F
OR
OFFICIAL USE ONLY – DRAFT, Pre-decisional
DoD Comprehensive Review Working Group (CRWG)
on the Impact of Repealing the
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Policy
2010 Department of Defense
Active Component/Reserve Component
Service Member Spouse Survey
(Including Coast Guard)
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons should respond to a collection of information unless it displays an appropriate license number (for example, an OMB control number for a collection from the public, or a Report Control Symbol for a collection from DoD and USCG/DHS personnel or beneficiaries). The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 20 minutes per survey, including the time to review instructions and complete and review the information collection. If you have comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxx
Dear Military Spouse:
You and about 150,000 other spouses of active duty and reserve component military personnel have been selected at random to participate in an important confidential survey that will help shape the future of our military.
As you know, in his State of the Union address this year, President Obama called upon the Congress to repeal the law commonly known as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Following that, I directed the Department of Defense to consider how to best implement a repeal of this law should that occur. This survey is part of that effort. Your responses to this survey will help us assess the impact of a change in the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law and policy on family readiness and recruiting and retention.
Your voices are important and we need you to participate. The survey is confidential and will enable you to be straightforward and candid in your responses.
Thanks for your time and for your great service to our Nation.
Robert Gates
Secretary of Defense
Instructions to Complete the Survey
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WHAT IS THIS SURVEY?
The
2010 DoD Comprehensive Review Survey of Service Member Spouses
collects information about community life and the potential impact of
a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell on family readiness.
Your inputs will be taken into consideration by the Department in our
review of this important topic.
WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE?
This is your chance to be heard. The military leadership will use the survey results to guide planning and policy development.
WILL I BE IDENTIFIED?
You were randomly selected to participate in this survey and your responses to the survey will not be tracked back to you. Only the civilian contractor collecting and analyzing the survey information for the Department of Defense will have access to completed survey questionnaires. Only group statistics will be reported. The information that you provide will be kept confidential and is protected under current laws and regulations, including the Privacy Act of 1974.
CERTIFICATE OF CONFIDENTIALITY: We will do everything we can to keep others from learning about your participation in this study. To further help us protect your privacy, we have obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). With this certificate, we cannot be forced (for example by court order or subpoena) to disclose information that may identify you in any federal, state, local, civil, criminal, legislative, administrative, or other proceeding.
A Certificate of Confidentiality does not prevent you from voluntarily releasing information about yourself or your involvement in this survey. Westat, however, will not disclose information to anyone that would identify you as a participant in this study unless you provide consent for us to release that information. If you provide consent for someone to receive your research information, Westat may not use the Certificate of Confidentiality to withhold this information. Also, if we were to find out that you are planning to harm yourself or someone else, we would need to report the threat to the authorities.
WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
If you have questions or need assistance, Please call Westat, our survey contractor, toll-free 1-888-491-2083 or send an email to: [email protected]. Callers outside of the United States and Canada can call collect (US Country Code) + (301) 212-5216.
If you have questions about the legitimacy of this survey as an approved DoD survey, please contact [email protected].
About You
What is your marital status?
Married
Separated
Divorced Go to question 44 on page XX
Widowed Go to question 44 on page XX
How many years have you been married? (To indicate less than 1 year, enter “0”.)
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Years |
In which branch of the Armed Forces is your spouse currently serving?
Army, Active Duty
Army National Guard, Army Reserve
Navy, Active Duty
Navy Reserve
Air Force, Active Duty
Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve
Marine Corps, Active Duty
Marine Corps Reserve
Coast Guard, Active Duty
Coast Guard Reserve
Are you currently serving, or have you ever served, in the military?
Yes, currently Go to question 44 on page XX
Yes, previously but not now
No
Is your spouse currently deployed?
Yes
No
How many times has your spouse been deployed since September 11, 2001?
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Number of times deployed |
Do you have any family members, friends or acquaintances, including coworkers, whom you believe to be gay or lesbian?
Yes, one
Yes, more than one
No
The President has called for and Congress is considering the repeal of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” law. This law generally requires that a Service member shall be separated if the member is found to have engaged in homosexual conduct. The Department of Defense is now considering how it would implement changes in the law that would affect all five branches of the military, should such changes occur. A possible change would allow gay and lesbian Service members to serve in the military without risk of separation because of their sexual orientation. The next set of questions is designed to give us information to help us plan in the event the law and policy change.
