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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average length of service by new recruits in each regiment since 1990; and if he will provide a breakdown of the results of exit interviews with personnel over the most recent period for which figures are available. [55168] Dr. Moonie: [holding answer 9 May 2002]: The average length of service on Outflow for trained Officers and soldiers since Financial Year 1990-1991 is detailed in the following table: Officers _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Financial Year Mean Length of Service on Outflow 1990-1991 12 Years 9 Months 1991-1992 10 Years 2 Months 1992-1993 15 Years 10 Months 1993-1994 13 Years 10 Months 1994-1995 13 Years 2 Months 1995-1996 11 Years 11 Months 1996-1997 12 Years 1 Month 1997-1998 13 Years 2 Months 1998-1999 13 Years 9 Months 1999-2000 14 Years 10 Months 2000-2001 14 Years 10 Months 2001-2002 15 Years 10 Months _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Soldiers _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Financial Year Mean Length of Service on Outflow 1990-1991 8 Years 8 Months 1991-1992 8 Years 11 Months 1992-1993 10 Years 9 Months 1993-1994 11 Years 10 Months 1994-1995 10 Years 9 Months 1995-1996 9 Years 3 Months 1996-1997 8 Years 10 Month 1997-1998 9 Years 9 Months 1998-1999 9 Years 9 Months 1999-2000 10 Years 2000-2001 9 Years 10 Months 2001-2002 9 Years 8 Months _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The above information is not restricted to new recruits as to do so would provide no meaningful information. New recruits would obviously have a shorter reckonable service than those that joined in 1990 as, by definition, they will have had less time to accumulate service. The information provided allows for a valid time series comparison to be made. To provide a breakdown of this information by Regiment could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Information gathered at exit interviews is recorded on the Continuous Attitude Survey, however, the Survey is anonymous so it is not possible to attribute information to any particular Regiment or individual. The last full leavers survey conducted covered the period July-December 1999; questionnaires are still being returned for the latest Survey so data has not yet been analysed. The main reasons for leaving were identified as follows: Lack of job satisfaction Amount of separation from spouse/partner Better civilian job opportunities outside Effect of Army lifestyle on marriage/relationship If stayed longer it would be difficult to start a new career Compassionate reasons.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

55168; 385 c378-9W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Army Staff Officers Termination of employment

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk