Term |
Description |
|---|---|
| Base | A Canadian Forces Base (CFB) is a military installation. Bases provide accommodation and support services for the military units assigned to it. |
| CADPAT | The CADPAT (Canadian Disruptive Pattern uniform) is the operational dress for the Canadian Army, but military members in the Royal Canadian Navy or Royal Canadian Air Force may also wear it. |
| Canadian Armed Forces Personnel Appraisal System (CFPAS) | The Canadian Armed Forces Personnel Appraisal System (CFPAS) is a system used to develop military careers and evaluate military members. The CFPAS is very important for military members since it determines the future of their military careers. |
| Canadian Army | The Canadian Army is the land component of the CAF. The Canadian Army is an organized force armed for fighting on land. |
| Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) | CJOC is responsible for anticipating and conducting Canadian Armed Forces operations (less operations conducted solely by North American Aerospace Defence Command or specified operations conducted by Canadian Special Operations Forces Command) and develops, generates and integrates joint force capabilities for operations. |
| Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) | CANSOFCOM is responsible for all Special Forces operations that respond to terrorism and threats to Canadians and Canadian interests around the world. |
| Chief of the Air Force Staff | The Chief of the Air Force Staff is the senior Air appointment and is responsible to the CDS for the command and operational readiness of the Royal Canadian Air Force. |
| Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) | The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) is Canada’s senior serving officer and the head of the Canadian Armed Forces. |
| Chief of the Army Staff | The Chief of the Army Staff is the senior Army appointment and is responsible to the CDS for the command and operational readiness of the Canadian Army. |
| Chief of the Naval Staff | The Chief of the Naval Staff is the senior Naval appointment and is responsible to the CDS for the command and operational readiness of the Royal Canadian Navy. |
| Code of Service Discipline (CSD) | The Code of Service Discipline (CSD) is the basis of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) military justice system. The CSD is designed to assist military commanders in maintaining discipline, efficiency, and morale within the CAF. |
| Commission | A commission is an official document issued by the government and conferring on the recipient the rank of an officer in the armed forces. |
| Custom | A custom is a long standing, continuing practice, or observance and is often unwritten rules. |
| Department of National Defence (DND) | The Department of National Defence (DND) consists of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and public servants. |
| Ethics | Ethics can be defined as the search to discern what is good or right, and what is bad or wrong, in order to do what is good or right. |
| Ethos | Ethos is the moral beliefs, attitudes and habits that are characteristic of a person or group. Within an organization ethos can be the organization’s values, culture and/or atmosphere. |
| National Defence Act (NDA) | The National Defence Act (NDA) identifies the legal and organizational foundation of the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and the Code of Service Discipline. |
| Non-commissioned member | A non-commissioned member is a serviceman other than an officer. A non-commissioned member does not hold a commission. |
| Oath of allegiance | The oath of allegiance is a custom, which is required of everyone who joins the Canadian Armed Forces. To give one’s oath, is a contract, and a solemn promise of loyalty to the country. It is given voluntarily of ones own free will, and its nature is very serious. |
| Officer | An officer is a serviceman who has received the King's (or Queen's) or Viceroy's (or Governor General’s) Commission or a CAF member who holds the rank of officer cadet. |
| Posting | A posting is the rotation of military members into new positions. Postings are done to enhance training and experience, and to keep members alert and ready to handle new challenges. |
| Regular Force | Regular Force members are fulltime members of the Canadian Armed Forces. When they join the Regular Force, they are signing on for several years of service. |
| Reserve Force | The Reserve Force is made up of men and women who volunteer to devote a portion of their spare time to military service. A limited number of reservists also volunteer to serve on a full time basis. |
| Royal Canadian Air Force | The Royal Canadian Air Force is Canada’s air component of the CAF. The Royal Canadian Air Force contributes substantially to the defence of Canada and North America. |
| Royal Canadian Navy | The Royal Canadian Navy is the sea component of the CAF. The Royal Canadian Navy maintains the combat-capable naval forces necessary for Canada’s defence. |
| Station | A Canadian Forces Station (CFS) is a minor military installation. Stations are operationally oriented units that usually do not have support capability. |
| Terms of Service (TOS) | A TOS is a contract between a member and the Canadian Armed Forces to provide military service until lawfully released. |
| Traditions | Traditions are the passing down of knowledge, beliefs, thought processes, and codes of behaviour, usually without writing it down. Symbols are very important to traditions. |
| Wing | A wing is the Air Force equivalent of a base. |
