I__. - International Military Testing Association

easons, followed by social reasons were a's0 common responses.
Older persons were more likely to report patriotic reasons for
interest in the reserves, while pragmatic reasons were more
common among zhe young. A lack of interest, family, school and
work responsibilities, and age were the most common reasons
provided by those not interested in joining the reserves.
SUMMARY
In summary, the reserves are still very dependent on young
Canadians to fill its ranks. While there are benefits in
recruiting from this sub-group of the population, there are
also considerable drawbacks. The historical exclusion of
students from mobilization, high attrition rates, and the
resulting continual training requirements are examples. With
little doubt, attrition rates will continue to remain high
among the reserves. Principally, the factors that draw
reservists out of the reserves are related to their age and
stage of life. This suggests that attrition rates may be
improved by attracting a different type of individual to the
reserves, such as older persons, ex-regular force members or
the civilian employed. Further efforts will be made to explore
attitudes toward the reserves, and the propensity to join,
across sub-groups of the population currently under-represented
in the reserves, as well as factors which may currently limit
or restrict participation. Reserve manpower and related manning
issues should be reviewed in light of the new policy role for
the reserves.
REFERENCES
Bossenmaier, G. (1987). Potential Manpower Resources For
Mobilization Part 1 (ORAE Project Report No. PR434).
Ottawa, 0ntario:Directorate of Manpower Analysis.
Goodfellow, T.H. (1976). Reserve Force Survey (ORAE Project
Report No. PR62). Ottawa, Ontario: Directorate of Social
and Economic Analysis.
Popoff, T. and Truscott, S. (1987). A Sociological Study of
the Reserves: Phase Two Trends and Implications for the
Future (ORAE Project Report No. PR440). Ottawa, Ontario:
Directorate of Social and Economic Analysis.
Sinaiko, W. H. (1985). Part-Time Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen,
Reserve Force Manpower in Australia, Canada, New Zealand,
the U. K. and the U.S. (Technical Panel 3 Report (UTP-3)).
Washington, DC: The * Technical Cooperation Program,
Subgroup U.
Truscott, S. (1987). A Socioloqical Study of the Reserves:
Phase Two Summary of Research Findinqs (DSEA Staff Note
No. 4/88). Ottawa, Ontario: Directorate of Social and
Economic Analysis.
5