Leaked Canadian military report shows many new recruits are quickly leaving
The Canadian military has been facing a recruitment crisis that has been exacerbated by a leaked internal report obtained by CBC News. The report reveals that many new recruits are leaving the military in frustration due to delays in training and difficulty adjusting to military life. This comes at a time when the military is already facing a shortage of up to 14,000 qualified personnel.
The report highlights that the highest attrition rates within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are among its lowest ranks and newest members. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, 9.4% of newly enrolled members quit, compared to the average of 4.3% across all Forces. The major reasons for new members leaving include training delays and challenges in adjusting to military life.
Recruits are facing delays of up to 206 days for specialized trades training due to insufficient trainers, equipment, and training facilities. This has led to months of underemployment, which is significantly frustrating for new members. The inability to get trained and into the job they want has been a major factor in recruits leaving the military.
The Defence Department’s approach to the crisis has been criticized for being linear and one-step-at-a-time. Charlotte Duval-Lantoine, a defence researcher, emphasized the need to address the retention issue alongside recruiting. The morale of recruits can quickly wane when they are waiting for training, highlighting the importance of addressing the training bottleneck.
While efforts are being made to improve basic training and establish partnerships with community colleges and academic institutions for pre-qualification, the military is still struggling to retain experienced personnel. The defunding of the Retention Program Office, responsible for managing senior leaders’ tasks outlined in the retention strategy, has hindered progress in retaining members.
Exit interviews with departing members reveal challenges related to high operational tempo, lack of equipment, training, and leadership direction. There is a perception that leadership is prioritizing culture change over critical operational needs. The report also highlights the lack of effort to retain highly experienced members close to retirement.
Despite these challenges, the Naval Experience Program (NEP) has shown positive effects in reducing initial dissatisfaction among recruits. The initiative allows recruits to join the Royal Canadian Navy for a year on a trial basis, allowing some to transfer to another element after their initial experience.
In conclusion, the Canadian military is facing a complex recruitment and retention crisis that requires a multi-faceted approach to address. Efforts to retain experienced personnel and improve training processes are essential to ensure the long-term success of the Forces.
