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“From individual to collective training, in accordance with proficiency and professional standards, we will get back to it, but we’ll be smart about it,” he added.

Vance also noted the Canadian Forces intends to proceed with a limited “posting season,” a reference to the annual movement of thousands of military personnel and their families to new jobs across the country. Much of the movement takes place in the summer.

Around 11,000 military personnel usually move each year. That happens as military personnel are promoted or sent to new positions in units or other jobs at bases around the country. Others are moved to various headquarters overseas.

The busiest time for postings and relocations from one community to another is during what is known as the “Active Posting Season” or APS, according to the Canadian Forces. During APS, about 5,000 to 6,000 members receive their posting messages, usually during the spring. Those come 90 days before the date they are expected to report to the new location.

Vance stated the posting season “has clearly been delayed, and will be made more challenging by COVID-19 related travel restrictions, uncertainty in the real-estate market, availability of commercial interim lodgings and meals and safety. For many, you will be informed if your posting is cancelled or delayed by a year.”

Those military personnel being posted this year, will be kept informed of when and how to conduct their move. “Moves will need to be conducted with COVID precautions built in to protect you and your family and, importantly, those that you would come into contact with during the move process,” Vance stated. “It is important that you keep your chain of command informed as to any factors that would reasonably prevent you from being able to conduct a move this Active Posting Season. Postings for many will be severely delayed as we have extended the APS to the end of December, 2020. Move dates, particularly for those with children going to a new school, will be made as flexible as possible, where circumstances permit.”

Promotions that come with postings to assume new duties will continue as planned, and all promotions, regardless whether the new duties are assumed or not will be honoured by the end of the year. Vance stated that may leave the Canadian Forces “with many positions over-ranked beginning January 2021, but this situation will be resolved during the 2021 APS.”