Experiences of Soldiers in Alaska Option 20 Survey

OMB Control Number: 0702-ALSK

OMB Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

Option 20 Items

Privacy Act Statement

AUTHORITY: 10 U.S. Code Section 3013, Secretary of the Army; 10 U.S. Code Section 2358, Research and Development Projects

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE: To facilitate scientific assessments of personnel and training dimensions essential to the recruitment, selection, assignment, evaluation, and training of military personnel; and to inform Army policies that may enhance the Soldier lifecycle, human capital management, and the readiness effectiveness of the Army. See the System of Record Notice A0602 AHRC-ARI.

ROUTINE USES: The routine use is for research and reporting purposes and not for making determinations about specific individuals. In addition to the disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act of 1974, these records or information contained therein may be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3).

DISCLOSURE: Providing information on this survey is voluntary. There is no penalty for not responding to any question.

Agency Disclosure Notice

The public reporting burden for this collection of information, 0702-ALSK, is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or burden reduction suggestions to the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, at [email protected]. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

Identifying Soldiers in Alaska

What is your current duty station?

[Fort Richardson or Fort Wainwright]

(BRANCH IF Fort Richardson, AK or Fort Wainwright, AK selected):

When you enlisted did you choose Alaska as your first duty station (i.e., chose Option 20)? [YES/NO]

BRANCH IF “Yes” to Option 20 question:

Please select which of the following influenced your decision to pick Alaska (select all that apply):

• I wanted to go Airborne

• I wanted to know where I was going

• Desire for adventure

• Extra duty pay

• To move far away from home

• I like the cold

• Recreational opportunities (e.g., snowboarding, hunting)

• Recruiter recommendation

• Friend or family recommendation

• The Mission in the Artic

• Other – Please specify [please do not include PII in response]

How much do you agree with the following statements?	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
I feel connected to the Mission of my unit.
I gain useful MOS skills at my current duty station
I could successfully perform by job at any duty station
I receive the training and experience I want at my duty station
My current duty station is a good first duty station for new Soldiers
I find the all-day dark/light impacts my performance
I find the all-day dark/light impacts my happiness/well-being
I am satisfied with my pay
I think people drink more alcohol at my duty station compared to other duty stations.
The Mission 100 program connects Soldiers with a mental health professional. The program has been beneficial to Soldiers who need help.
My leadership cares about my mental health and well-being
I can do my hobbies at my duty station
I have been able to make new friends at my post
My Army issued clothing (e.g., gloves, boots) is well-designed to help me perform my job.
My Army issued clothing (e.g., gloves, boots) works for the weather at my duty station.
I needed to buy my own civilian clothing to help me perform my job.
My Army issued gear (e.g., weapons, tools) is well-designed to help me perform my job.
My Army issued gear (e.g., weapons, tools) works for the weather at my duty station.
I have the gear (e.g., weapons, tools) that’s required to successfully do my job.

How much do you agree with the following statements?	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree	Not applicable/ Don’t know
My first-level supervisor knows how to get the job done in a cold weather climate
My first-level supervisor knows how to get the job done in a hot weather climate
My higher-level NCOs know how to get the job done in a cold weather climate
My higher-level NCOs know how to get the job done in a hot weather climate
My leaders do everything they can to prevent CWIs (Cold Weather Injuries)
My leaders do everything they can to prevent heat injuries
Soldiers in my unit would feel comfortable reporting a possible CWI to our supervisor
Soldiers in my unit would feel comfortable reporting a possible heat injury to our supervisor

Please indicate how satisfied you are with each of the items below.	Not at all satisfied	Slightly satisfied	Moderately satisfied	Very satisfied	Extremely satisfied	Not applicable/ Don’t know
Quality of the DFAC food
Wait time for the DFAC
Amount of food you receive at the DFAC
Quality of your barracks
Quality of the maintenance services in the barracks
Quality of the medical treatment you have received on-post
Amount of time it takes for you to be seen for a medical issue
Activities available on post
Activities available off post
Availability of the BOSS activities
Physical fitness facilities
Employment opportunities for your spouse
Childcare availability
Availability of family support services and activities
Your PCS process
Your overall quality of life at your post

I was satisfied with my sponsor.

• Strongly disagree

• Disagree

• Neither agree nor disagree

• Agree

• Strongly agree

• Does Not Apply/I did not receive a sponsor

Since arriving to my post, my mental health has:

• Gotten much worse

• Gotten worse

• Stayed the same

• Gotten better

• Gotten much better

Since arriving to my post, my physical health has:

• Gotten much worse

• Gotten worse

• Stayed the same

• Gotten better

• Gotten much better

I feel isolated from others.

• Never

• Rarely

• Sometimes

• Very often

• Always

I feel lonely.

• Never

• Rarely

• Sometimes

• Very often

• Always

Since arriving at this duty station:

Have you wished you were dead or wished you could go to sleep and not wake up?

• Yes

• No

Since arriving at this duty station:

Have you actually had any thoughts of killing yourself?

• Yes

• No

IF the answer to either question is “yes”, ask the following questions.

Have you been thinking about how you might do this?

• Yes

• No

Have you had these thoughts and had some intention of acting on them?

• Yes

• No

Have you started to work out or worked out the details of how to kill yourself?

• Yes

• No

Do you intend to carry out this plan?

• Yes

• No

What makes you unlikely to reenlist?

• Better job opportunities outside the Army

• Bureaucracy

• Difficultly meeting physical requirements

• Family problems at home

• Homesickness

• Illness/medical condition

• Lack of motivation/boredom

• Not getting along with others

• Not getting desired military job

• Problems adjusting to Army life

• Problems with supervisors

• Racial discrimination

• Sexual harassment

• Sexual or gender discrimination

• Want to pursue education goals outside

• Want to spend more time with family

• Want to start a family

• Poor first duty station experience

• Lack of deployment opportunities

• Other please specify [please do not include PII in response] Text entry

Please provide any additional comments [please do not include PII in response] Text entry