Climate Survey provides chance to be heard Published Oct. 10, 2008 By Holly L. Birchfield 78th ABW/PA Robins Air Force Base, Ga. -- The 2008 Air Force Climate Survey has opened the door for people to speak their minds and be heard. The online survey, which is available to military and civil service employees of all rank from Oct. 1- Nov. 28, is typically held every two years to measure Air Force workers' concerns about the work environment with the intent of improving it. Senior Master Sgt. Margarita Cain, point of contact for the 2008 Climate Survey, said people will receive an e-mail invitation to take the survey along with a letter from the Air Force chief of staff that explains the survey's purpose and importance. "The Climate Survey is a survey that provides a voice for all Airmen: officer, enlisted, and civilian," she said. "It provides the opportunity for Airmen to give feedback to senior leaders about what is working in their unit and what is not working in their unit." Sergeant Cain said the 15 to 20-minute survey that must be completed on a .mil computer addresses areas that are important to people's morale and espirit de corps. The survey touches on such things as people's trust in senior leadership, satisfaction on the job, how well people feel their unit is doing, and other related areas. Sergeant Cain said people's input in the survey is valuable. "Folks may sit in silence about something they're not satisfied with and they're afraid to voice their opinions," she said. "As leaders, we need that feedback so we can make changes that bring up morale." Chief Master Sgt. Roy Lapioli, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center and 78th Air Base Wing command chief who recently took the survey, said it's equally important for those in leadership roles to participate. "A lot of people assume when you become a senior leader that you no longer have a boss and you're no longer a follower, and that's simply not the case," he said. Chief Lapioli said feedback is essential for Air Force leaders to make the right decisions affecting the service's various operations. Jay Gettmann, an industrial engineer in the Manpower Office of the Directorate of Personnel's Manpower Studies Branch who was the POC for the survey a few years ago, said once senior leaders have their feedback in hand, they're expected to devise a plan to address any "deficiencies" within their organization or unit. Sergeant Cain said those results will be provided to the Air Force Manpower Agency, the central POC for the survey. Before leaders can get valuable feedback, Sergeant Cain said a certain percentage of people in different ranks in their units must participate. Sergeant Cain said despite people's fears of being identified in the survey, people remain anonymous. "In years past, folks have been asked to provide demographic information, and because of that, folks have felt it wasn't anonymous," she said. "That's just for analysis purposes only." Sergeant Cain said the only way people's identities are revealed is if they were to reveal themselves through their answers. Sergeant Cain said maximum participation in the survey will give Air Force leaders the best picture of the Air Force so they can make improvements. What to know The Air Force Climate Survey, themed "Speak Today, Shape Tomorrow," will be available for military members and civilian employees of all ranks from Oct. 1 - Nov. 28. An invite to take the survey will be e-mailed to individuals and will provide a link to the survey on the Air Force Portal.