Abstract: Although the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) offers and promotes various options to retain members choosing to voluntarily release (i.e., like making adjustments to their roles or exploring alternative career options), not everyone contemplating release is interested in these options. Using data from the 2022 Your Say Matters: Defence Team Well-Being Survey, this study explored why some Regular Force members intending to leave the CAF are open to discussing options for staying while others are not. Members intending to leave but willing to discuss staying reported the highest levels of stress and work overload, experienced the highest levels of conflict between their work and personal lives, and reported the lowest levels of satisfaction with aspects of postings. Leavers willing to discuss retention options also derived more meaning from their work and were more engaged and committed to the CAF than were other members intending to leave the CAF. Members open to discussing options to remain in the CAF may see retention options as solutions to their work-related issues. Retaining these employees would be advantageous for the CAF because of their strong engagement and commitment.