IMCOM exit survey aids transition process

By Mitchell Lee, U.S. Army Installation Management CommandJuly 24, 2013

Graph of transitioning Soldiers
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – "Statistically we are looking at 16 percent of at risk Soldiers transitioning from the Army. The data that is collected shows that unemployment rates for veterans are down 0.3 percent," Lee said, "in May, national levels were at 7.5percent while Vet... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Career counselors help pave career path
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Army's feedback from transitioning Soldiers leverages counselors' job placement assistance. The U.S. Army Installation Management Command exit survey tool provides Army Career and Alumni Program managers with real post transition date and will be invaluable in the next wave of Soldiers moving back to civilian life.

"We need to measure the effectiveness of the transition services provided to Soldiers as they leave the Army," said Mitchell Lee, Integrations Synchronization Team (IS/T). "At the heart of it is a desire to provide the best possible transition experience because the Soldier deserves it.

All transitioning Soldiers are required to attend the multi-day Army Career & Alumni Program at each installation. Soldiers complete the survey and provide a completed copy before picking up installation clearance papers, according to Lee.

"They may leave the Army with a job, college acceptance letter, business identification number, or nothing at all," said Lee. "Having that information is the feedback we need to improve our process."

The survey asks a variety of questions such as: Do you have employment; are you going to college; and most importantly questions about an individual's transition experience. The Army has been collecting data since January according to Lee is reaching into the transition experience of other demographic populations, such as transitioning/retiring lieutenant colonels and colonels.

"We are constantly receiving positive and occasionally some negative feedback and it has been extremely beneficial to the command -- identifying some areas of weakness that need improvement and changes within the survey," said Lee.

Collecting information about the transitioning Soldiers helps identify those who are at risk of becoming part of the nation's unemployed. Lee described at risk Soldiers as those who are "between the ages of 18 to 24 segment, which carries a high percentage of our nation's unemployment."

Using an example of demographics from Jan. to May 2013 for transition, Lee explained that the unemployment averages among veterans is now lower than the national average.

"Statistically we are looking at 16 percent of at risk Soldiers transitioning from the Army. The data that is collected shows that unemployment rates for veterans are down 0.3 percent," Lee said, "in May, national levels were at 7.5percent while Veteran's unemployment hovered at 6.3 percent. The good news is that recent changes in ACAP and transition services are making a difference."