I'd appreciate policy interpretation insights into the text of CFLPM 5.6 Special Leave (Education), how it is applied, and appropriate justifications when requesting approval.
What I am looking at: When can I be in "situations when members are not required to perform academic or service duties"?
(a) situations when members are not required to perform academic or service duties; or
(b) periods between the cessation of summer training and the date on which a member is required to return to a university or Canadian Military College to begin academic or service training.
How I think it gets routinely applied: Subsidized education student has a leave plan that includes all their annual, and there's time left over where it doesn't make sense to have them do OJE. Is this correct?
How should a request for it be justified?
What I'm doing:
I'm tracking blocks of time between academic courses where it seems to be applicable, and I'm drafting a leave plan, and I'd like to make sure it doesn't bounce.
The leave plan includes use of all annual and accumulated leave this FY. The simplest, clearest example block is the two weeks between my last summer course and labour day.
#. Special Leave (Education) is appropriate for the specified dates, as:
a. IAW Ref A and Ref D, I will be attending full-time, in-person academic courses during the periods of 10 May- 26 Jun and 6 Jul-21 Aug; and
b. IAW CFLPM 5.601, I am not required to perform academic or service duties, as I have completed all courses available to me at this time.
#+1. Unless otherwise approved by BTL, I will remain IVO Vancouver, BC during these leave periods.
#+2. Approval of the leave plan as an exception to the CFB Edmonton Leave Plan FY26/27 is in the interests of my family and I IOT:
a. Support family medical and emotional needs while my spouse is actively treated for X;
b. Conduct pers admin, appointments, and activities IAW medical advice to reduce my MELs; and
c. Defer annual leave to periods when the family may be healthier to enjoy it together.
#+3. This action is in the interests of the CAF for the following reasons:
a. Lessened aggravation of current medical concerns will promote a more rapid recovery to being fit full duties;
b. Distribution of leave throughout the remainder of the year will allow maximum readiness and efficacy;
c. Supervision for OJE during periods between academic courses would distract CAF personnel from higher-priority duties relative to the short and discontinuous time available for development; and
d. Under this plan, I will be able to complete all 25 days of annual and 1 day of accumulated leave in FY26/27.
#+4. In the event that there is a deviation from the plan for completion of my university degree outlined in Ref C, I understand that my leave will be adjusted, including retroactive adjustments, IOT ensure that no days of annual or accumulated leave remain at the end of FY26/27.
Circumstances:
CAFJODs done, no directly relevant DL courses, over 20 years prior service
Combination of short period of time, lack of local opportunities, and family obligations make OJE impractical
Spouse being actively treated for life-threatening illness, with significant support required
Children are getting the short end of the stick in terms of attention and are getting emotionally scarred.
While I can handle what's in front of me right now, I can easily see burnout on the horizon.
What I want:
Time to support my distressed kids and to take care of myself
Time that that my family can enjoy together when everyone is likely to be healthier
Any feedback on how this leave policy works or how I should present this is appreciated.
What I am looking at: When can I be in "situations when members are not required to perform academic or service duties"?
5.6.01 Policy
Special Leave (Education) may be granted under the following circumstances for members attending an educational institution at public expense:(a) situations when members are not required to perform academic or service duties; or
(b) periods between the cessation of summer training and the date on which a member is required to return to a university or Canadian Military College to begin academic or service training.
How I think it gets routinely applied: Subsidized education student has a leave plan that includes all their annual, and there's time left over where it doesn't make sense to have them do OJE. Is this correct?
How should a request for it be justified?
What I'm doing:
I'm tracking blocks of time between academic courses where it seems to be applicable, and I'm drafting a leave plan, and I'd like to make sure it doesn't bounce.
The leave plan includes use of all annual and accumulated leave this FY. The simplest, clearest example block is the two weeks between my last summer course and labour day.
#. Special Leave (Education) is appropriate for the specified dates, as:
a. IAW Ref A and Ref D, I will be attending full-time, in-person academic courses during the periods of 10 May- 26 Jun and 6 Jul-21 Aug; and
b. IAW CFLPM 5.601, I am not required to perform academic or service duties, as I have completed all courses available to me at this time.
#+1. Unless otherwise approved by BTL, I will remain IVO Vancouver, BC during these leave periods.
#+2. Approval of the leave plan as an exception to the CFB Edmonton Leave Plan FY26/27 is in the interests of my family and I IOT:
a. Support family medical and emotional needs while my spouse is actively treated for X;
b. Conduct pers admin, appointments, and activities IAW medical advice to reduce my MELs; and
c. Defer annual leave to periods when the family may be healthier to enjoy it together.
#+3. This action is in the interests of the CAF for the following reasons:
a. Lessened aggravation of current medical concerns will promote a more rapid recovery to being fit full duties;
b. Distribution of leave throughout the remainder of the year will allow maximum readiness and efficacy;
c. Supervision for OJE during periods between academic courses would distract CAF personnel from higher-priority duties relative to the short and discontinuous time available for development; and
d. Under this plan, I will be able to complete all 25 days of annual and 1 day of accumulated leave in FY26/27.
#+4. In the event that there is a deviation from the plan for completion of my university degree outlined in Ref C, I understand that my leave will be adjusted, including retroactive adjustments, IOT ensure that no days of annual or accumulated leave remain at the end of FY26/27.
Circumstances:
CAFJODs done, no directly relevant DL courses, over 20 years prior service
Combination of short period of time, lack of local opportunities, and family obligations make OJE impractical
Spouse being actively treated for life-threatening illness, with significant support required
Children are getting the short end of the stick in terms of attention and are getting emotionally scarred.
While I can handle what's in front of me right now, I can easily see burnout on the horizon.
What I want:
Time to support my distressed kids and to take care of myself
Time that that my family can enjoy together when everyone is likely to be healthier
Any feedback on how this leave policy works or how I should present this is appreciated.
