The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is taking steps to reshape the future of military healthcare.
With the retirement of long-standing Medical Technician and Medical Assistant roles, two new occupations, Paramedic and Combat Medic, are being introduced. According to Capt. Gabriel Pitre. Public Affairs Officer, Canadian Forces Health Services Headquarters, the move will clarify career paths, sharpen scopes of practice, and provide specialized training designed to keep pace with modern operations and deliver stronger frontline care.
We sat down with Capt. Pitre to learn more about the changes and what they mean.
Q What is the rationale behind the creation of these two new occupations?
The occupations of Medical Technician and Medical Assistant were subject to an occupational analysis in 2020. In the CAF, occupations undergo this process about every 10 years to ensure they are keeping up with modern needs and to address any occupational issues that have developed over time.
The Medical Technician analysis sought to address a couple of key areas, including bringing medics up to date with an expanding job scope and determining ways to create more efficient training pathways.
Prior to the analysis, Medical Technicians in the Regular Force were seen as being employable across all domains of practice and lines of operations. Medical Technicians would be expected to perform job tasks ranging from operational planning, frontline medical support to operations, pharmacy and medical-stores management, and primary care support to CAF members at bases and wings across Canada. To achieve this, all Medical Technicians were provided training as a Primary Care Paramedic, even though many of the jobs being filled by Medical Technicians did not require this level of training. This training program was conducted over the course of six months and supplemented with an additional 92 days of military medical training.
By creating two new occupations, the analysis team determined which job tasks truly required Primary Care Paramedic level training, and which tasks would allow those trained to this level to regularly use these competencies. Jobs based on the latter were then moved into the smaller Paramedic occupation (approximately 370 Regular Force and 500 Reserve Force members), which will allow these personnel to practise to their professional scope and maintain their competencies throughout their career.
Jobs that were deemed not to require paramedic training, or where the job would not allow personnel to work to a Primary Care Paramedic scope, were moved into the larger Combat Medic occupation (approximately 900 Regular Force members and 800 Reserve Force members).
Q How do the new training requirements compare to the previous standards?
The new training requirements are tailor-made to support the needs of these new occupations. Compared to previous standards that trained everyone as a Primary Care Paramedic, the new training matches employment requirements and provides the ability to maintain competency for each occupation.
Combat Medics will undergo a streamlined training program consisting of the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification and a Military Medicine Training module tailored to operational environments. This adaptable, focused, and shorter training pathway of approximately 90 days allows the CAF to generate personnel more rapidly, a critical enabler in high-intensity or large-scale combat operations. Upon promotion to Corporal, Combat Medics will receive additional 30 days of training in primary care, enabling them to work in CAF Health Services Centres and other clinical environments on bases and wings across the CAF.
Paramedics will complete a Primary Care Paramedic diploma at a civilian college (fully subsidized by the CAF) and a Military Medicine module of approximately 115 days to ensure they possess the advanced skills necessary to work in a military environment.
Q What challenges might arise during the rollout and integration of these two new roles?
One of the biggest challenges around any change is communication. As we roll out these new occupations, it is important to communicate differences in scopes of practice and roles of these two occupations. Historically, a Medical Technician could be employed in any task on any operation, but planning will now have to account for the requirements of each task to ensure they align to the appropriate occupation.
We have been communicating extensively both internally and externally about these changes. This is being done to help planners and commanders understand these new occupations. For the most part, CAF members should not notice any difference in their day-to-day access to healthcare.
Q What is the timeline and process for implementation?
This project was launched June 30, 2025. Preparation work has been underway for the last five years, and we have had a dedicated implementation team working full-time on planning the rollout of this project for the last year.
Many of the major changes have already taken place. For example, some former Medical Technicians and Medical Assistants have been transferred into either Combat Medic or Paramedic positions, and new training courses have already been developed, the first of which is expected to start in November 2025. The CAF has already enrolled some individuals directly into the new Combat Medic and Paramedic occupation. We expect the transition to these new occupations to be complete by early 2027.
Q What does a “total force” training model entail?
The “total force” training model refers to the idea of Regular Force and Reserve Force members having the same access to training opportunities. Previously, Reserve Force Medical Assistants were not trained to the same level as Regular Force Medical Technicians. Under the new structure, the Regular Force and Reserve Force members of both occupations receive the same training. This allows for a lot more opportunities for Reserve Force integration across the spectrum of CAF operations and creates exciting and attractive career opportunities in the Reserve Force.
Q Will these changes affect career progression or opportunities within the CAF?
These changes will have a positive effect on career progression and opportunities for both occupations. From the very beginning, potential CAF applicants will have the ability to choose from two healthcare careers that are more clearly defined. This means that they can choose an employment stream that aligns better with their interests and aspirations in the CAF.
Additionally, Combat Medic entry standards have been updated to make this a more accessible career for those without post-secondary education. Applicants can join as a Combat Medic after completing Grade 11. After they complete 90 days of training that involves Emergency Medical Responder certification, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and an additional top up of military medicine skills and knowledge, they can apply for CAF-sponsored education programs that would allow them to complete Primary Care Paramedic training and move into the Paramedic occupation if they have an interest in that field.
Both Combat Medics and Paramedics have exciting opportunities for advancement and leadership. Each profession offers a unique scope of practice and operates within complementary environments. These are two separate career paths, each with vital responsibilities and excellent prospects for professional growth and leadership development.
Q Is there anything else you would like to add?
As the operational landscape changes, the CAF must change as well to keep pace. With an eye to present and future operational requirements, it is important to be mindful of what is truly required to achieve the tasks leading to mission success across various types of operations. At the end of the day, all the previous tasks will continue to get done, but the CAF will have a better focus on who should be doing them and what training is needed to get them done successfully.
