Career and recognition
Data categories
Having a career that is both challenging and rewarding can help increase job satisfaction, productivity, and engagement. When people are stimulated at work, they are more likely to be motivated to perform at their best and contribute to the organization’s success. A rewarding career also helps foster a sense of common purpose and shared engagement.
It is important to invest in employees and members, providing opportunities for skills-based learning and career growth, so they can maintain a challenging and rewarding Defence career. This ultimately helps create a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement, as well as improve DND/CAF job satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
Sentiment towards challenging and rewarding career
These metrics are from the Your Say Matters (YSM) survey and reflect responses from both DND public service employees and CAF members.
Defence Team
I am satisfied with the way my career is being managed:
| category | subcategory | Year | % Agree | % Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall | 2022 | 39% | 61% |
| Gender | All Men | 2022 | 38% | 62% |
| Gender | All Women | 2022 | 47% | 53% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Men | 2022 | 43% | 57% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Women | 2022 | 48% | 52% |
| Gender | Regular Force Men | 2022 | 37% | 64% |
| Gender | Regular Force Women | 2022 | 47% | 53% |
| Component | Primary Reserve | 2022 | 42% | 58% |
| Component | Regular Force | 2022 | 38% | 62% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 32% | 68% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Officer | 2022 | 38% | 62% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 51% | 49% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Officer | 2022 | 44% | 56% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 47% | 54% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Officer | 2022 | 34% | 66% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 52% | 48% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Officer | 2022 | 27% | 73% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 28% | 73% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Officer | 2022 | 40% | 60% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 51% | 49% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Officer | 2022 | 55% | 45% |
I am satisfied with my opportunities for promotion:
| category | subcategory | Year | % Agree | % Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall | 2022 | 48% | 52% |
| Gender | All Men | 2022 | 48% | 52% |
| Gender | All Women | 2022 | 57% | 44% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Men | 2022 | 57% | 43% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Women | 2022 | 59% | 41% |
| Gender | Regular Force Men | 2022 | 44% | 56% |
| Gender | Regular Force Women | 2022 | 56% | 44% |
| Component | Primary Reserve | 2022 | 56% | 44% |
| Component | Regular Force | 2022 | 45% | 55% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 38% | 62% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Officer | 2022 | 57% | 43% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Officer | 2022 | 51% | 49% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 52% | 48% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Officer | 2022 | 76% | 24% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 56% | 45% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Officer | 2022 | 35% | 65% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 34% | 66% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Officer | 2022 | 45% | 55% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 62% | 38% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Officer | 2022 | 62% | 38% |
Data Source: Your Say Matters: Defence Team Well-Being Survey (2022)
CAF Regular Force promotions
This promotion data for CAF Regular Force officers by rank comes from the Open Government Portal. The fiscal years shown are named by the calendar years they end in (e.g., 2020 is fiscal year 19/20, from 1 Apr 2019 to 31 Mar 2020). Members were promoted out of the ranks shown. Only promotions into competitive ranks are counted. Definitions for each rank can be found in the Open Government supplemental table. The Open Government Portal also provides additional information about the seniority requirements for promotion.
| Rank | Year | Promotable Members | Promoted |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 2018 | 35,630 | 5,462 |
| All | 2019 | 34,664 | 5,910 |
| All | 2020 | 34,674 | 5,560 |
| All | 2021 | 35,091 | 5,121 |
| All | 2022 | 34,508 | 5,187 |
| Junior Non-Commissioned Members | 2018 | 19,727 | 3,160 |
| Junior Non-Commissioned Members | 2019 | 19,116 | 3,537 |
| Junior Non-Commissioned Members | 2020 | 19,217 | 3,285 |
| Junior Non-Commissioned Members | 2021 | 19,337 | 3,069 |
| Junior Non-Commissioned Members | 2022 | 19,003 | 2,935 |
| Junior Officers | 2018 | 4,307 | 510 |
| Junior Officers | 2019 | 4,231 | 543 |
| Junior Officers | 2020 | 4,205 | 509 |
| Junior Officers | 2021 | 4,104 | 531 |
| Junior Officers | 2022 | 4,053 | 497 |
| Senior Non-Commissioned Members | 2018 | 8,037 | 1,459 |
| Senior Non-Commissioned Members | 2019 | 7,862 | 1,480 |
| Senior Non-Commissioned Members | 2020 | 7,761 | 1,455 |
| Senior Non-Commissioned Members | 2021 | 8,104 | 1,202 |
| Senior Non-Commissioned Members | 2022 | 7,828 | 1,415 |
| Senior Officers | 2018 | 3,559 | 333 |
| Senior Officers | 2019 | 3,455 | 350 |
| Senior Officers | 2020 | 3,491 | 311 |
| Senior Officers | 2021 | 3,546 | 319 |
| Senior Officers | 2022 | 3,624 | 340 |
Data Sources: Open Government Portal - Canadian Armed Forces Reg Officer Promotions by Rank (Last Updated: 2022)
Recognition
When employees feel valued at work, they are more engaged, productive and likely to stay. Recognition in the Defence team includes formal awards for achievement (such as CAF honours, medals, and awards and public service awards and recognition), as well as informal acknowledgement of an employee or members;s successes to that person, their peers, or to leadership.
