Senior Leadership Programme (SLP)

The aim of the Senior Leadership Programme (SLP) is to prepare prospective chief petty officers 1st class and chief warrant officers (CPO 1/CWO) for higher institutional responsibilities in leadership, staff and senior advisory positions. The CPO 1/CWO occupies a unique position within the framework of the CAF. The traditional role of the CPO 1/CWO has been to act as the custodian of the non-commissioned member corps, and as a co-steward of the CAF profession of arms. The SLP stresses the tasks which are not dependent on the Military Occupation Codes inside sectors of responsibilities. In the same way, it is taught so as to promote the commitments entered into by the CAF towards self-awareness, continuous learning and improvement through education and self-development.

The SLP is delivered in two phases: a first phase in distance-learning and a second phase in face-to-face learning at the Osside Institute on the site of Royal Military College Saint-Jean.

Distance Learning

The distance learning phase of the SLP consists of a ten-week asynchronous course, which means that candidates may complete it at their own pace prior to attending the face-to-face learning phase of the programme. This learning mode is thus a flexible and effective way to learn without having to attend classes or adhere to a strict timetable. Following registration, the candidate will receive a course manual with all the information, lessons, reading material, and instructions for course assignments. For the duration of this course, candidates benefit from the guidance of a teaching staff who can answer questions and will correct the candidate’s assignments.

Though a variety of teaching methods including discussion forums, the modules cover topics such as institutional leadership, the conduct of operations in the Canadian Armed Forces and the organization of both the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

Upon completion of the course, the candidate will be able to reach the following objectives:

  • Explain the profession of arms in Canada;
  • Describe the CAF Professional Development system;
  • Describe the general system of war and conflict model;
  • Identify the major concepts of the CAF Joint and Combined Doctrine;
  • Summarize the organizational attributes of DND and the CAF;
  • Summarize the role of the CAF as an instrument of Government policy.

Residential Learning

The second 3-week phase of the SLP is delivered in face-to-face learning and takes place at the Osside Institute on the site of Royal Military College Saint-Jean. The curriculum is based upon study, homework, syndicate and individual assignments, discussion and lectures given by both staff instructors and guest speakers. The main subject areas covered are:

  • Leading the institution;
  • Providing advice on the conduct of operations and activities;
  • Providing input on a plan;
  • Communicate orally and in writing;
  • Manage departmental resources; and
  • Policy.

In order to work effectively in a complex and uncertain military environment, all military personnel in the CAF must rely on intellectual resources and a specific skill set. The CAF requires officers and non-commissioned members with outstanding intellectual ability, capable of effective command and possessing the leadership and management skills required in today's military context. This is why this course develops those abilities that will be useful to military personnel in areas other than the subjects covered by the course. These skills include the ability to do research, read specialized documentation, and write critically. While preparing their course assignments, the candidate will learn how to structure and explain ideas in the form of a rational argument based on concrete facts and reference material.

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