Air Force Climate Survey: how do you really feel? Air Force Climate Survey offers chance to 'speak today, shape tomorrow - Airman Consumer

Airman, Oct, 2003 by Richard Salomon

If you want to help shape the future Air Force, an effective and proven "chisel" will soon be placed in your hands.

The 2003 Air Force Climate Survey launches this month. And like a stethoscope that yields critical information to a doctor, this survey produces precious data to senior leaders so they can gauge the Air Force's overall organizational health.

"This is a great opportunity for you to provide feedback about how well your leadership and organizations are functioning," said Gen. John Jumper, Air Force chief of staff. "Sustaining the world's pre-eminent air and space force requires excellence in the work environment. This survey will provide valuable information to all Air Force leaders to achieve that goal."

More than 65 percent of active duty airmen and civilians took part in the 2002 survey, compared to 36 percent in 1999.

But translating those coveted pearls of information into action is what it's all about. And like other leaders, Lt. Col. David Sutton, 7th Space Warning Squadron commander, Beale Air Force Base, Calif., looked at his unit's feedback as a blueprint for improvement.

"This is a great resource," Sutton said. "It's invaluable anytime an organization can get a candid assessment of how it's doing from the people who work there. I make sure I take the time to go through the numbers and to read all the comments to see where we can improve."

Air Force leaders can compare their units' answers against past results, and against other units with similar missions. Although the colonel's squadron fared well in most categories, he did see room for improvement in one area: recognition.

"We do our share of quarterly and annual awards, but perhaps we needed to put extra effort into this area," he said.

As a result, his squadron started the Booster Club Recognition Program, where peers can recommend a star performer each month. The winner, named Beale Bandit's Star Performer of the Month, receives coupons for the squadron's snack bar. In addition, the colonel awards ABCD cards (Awesome, Bravo, Congrats and Decent) to top performers. A different card is issued each week, When someone collects all four, they win a gift certificate.

"The response has been very positive so far," Sutton added, "but we want to continue to improve in this area and seek creative ways to recognize our folks."

Positive changes made

Past surveys have also helped to create positive change. In response to shortcomings identified in the 1999 survey, Air Force Materiel Command created organizational health centers to help unit commanders develop positive unit changes.

Previous surveys included only active duty officers, enlisted members and appropriated fund civilians. For the first time, however, this year's survey will include the Air Force Reserve Command. Air National Guard, non-appropriated fund civilians, plus students in a temporary duty status for less than 90 days.

By almost doubling the audience for the 2003 survey, the survey team hopes this tool will serve as a userfriendly avenue for all members to voice their concerns.

"Our goal is to get honest feedback from the Air Force's most precious resource--its people," said Lori Marcum, the survey's team leader at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. "Our senior leaders expect direct and candid responses, so that is why we have made anonymity our top priority."

In fact, the survey team has included the most advanced information-masking software available. Multiple levels of identity protection are built in so people can feel comfortable providing honest, straightforward answers.

The survey will cover important factors that measure the quality of the day-to-day work experience: job, resources, core values, leadership, supervision, training and development, teamwork, participation and involvement, recognition, unit flexibility, general satisfaction, unit performance outcomes and job enhancement.

The survey's importance hinges on maximum participation. The more people who participate, the better the results. By investing 30 to 45 minutes, everyone can help create positive change.

The survey, which has been offered every two years since 1997, runs through Nov. 23 and can be found online at https://afclimatesurvey.af.mil anytime during the designated period.

After the Air Force chief of staff is briefed, the survey's results will be released to unit leaders sometime in February or March.

"Our goal is to make things better for our people and our organizations," Jumper said. "I'm counting on each of you to do your part by responding to this survey."

Survey' breakdown for 2003

Inputs:

* The job Is your job motivating, important, interesting and challenging?

* Resources Is your unit's resources (time, people and equipment) managed effectively to accomplish the mission?

* Core values To what extent are Air Force core values understood and demonstrated by unit members? The core values are "integrity first," "service before self" and "excellence in all we do."

Processes:

* Supervision How skilled is your supervisor at planning, organizing, leading and providing feedback?