Recognizing the achievements and efforts of the Defence Team reinforces positive behaviours and attitudes that contribute to a more inclusive workplace culture.
Sentiment towards recognition
These metrics are from the Public Service Employee Survey (PSES), which is sent to DND public service employees and the Your Say Matters (YSM) survey, which is sent to both CAF members and DND public service employees.
Defence Team
When I do a good job, I receive the recognition I deserve:
| category | subcategory | Year | % Agree | % Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
| Gender | All Men | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
| Gender | All Women | 2022 | 63% | 37% |
| Gender | DND public service employees Men | 2022 | 63% | 37% |
| Gender | DND public service employees Women | 2022 | 66% | 34% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Men | 2022 | 65% | 35% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Women | 2022 | 62% | 38% |
| Gender | Regular Force Men | 2022 | 58% | 42% |
| Gender | Regular Force Women | 2022 | 59% | 41% |
| Component | DND public service employees | 2022 | 64% | 36% |
| Component | Primary Reserve | 2022 | 63% | 37% |
| Component | Regular Force | 2022 | 57% | 43% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 54% | 46% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Officer | 2022 | 65% | 35% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 61% | 39% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Officer | 2022 | 65% | 35% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 65% | 35% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Officer | 2022 | 68% | 32% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 52% | 48% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Officer | 2022 | 74% | 26% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 51% | 49% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Officer | 2022 | 63% | 37% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 66% | 34% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Officer | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
I agree that outcomes (e.g. training opportunities, awards, and recognition) are fairly distributed, reflecting what members/employees have contributed:
| category | subcategory | Year | % Agree | % Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall | 2022 | 45% | 55% |
| Gender | All Men | 2022 | 45% | 55% |
| Gender | All Women | 2022 | 48% | 52% |
| Gender | DND public service employees Men | 2022 | 50% | 50% |
| Gender | DND public service employees Women | 2022 | 46% | 54% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Men | 2022 | 55% | 46% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Women | 2022 | 55% | 45% |
| Gender | Regular Force Men | 2022 | 40% | 60% |
| Gender | Regular Force Women | 2022 | 47% | 54% |
| Component | DND public service employees | 2022 | 48% | 52% |
| Component | Primary Reserve | 2022 | 53% | 47% |
| Component | Regular Force | 2022 | 41% | 59% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 35% | 65% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Officer | 2022 | 48% | 52% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 51% | 49% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Officer | 2022 | 66% | 35% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 51% | 49% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Officer | 2022 | 51% | 49% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 47% | 53% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Officer | 2022 | 75% | 25% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 30% | 70% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Officer | 2022 | 47% | 53% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 53% | 47% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Officer | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
I agree that the CAF/DND expects one thing of its employees, but it rewards another:
| Category | Subcategory | Year | % Agree | % Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall | 2022 | 65% | 35% |
| Gender | All Men | 2022 | 65% | 35% |
| Gender | All Women | 2022 | 62% | 38% |
| Gender | DND public service employees Men | 2022 | 58% | 43% |
| Gender | DND public service employees Women | 2022 | 57% | 43% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Men | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Women | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
| Gender | Regular Force Men | 2022 | 69% | 31% |
| Gender | Regular Force Women | 2022 | 68% | 32% |
| Component | DND public service employees | 2022 | 58% | 42% |
| Component | Primary Reserve | 2022 | 61% | 39% |
