JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO –
"A Strong Community Depends on You" is the theme of the 2013 Air Force Needs Assessment Survey.
This important survey is sponsored by the Air Force Integrated Delivery System. Its goal is to make known the opinions and needs of the entire Air Force Community including active duty members, Reservists, Air National Guardsmen, their spouses and Air Force civilian employees.
"Everything we do depends on our people, the living engine of our Air Force," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley. "The entire Air Force leadership team is committed to doing all we can to support our Total Force Airmen and their families. We know that through your valuable input, the state of our Air Force will remain strong, ready and capable of delivering airpower, whenever and wherever the nation calls."
The survey, sponsored by the Air Force Integrated Delivery System, will be completely anonymous - neither the Air Force, the government, nor the contractor can link any aspect of community members' responses to personal identifiable information.
The results will be used by base leadership and the Air Force to target resources where they are most needed, to improve the delivery of services and to enhance the well-being of members. Past survey findings have resulted in providing additional services and programs to benefit both service members and families.
Active duty members, Reservists, Air National Guardsmen and appropriated-fund civilian employees will be invited to complete the survey via email invitations. Postcard invitations will be mailed to spouses inviting them to complete the survey also. Each invitation will include a link to the online survey.
"Our Air Force is ALL about people ... caring for Airmen and their families," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. "Please invest some time in sharing your thoughts and opinions on how we can do this better and make our Air Force community stronger."
"We need to make sure our programs are meeting the needs of Airmen and their families," added Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody. "This survey is one way we can learn how well we're doing that. It's every Airman's responsibility to provide some honest feedback to help."
Through the completion of the assessment, survey responses can directly influence family services and related support activities at local bases and throughout the Air Force.
Results from previous assessments have impacted the policies and programs that support both the Air Force and Reserve members and their families.
Some of these include increased support networks for families such as the Adopted Family Program, the INTRO program and Singles Network group; expanded financial counseling programs for members and their families; and job opportunities for spouses.
"The AF Needs Assessment Survey 2013 provides community members an opportunity to improve the Air Force Community," said Col. Jay M. Stone, deputy director for Air Force Psychological Health. "We hope those selected will do everything they can to respond to the survey as quickly as possible."