§ Mr. WeirTo 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:
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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.