| Component | Regular Force | 2022 | 69% | 31% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 73% | 27% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Officer | 2022 | 69% | 31% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 58% | 42% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Officer | 2022 | 56% | 44% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 67% | 33% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Officer | 2022 | 68% | 32% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 55% | 45% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Officer | 2022 | 48% | 52% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 75% | 25% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Officer | 2022 | 70% | 31% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 59% | 41% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Officer | 2022 | 61% | 39% |
Data Sources: Your Say Matters: Defence Team Well-Being Survey (2022)
DND public service employees
I receive meaningful recognition for work well done:
| category | subcategory | Year | % Agree | % Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall | 2020 | 63% | 37% |
| Overall | Overall | 2022 | 62% | 38% |
| Age | 24 years and under | 2020 | 81% | 19% |
| Age | 24 years and under | 2022 | 74% | 26% |
| Age | 25-29 years | 2020 | 76% | 24% |
| Age | 25-29 years | 2022 | 69% | 31% |
| Age | 30-34 years | 2020 | 71% | 29% |
| Age | 30-34 years | 2022 | 63% | 37% |
| Age | 35-39 years | 2020 | 63% | 37% |
| Age | 35-39 years | 2022 | 64% | 36% |
| Age | 40-44 years | 2020 | 62% | 38% |
| Age | 40-44 years | 2022 | 62% | 38% |
| Age | 45-49 years | 2020 | 61% | 39% |
| Age | 45-49 years | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
| Age | 50-54 years | 2020 | 61% | 39% |
| Age | 50-54 years | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
| Age | 55-59 years | 2020 | 60% | 40% |
| Age | 55-59 years | 2022 | 57% | 43% |
| Age | 60 years and older | 2020 | 65% | 35% |
| Age | 60 years and older | 2022 | 63% | 37% |
| Disability | Persons with a disability (Total) | 2020 | 55% | 45% |
| Disability | Persons with a disability (Total) | 2022 | 53% | 47% |
| Disability | Persons without a disability | 2020 | 64% | 36% |
| Disability | Persons without a disability | 2022 | 64% | 36% |
| First official language | English | 2020 | 63% | 37% |
| First official language | English | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
| First official language | French | 2020 | 65% | 35% |
| First official language | French | 2022 | 65% | 35% |
| Gender | Another gender | 2020 | 43% | 57% |
| Gender | Another gender | 2022 | 64% | 36% |
| Gender | Man | 2020 | 61% | 39% |
| Gender | Man | 2022 | 59% | 41% |
| Gender | Woman | 2020 | 67% | 33% |
| Gender | Woman | 2022 | 67% | 33% |
| Indigenous | Indigenous people | 2020 | 55% | 45% |
| Indigenous | Indigenous people | 2022 | 58% | 42% |
| Indigenous | Non-Indigenous people | 2020 | 64% | 36% |
| Indigenous | Non-Indigenous people | 2022 | 62% | 38% |
| Province/territory of work | Alberta | 2020 | 58% | 42% |
| Province/territory of work | Alberta | 2022 | 51% | 49% |
| Province/territory of work | British Columbia | 2020 | 59% | 41% |
| Province/territory of work | British Columbia | 2022 | 54% | 46% |
| Province/territory of work | Manitoba | 2020 | 55% | 45% |
| Province/territory of work | Manitoba | 2022 | 59% | 41% |
| Province/territory of work | National Capital Region | 2020 | 71% | 29% |
| Province/territory of work | National Capital Region | 2022 | 69% | 31% |
| Province/territory of work | New Brunswick | 2020 | 55% | 45% |
| Province/territory of work | New Brunswick | 2022 | 53% | 47% |
| Province/territory of work | Newfoundland and Labrador | 2020 | 71% | 29% |
| Province/territory of work | Newfoundland and Labrador | 2022 | 68% | 32% |
| Province/territory of work | Northwest Territories | 2020 | 47% | 53% |
| Province/territory of work | Northwest Territories | 2022 | 81% | 19% |
| Province/territory of work | Nova Scotia | 2020 | 59% | 41% |
| Province/territory of work | Nova Scotia | 2022 | 53% | 47% |
| Province/territory of work | Ontario (excluding National Capital Region) | 2020 | 60% | 40% |
| Province/territory of work | Ontario (excluding National Capital Region) | 2022 | 58% | 42% |
| Province/territory of work | Outside of Canada | 2020 | 73% | 27% |
| Province/territory of work | Outside of Canada | 2022 | 75% | 25% |
| Province/territory of work | Quebec (excluding National Capital Region) | 2020 | 59% | 41% |
| Province/territory of work | Quebec (excluding National Capital Region) | 2022 | 61% | 39% |
| Province/territory of work | Saskatchewan | 2020 | 57% | 43% |
| Province/territory of work | Saskatchewan | 2022 | 50% | 50% |
| Racialized group | Non-racialized, non-Indigenous people population | 2022 | 62% | 38% |
| Racialized group | Racialized, non-Indigenous people population | 2022 | 68% | 32% |
| Sexual orientation | Does not identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ | 2022 | 62% | 38% |
| Sexual orientation | Identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+ | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
Data Sources: Public Service Employee Survey (2020-2022)
Data sources
For details on the methodology of data analysis, including descriptions of each data source, please visit the List of data sources page.