Department of the Army Civilians Global Assessment Tool

What is it'

One of the Army's top priorities is Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF), a program to help Soldiers, their family members and Department of the Army (DA) civilians be as strong mentally as they are physically. Part of the CSF program is the <a href="http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2009/12/08/"target="_blank">Global Assessment Tool</a> (GAT), an online, self-administered survey that measures one's strengths in four areas: emotional, social, family and spiritual.

Developed by subject matter experts from the U.S. Military and civilian universities, the GAT comprises a series of questions drawn from scientifically validated scales. The GAT is administered online via AKO and takes about 20-30 minutes to complete. After completion the GAT rapidly estimates an individual's fitness in the four dimensions of strength. Primarily designed as a self-assessment for the individual, the aggregate scores from the GAT help the Army determine which training is most effective in building strength in these important areas. (An individual's answers to the GAT are not accessible to others.)

What has the Army done'

Until recently the GAT was only available for Soldiers and family members to take, but now the GAT is available to DA civilians as well. The DAC (DA civilians) GAT provides immediate results that allow DA civilians to identify their personal strengths and weaknesses. DA civilians are able to immediately begin training that will help them enhance their performance and build resilience in the form of online comprehensive resilience modules that are tailored to the individual.

What efforts does the Army have planned for the future'

Scientists will continue to revise and improve both the GAT and the quality of feedback given to those who take it.

Why is this important to the Army'

The Army is committed to a prevention model for the entire Force, including our DA Civilians' resilience and coping skills. This model consists of lifelong learning that begins by providing individual assessment through the GAT. The GAT is in direct support of CSF, one of the Army's top strategic initiatives. This assessment and training enhances resilience and coping skills, enabling Soldiers, family members and now DA civilians to grow and thrive during this very demanding period of our Army.

Resources:

<a href="https://www.sft.army.mil/Civilian/" target="_blank">DA civilian GAT</a>

<a href="http://www.army.mil/csf" target="_blank"> Comprehensive Soldier Fitness</a>

<a href="http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2009/07/14/"target="_blank">STAND-TO! edition, July 14, 2009: Comprehensive Soldier Fitness</a>

<a href="http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2009/12/08/"target="_blank">STAND-TO! edition, Dec. 8, 2009: Global Assessment Tool</a>

<a href="http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2010/07/13/"target="_blank">STAND-TO! edition, July 13,2010: Comprehensive Resilience Modules</a>

Related article: <a href="http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/07/24/42685-army-opens-resilience-evaluation-to-da-civilians/index.html" target="_blank"> Army opens resilience evaluation to DA civilians</a>