Has your spouse ever worked on a daily basis with an individual he or she believed to be a homosexual Service member?
Yes
No Go to question 11
Don’t know Go to question 11
How well did you know that individual? (If more than one individual, please answer thinking about the Service member with whom your spouse worked most recently.)
Very well
Well
Somewhat well
Not well at all
Compared with other Service members in the community, how much did that Service member participate in military social activities?
More than most other Service members in the community
Less than most other Service members in the community
About the same as most other Service members
Don’t know
If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, the military will want to prepare and assist spouses in understanding the new policy. How would you like the military to provide you with information on the new policy? Mark all that apply.
No special activities or communications would be necessary
Distribute printed information to spouses about repeal
Provide information about the repeal on military Web sites
Have interactive chats available on line to answer questions from Service member spouses
Conduct information sessions on bases and installations about repeal
Provide information through military chaplains trained to work with spouses and family members on repeal
Provide information through other military counselors trained to work with spouses and family members on repeal
Provide information through family readiness group/work-life program leaders trained to work with spouses and family members on repeal
Offer courses to spouses on how to discuss repeal within their families
Other
If you selected “Other,” please specify another way you would prefer to receive the information:
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Retention and Referrals
Overall, how do you feel about your spouse’s current military service?
Very positive
Positive
An equal mix of positive and negative feelings
Negative
Very negative
Never thought about it
Which one of the following statements best describes your spouse’s current military career intentions?
Definitely stay in until retirement
Probably stay in until retirement
Definitely stay in beyond present obligation, but not necessarily until retirement
Probably stay in beyond present obligation, but not necessarily until retirement
Definitely leave upon completion of present obligation
Probably leave upon completion of present obligation
Have met retirement eligibility but will continue to serve
Don’t know
Which of the following best describes your preference for your spouse’s military career intentions?
Remain in the military until retirement
Remain in the military beyond present obligation, but not necessarily until retirement
Leave upon completion of his or her present obligation
I do not have a strong preference
What are the most important factors you and your spouse consider when making decisions about his or her future in the military? Please mark up to 3 factors.
Spouse’s current pay and benefits
Your job status
Education benefits (for you, your spouse, and/or your children)
Spouse’s retirement benefits
Spouse’s years completed toward retirement
Current economic situation and civilian job availability
Family separations and stability
Medical care
Childcare options
Deployment-related considerations
Spouse’s ability to serve and defend the country
Spouse’s job satisfaction
Our satisfaction with military life
Our children’s well-being
Living on-base
The ability to live in a close knit military community
Other Specify:___________________________________________________________
How important a factor would a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell be to you in making decisions about your spouse’s future in the military?
Very important
Important
Neither important nor unimportant
Unimportant
Very unimportant
Don’t Know
Would a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect your preference for your spouse’s plans for his or her future in the military?
Yes, I would want my spouse to stay longer
Yes, I would want my spouse to leave earlier
No, it would have no effect on my preference for my spouse’s plans for military service in the future
Don’t Know
Have you ever recommended to a family member or close friend that he or she pursue service in the military?
Yes
No
Would a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell affect your willingness to recommend military service to a family member or close friend?
Yes, I would be more likely to recommend military service to a family member or close friend
Yes, I would be less likely to recommend military service to a family member or close friend
No, it would not affect my willingness to recommend military service to a family member or close friend.
Don’t Know
Military Life
What is your preference on where to live?
In on-base housing
In military housing off-base
In civilian housing
Where do you currently live?
In on-base housing
In military housing off-base
In civilian housing
Assuming you had a choice on where to live, what are the most important factors you would consider? Please mark up to 3 factors.
Cost of housing
Housing condition
Amount of space
Quality of schools in the area
Safety of the community
Sense of the community in the neighborhood
Presence of children in the neighborhood
Commuting time to your job
Proximity to spouse’s job
Neighbors that I know and trust
The values of the community
Presence of local businesses
Easy access to the exchange, commissary, and MWR facilities
Other Specify:___________________________________________________________
Assuming you had a choice on where to live, how important would a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell be to you in considering where to live?
Very important
Important
Neither important nor unimportant
Unimportant
Very unimportant
Don’t know
Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you live in on-base housing. If a gay or lesbian Service member lived in your neighborhood with their partner, would you stay on-base or would you try to move out?
