in a new field, do up a resume and make sure all my paperwork is in for LTD, Pension, Provincial health coverage, and get the retired military health and dental plan, Also gives me time to collect all my documents from the MIR, start to find a family doctor, sell my house, look into school options and will give me the opportunity to talk to mental health.
I get it. I understand why anyone would want posted to a TC as it certainly makes transitioning easier.
Some people have this idea that when they show up to a TC they're left to do whatever they want. Essentially 6 months of leave before release. That's not accurate. If your MELs indicate you can still work then the TC should put you right back to work immediately. You're not on your own time.
What I was saying previously is you can still do all those things you mentioned from your current unit so it's a
want vs
need. None of the examples you gave are solid reasons why you would need a posting to a TC. They're all normal things that people do from their home units all the time.
I know there's been talk on and off about having any member releasing medically to be posted to a Transition Center prior to release. Lots of pros and cons.
The last thing I would want to do is work until the release date.
Yeah. One of the issues the TCs fight with is people wanting to get posted there who don't want to work anymore (but still get paid). I'm not saying you're guilty of that, but that their current system (along with the medical system) allows for people to take advantage of this. Like I said above, some people show up at a TC thinking they have 6 months off. That's wrong.
I like the idea of injured CAF members still being able to work and serve Canada (if they want to). I just met a nice dude who somehow hasn't did a FORCE test in 9 years and can't deploy. He's got certain skills so they've kept him (on his way out now though).
On the other hand maybe when someone is injured and prognosis is to release they should just be given 6 months and released.
All this is null and void if they introduce an option to extend the IREM program, which I would apply for if able 1 year prior to my release.
If the CAF is willing to extend members who are releasing 1, 3, 9 years prior to release maybe they should just change UoS and make people like yourself (and the fellow I met) remain in the CAF. Raise the threshold to release someone under UoS.
-You can volunteer or work in a job for work experience during the 6 months in the transition center.
-You can start schooling during your time in the transition center.
A posting to the Transition Center isn't just 6 months. Some members have been posted there for years. The benefits you're talking about here are benefits that
any member releasing from the CAF
medically is entitled to. Including you at the unit you're currently with.
7 months prior to your date of release (regardless of where you're posted) you can:
a. go to part time or full time school for up to 6 months to complete stand alone courses or a course(s) you need to attend school post-release; and
b. work at a civilian job placement somewhere to give you OJE for a field you're interested in going into (or even just want to do tonget away from the CAF). You're still paid by DND and not where ever you're working. You can't technically volunteer somehwre because volunteer work bynit's nature is unpaid, but you're being paid by the DND. Sometimes there's creative ways around it though.
