Air Force leaders want you ... to speak your mind Published April 23, 2008 By Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Since 1988 when the Air Force began its biennial Community Assessment Survey, Air Force civilians haven't had much of a voice. With this year's survey, which begins April 28, it appears Air Force Materiel Command civilians will have a say in all future installments. The 2006 survey included AFMC civilians on a trial basis, said Niki Foor, chief of the Airman and Family Services Branch in the AFMC headquarters personnel directorate. For this year's survey, AFMC civilians again have been included in the overall Air Force population from which survey participants are selected. While civilians from no other major command will be surveyed, professional opinion researchers know that including only AFMC civilians is sufficient to attain valid data. The command's approximately 56,000 civilian employees comprise 40 percent of all Air Force civilians, significantly more than any other major command. "The best way for senior leaders to learn what's important to the welfare and quality of life of all our people is to ask them," said Ms. Foor, 'That's what they're doing with this survey." The Air Force-wide survey is intended to help local commanders and Air Force senior leaders focus attention and resources where they are most needed to enhance the well-being of Air Force communities. Respondents are randomly selected from active-duty and reserve Airmen; and from AFMC civilians, thanks to the advocacy of Ms. Foor, according to her colleagues. All active-duty spouses are encouraged to fill out a survey as well. Responses to the survey are completely anonymous and not aggregated below the installation level, Ms. Foor emphasized. The survey also is voluntary, but senior leaders are hoping for a high number of respondents. "The more people who share their views, the better the data is for decision-makers," Ms. Foor said. Results of previous community assessment surveys have been the genesis of base-level community action plans. They have led to initiatives such as marriage-support seminars for Air Force members and expanded reintegration programs for members returning from deployment. The survey will take about 25 to 30 minutes to complete online. Those randomly selected to participate will receive a notification letter on or about April 28 providing an Internet link to the Web-based survey. Air Force members and AFMC civilians will receive the letter in their official e-mail inbox, while spouses will receive a letter in the U.S. mail. All active-duty spouses are eligible to take the survey, and are encouraged to do so on the Web at: http://spouseAFCAsurvey.com/ and using access code SpouseAFCA. The 2008 survey varies only slightly in content from the 2003 and 2006 surveys in order to keep results comparable. Unlike previous surveys, however, questions regarding deployments have been included. Questions will cover four main factors of everyday life: personal adjustment, family adjustment, individual and family adaptation to the Air Force, and community well-being. A secretive-problems supplement also is included, which asks questions regarding illegal activities. "This survey continues to be a critical tool for senior leaders in determining the strengths and needs of Air Force communities and informing community-action planning," said Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, assistant vice chief of staff in an April 9 memo. "The importance of robust participation in this survey has never been higher." The survey will be accessible to respondents through June 30. Results will be reported in October. A Web site will be launched in December and contain results to provide usable data to commanders worldwide.