Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction 06/05 – Administering the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular Force) Exit Survey

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2005-05-12

Date of Modification: 2024-12-01

Application: This instruction applies to all Wing/Base Personnel Selection Officers (W/BPSOs).

Supersession: CANFORGEN 079/01, 091700Z JUL 01

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Administrative Response Centre (ARC)

2. Introduction

2.1 Attrition, retention, and recruiting are significant human resource (HR) issues within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and their oversight is part of the strategic HR plan. A number of initiatives have been introduced that will allow leaders to better understand and address personnel shortfalls and foster a more committed workforce. One of the key initiatives is the formation of a section in CMP to monitor attrition levels within military occupations and examine occupationally specific reasons why members are leaving through the means of the Retention Intervention Process (CAFMPI 08/03, The Canadian Armed Forces Retention Intervention Process) refers. Additionally, the CAF Attrition Information Questionnaire (CFAIQ) has been replaced by the CAF Exit Survey, which is designed to reflect the present-day characteristics of CAF members as well as complement the CAF Retention Survey.

3. Aim

3.1 The aim of this instruction is to provide details concerning the administration of the CAF Exit Survey (hereinafter referred to as the 'Survey').

4. Background

Scope

4.1 The responsibility for administering the Survey will rest with W/BPSOs. Once the Survey has been implemented locally, use of the CFAIQ will end and all remaining electronic or paper copies will be scrapped. W/BPSOs will ensure that copies at sites where this previous survey was administered in other than their location are also scrapped.

4.2 The Survey will solicit information from respondents on their reasons for leaving the CAF. It will provide vital information on individual circumstances by asking members to describe, in their own words, their most important motive for leaving. 

5. Administration

5.1 All Regular Force members who are leaving the CAF voluntarily will be asked to complete the Survey. Members who are being released for reasons related to medical or disciplinary issues or compulsory retirement age will not be asked to complete the Survey.

5.2 The Survey is an electronic instrument that will eliminate the need to store, mail, order, or capture data from paper questionnaires. The electronic format will reduce associated costs and errors in data capture.

5.3 The Survey provides information to the member on its purpose, confidentiality, and how to respond. The instructions will also inform the member that participation is voluntary and will caution those who are not releasing voluntarily not to complete the survey.

5.4 The W/BPSO roles will be to administer the survey and to secure the maximum number of participants by promoting the Survey to the extent that is deemed necessary. At Wings/Bases where members do not routinely visit the Personnel Selection Officer (PSO) during release clearance, the W/BPSO will arrange with the appropriate administrative authority to have the PSO included as a required release clearance.

5.5 A link to access the Survey will be provided by DMEP to the W/BPSO. The survey can be completed and submitted on-line.

Research Support

5.6 Any questions or concerns related to purpose, content, suggested revisions, or outcomes of the survey or about securing potential participants or introducing the survey to members should be directed to DMEP 4-8 at (613) 992-6648.

6. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Associated DAOD

• N/A

Other References

• CAFMPI 08/03, The Canadian Armed Forces Retention Intervention Process
• Personnel Psychology Directive 500 (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)