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Air Force Climate Survey yields insights

  • Published
  • By April Rowden
  • Air Force Manpower Agency Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  More than 90 percent of Airmen responding to a recent survey indicated that they are happy with their Air Force jobs and the performance of their organizations. These findings are according to a study that measures Airmen's attitudes toward their work environment and unit.

"I am extremely pleased to see that our Total Force military and civilian Airmen have great pride in the way their organizations are performing, both in theater and at home station," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff. "I think this shows that the Air Force is working hard to take care of its people while letting them take care of the mission."

Nearly a quarter of a million Airmen from across the Air Force components voiced their opinions in the Air Force Climate Survey, the largest online survey of Air Force personnel, from Oct. 1 to Dec. 14.

Later this month, links to a final report will be e-mailed to all unit commanders and leaders who had 10 or more respondents from their unit. The anonymity of those who participated will be protected.

"I expect leaders to take these results seriously and work to make improvements where the survey indicates we need some focus and expand on the successes where the responses are highest," said General Schwartz. "These are honest responses from our Airmen telling us what's working and what we can improve. It's important that we continue to actively engage them for their input on how to make our Air Force even better."

According to Col. Daniel Badger, commander of the Air Force Manpower Agency, "The survey revealed some surprising insights into the work environment of organizations within the Total Force. For instance, despite deployment demands, deployed and non-deployed Airmen have nearly equal levels of positive responses regarding recognition, resources, trust in leadership and job satisfaction. This may indicate an appreciation of the value of their accomplishments and wartime missions, both at home and in deployed areas of responsibility.

"We also found that both stressed and unstressed career fields have similar responses when questioned on the availability of resources to get their jobs done," he continued. "Specifically, the perception is that there are fewer people and less time to perform the mission."

Survey analysis also showed:

* Eighty-two percent of all survey respondents are generally satisfied with the Air Force, a two-point increase since the 2005 survey.

* While down slightly from 2005, Airmen indicated they generally have trust in their unit's senior leadership and direct supervisor.

* The 2008 survey showed that the strain on manpower and time continues to be a concern for the Total Force. The majority of home-station Airmen report an increase in levels of stress, workload and hours worked due to personnel being deployed.

* Despite the perceived increase in stress levels, workload and work hours, overall retention numbers remained steady with the 2005 survey.

* For regular Air Force, survey results point to increases in mid- and senior-grade officers and NCOs who plan on staying in the Air Force for another term. The intent to remain for another term decreased slightly for airman basic to staff sergeant and second lieutenants to captains.

* All ranks within the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve showed little to no decrease in their commitment to remain for another term.

Most importantly, according to the behavioral scientists at AFMA, among those who completed the survey, Airmen whose leaders used the 2005 survey results to make improvements within the organization tended to mark "slightly agree" or higher to questions about unit performance, satisfaction, unit flexibility and unit commitment.

The Air Force is already postured to address issues identified by the survey.

* Commanders are encouraged to brief their unit results to members within 30 days of receiving their final report, then create action plans to address areas of concern.

* Behavioral scientists at AFMA have developed a workbook for commanders and leaders that contain specific recommendations and lists of valuable resources. This workbook will be posted on the AF Portal as soon as links to the final reports are released.

* Community readiness consultants in each wing's Airman and Family Readiness Center are available to assist commanders and leaders in identifying issues impacting Airmen readiness and assist in developing a strategy for improvement.

The next Air Force Climate survey is scheduled for 2010. Those with access to the Air Force Portal may view the Total Force aggregate results of the 2008 survey in late March.

For more information on Air Force surveys, e-mail af.surveys@randolph.af.mil.