I would stay on-base
I would try to move out
Don’t Know
Not applicable, I would not live on-base Go to question 26
While living on-base, which of the following would you do?
I would make a special effort to get to know the gay or lesbian Service member and partner
I would get to know them like any other neighbor
I would generally avoid them when I could
I would do nothing
I would do something else
Don’t Know
If you marked “I would do something else,” please specify:
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In the last 12 months, about how many informal military social events, such as picnics, gatherings and holiday parties, have you attended?
All or nearly all of these events
Many of these events
Some of these events
Very few of these events
None of these events
Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. Would the attendance of a gay or lesbian Service member with his or her partner affect how often you attend these types of military social events?
Yes, I would attend these types of military social events more often
Yes, I would attend these types of military social events less often
No, it would not affect my attendance at these types of military social events
Don’t Know
During your spouse’s most recent deployment since September 11, 2001, how many deployment-support gatherings did you attend?
All or nearly all of these gatherings
Many of these gatherings
Some of these gatherings
Very few of these gatherings
None of these gatherings
Does not apply – my spouse has not been deployed since September 11, 2001
Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and your spouse is deployed. Would the presence of a partner of a gay or lesbian Service member affect how often you attend deployment-support activities?
Yes, I would attend deployment-support activities more often
Yes, I would attend deployment-support activities less often
No, it would not affect my attendance at deployment-support activities
Don’t know
If you had concerns about the impact of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, to whom would you likely turn? Mark all that apply.
Would not need to talk to someone
My spouse
A family member
A friend outside of your family
A neighbor
Key Spouse/Senior Spouse
Airmen and Family Readiness Center
Military Family Life Consultants (MFLC)
Other military spouses
Family Readiness Group
Work-Life Program
Ombudsman/Ombuds Offices
Support services on the base or installation
Support services in the civilian community
A military chaplain
Community religious leaders
Someone else
If you marked “Someone else,” please specify:
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Family Readiness
Family Readiness is defined as how prepared military families are to handle the challenges of military life. Each Service has individual programs to support family readiness – for example, financial, education, housing, and health programs, programs for your child, community programs, deployment preparedness programs, and work-life/employee assistance programs.
How would you rate your overall family readiness to handle the challenges of military life?
Very ready
Ready
About an equal mix of feeling ready and unready
Unready
Very unready
Not sure
Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. Would repeal affect your family readiness?
Yes, it would improve my family readiness
Yes, it would reduce my family readiness
No, it would have no effect on my family readiness
Don’t know
What family readiness programs would you turn to for assistance in sustaining family readiness?
Military One Source
Health Facilities
Deployment Support Programs
On-base Chapels
Family Support Programs
Work-Life/Employee Assistance Programs
Other
If you selected “Other,” please specify what else you would do to sustain family readiness:
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How important are military family programs in supporting your overall family readiness?
Very important
Important
Neither important nor unimportant
Unimportant
Very unimportant
Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed. If the partner of a gay or lesbian Service member participated in a family support program, would it affect your participation?
Yes, I would participate in that family support program more often
Yes, I would participate in that family support program less often
No, it would not affect my participation in that family support program
Don’t Know
Please tell us if you have any other thoughts or comments about how a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell would affect your family readiness.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
More about You
What is the highest degree or level of school you have completed?
12 years or less of school, but no high school diploma, certificate, or GED
High school diploma or GED
Some college credit, but no degree
Associate’s degree (e.g., AA, AS)
Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA, AB, BS)
Master’s, professional, or doctorate degree (e.g., MA, MS, MD, JD, DVM, DDS, PhD)
What age were you on your last birthday?
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Years old |
Are you male or female?
Male
Female
Do you or your spouse have any children living at home either part-time or full-time?
Yes
No Skip to Q42
How many children do you or your spouse have, living at home either part time or full time, in each age group? Please enter a number for each age group. To indicate none, enter “0.”
No. of Children
a. |
5 years old or younger? |
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b. |
6–12 years old? |
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c. |
13–17 years old? |
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d. |
18 years old or older? |
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Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin?
Yes
No
What is your race? Please select one or more.
White
Black or African-American
Asian
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
American Indian or Alaska Native
As the last question in the survey, we’d like you to tell us about any other thoughts or opinions you have – positive, negative, or neutral – about the implications on family readiness and support or other aspects of military life if the government decides to repeal the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law and policy.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your participation in this important survey. |
File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
File Created | 2021-02-02 |