The U.S. Army recently sent out the 2010 Survey of Army Families VI to a random selection of civilian Active Army spouses in order to assess the support provided to families and Soldiers during these past nine years of persistent conflict.
"This survey is your chance to tell the Army leadership what it's like during this difficult period with so many of our Soldiers deployed," Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, IMCOM commander told 75,000 civilian spouses of Active Soldiers in a letter introducing the 2010 Survey of Army Families VI.
Because this number represents just a small portion of the total number of spouses, it's extremely important to complete the survey, according to survey officials. Every four years, this valuable information gives the Army a grassroots view of how family's opinions and attitudes have changed, and provides an opportunity to evaluate the effects of programs on families.
The survey also tracks trends regarding the characteristics of Army families, identifies new and emerging family issues, and supplements other studies on Army families.
"Your voice is extremely important. As a spouse randomly selected to participate in this survey, you will be not only be speaking for yourself, you'll be representing many other Army spouses," Joseph Rayzor, FMWRC director of Marketing, said.
Army leadership will use the survey results to plan, formulate, and improve policies and programs which benefit Army families. For example, results from previous surveys of Army families have helped the Army design Family Readiness Groups and improve Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.
This year's focus is the impact deployments have on Army families.
"Multiple deployments during this time of persistent conflict may have changed the needs of our Soldiers and their family members. We must hear from our customers in order to make the best informed decisions for the Army, our Soldiers and their families," Rayzor said.
The Survey of Army families was institutionalized to meet DoD's requirement for military departments to perform family research and program evaluation, and an Army requirement (through a 1983 CSA White Paper) to conduct research on the role of Army families and the effect of Army life on families.
After receiving the letter about participation in the 2010 Survey of Army Families VI, spouses may complete the survey on the Internet or using a hard-copy version provided by mail.
To keep the survey as scientifically accurate as possible, only those selected during the random sampling will be able to participate in the survey.
Spouses not selected for the survey that wish to provide comments, suggestions or critiques of support programming are encouraged to use their spouse's chain of command, participate in the AFAP process, or speak to their local Family Support Group or Army Community Service directors to learn how to direct their comments to the appropriate agency.
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