DesertFox
05-25-2001, 11:31 PM
http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20010525/3352259s.htm
A rare Army study of 13,000 officers and family members reveals deep dissatisfaction with the service's culture, working conditions and leadership.
The survey results, to be released today, provide a candid look at how Army officers view issues ranging from promotions to the relevance of training. It portrays junior officers as alienated from senior commanders, overworked and frustrated by an unpredictable life that disrupts families.
For example, 73% of those surveyed said they were unable to achieve a proper balance between the Army and family life. Sixty-six percent said quality of life standards were unacceptable, and 69% said Army housing was inadequate.
The military has known of morale problems, but the survey underscored the depth of the disaffection.
Army leaders say they have taken the findings to heart by making sweeping changes to improve the service's quality of life, education and methods for training future leaders.
''The culture of the U.S. Army has got to be set right,'' says Lt. Gen. William Steele, commander of the Army's Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and the study's director. ''Because of the way this was set up, soldiers would communicate in an honest and candid way. All they ask in return is we take some action.''
Among the changes:
* The Army now grants four-day weekends on federal holidays to relieve stress from a hectic work pace.
* Soldiers whose children are high-school seniors can request transfer delays until their kids graduate. The Army also has limited the hours soldiers might work on weekends while at their home base.
* The Army will accede to officers' desires for more combat training.
* The Army is lengthening many assignments for young officers so they can learn necessary skills before being transferred to a new job.
The study, begun last June, used surveys, focus groups and one-on-one interviews with soldiers worldwide. It involved active duty soldiers and reservists from the rank of warrant officer to general. The Army conducts such studies only every 15 to 20 years.
The latest study was requested by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki, who has embarked on a long-term mission to transform the Army into a lighter and quicker force. One purpose of the study was to determine what qualities future leaders would need.
The survey is among the most extensive ever conducted by the military. It comes as all four service branches are struggling to retain talented officers who leave because of burdens on family and unpredictable assignments.
A rare Army study of 13,000 officers and family members reveals deep dissatisfaction with the service's culture, working conditions and leadership.
The survey results, to be released today, provide a candid look at how Army officers view issues ranging from promotions to the relevance of training. It portrays junior officers as alienated from senior commanders, overworked and frustrated by an unpredictable life that disrupts families.
For example, 73% of those surveyed said they were unable to achieve a proper balance between the Army and family life. Sixty-six percent said quality of life standards were unacceptable, and 69% said Army housing was inadequate.
The military has known of morale problems, but the survey underscored the depth of the disaffection.
Army leaders say they have taken the findings to heart by making sweeping changes to improve the service's quality of life, education and methods for training future leaders.
''The culture of the U.S. Army has got to be set right,'' says Lt. Gen. William Steele, commander of the Army's Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and the study's director. ''Because of the way this was set up, soldiers would communicate in an honest and candid way. All they ask in return is we take some action.''
Among the changes:
* The Army now grants four-day weekends on federal holidays to relieve stress from a hectic work pace.
* Soldiers whose children are high-school seniors can request transfer delays until their kids graduate. The Army also has limited the hours soldiers might work on weekends while at their home base.
* The Army will accede to officers' desires for more combat training.
* The Army is lengthening many assignments for young officers so they can learn necessary skills before being transferred to a new job.
The study, begun last June, used surveys, focus groups and one-on-one interviews with soldiers worldwide. It involved active duty soldiers and reservists from the rank of warrant officer to general. The Army conducts such studies only every 15 to 20 years.
The latest study was requested by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki, who has embarked on a long-term mission to transform the Army into a lighter and quicker force. One purpose of the study was to determine what qualities future leaders would need.
The survey is among the most extensive ever conducted by the military. It comes as all four service branches are struggling to retain talented officers who leave because of burdens on family and unpredictable assignments.