Command Climate Survey: Are the Soldiers voices really being heard?

2014-05-11T15:03:26-04:00

My unit recently just completed a climate survey. I heard many of the Soldiers state that, "It doesn't matter what i write, nothing will change." Aside from finding out about the EO and SHARP in the unit, I feel that the CC Survey is a great tool to get rid of toxic leaders. What are your thoughts? Have you seen change after a command climate survey was taken?

Response by MAJ Steve Sheridan made May 11 at 2014 3:08 PM

2014-05-11T15:08:50-04:00

In good Units - yes

In poor Units - no

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 11 at 2014 5:31 PM

2014-05-11T17:31:38-04:00

I have to do one within 30 days of taking command. I will let you know how it went. I aim to get issues resolved and not shelve them like I heard of units in the past. Most units will do their best to take care of problems.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 11 at 2014 5:35 PM

2014-05-11T17:35:28-04:00

You are in a better position to determine the answer than we are; at least as it applies to your own unit.

I have seen them result in change (positive change that is) but this can only happen with a strong leadership team in place that is bold enough to confront issues (or perceived issues) head on. Good Luck!

Response by LTC Stewart Stephenson made May 12 at 2014 12:05 PM

2014-05-12T12:05:18-04:00

I think it really depends on how the command uses the survey. If the command uses it as an honest look at the organization and/or leadership from the inside out and addresses issues or perceptions, it's a good thing. On the flip side, if the survey is just a block check and never mentioned again, it becomes worse than useless. Communication is key.

Keep in mind that the simple fact that Soldiers don't like something does not mean it is either necessarily bad or something the chain of command can or should control.

CPT Swartout mentioned the initial survey. Like the initial command inspection, that survey gives him a snapshot of the organization he inherited and the opportunity to hear/address his Soldiers' concerns. If I'm not mistaken, he should get a second survey at about the 6 month mark and a third survey and command inspection further down the road. The follow-on "looks" give the command team an azimuth check.

As for the "It doesn't matter what I write, nothing will change." comment: I believe this is where we must ensure the company grade officers and junior NCOs understand the surveys' purpose and that they communicate it to the Soldiers.

I suspect we will see more frustration as budget cuts force missions contracted out over the past 12 years to be reduced, eliminated, or pushed back to Soldiers for execution.

Bottom line: It's a tool. Its effectiveness depends on the command team.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2014 4:28 PM

2014-05-12T16:28:00-04:00

CC surveys can also be a good look into situations that escape the command team due to their distance from the Soldiers, particularly the subsequent surveys. Ensuring you are able to take an honest look at what may be harsh criticism of the work you are doing is essential or you risk too easily dismissing the results as mentioned below. My 1SG and I had some eye opening responses to the survey that we were not aware of and it helped us focus our efforts at improvement.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 11:18 PM

2014-05-29T23:18:56-04:00

Few questions to see if they should mean anything:

1. Do Soldiers put in their honest opinions?

2. Did the commander add any unique questions about what they want to know about?

3. How many people completed it?

4. Did it ever get compiled and given to the commander?

To the first we will never know.

To The second question for my last one. No I was not given the opportunity.

To the third we were well short and makes me wonder where the leadership follow-through was to ensure that they completed them as we had computers to rotate them through.

Finally, I have not received results from it as it turns out was setup, collected, and not processed properly. Still no results after months and word is that we are going to redo it again in the fall. Tell me if YOU would give two cents if you are always doing them!!! I think we will have poor results from it.

And as far as getting rid of toxic leaders. If done properly and utilized properly it can be used to show baseline as a command team comes in and later on and see if there are issues. If the higher command teams are worth anything they will know about the problems before command climate surveys even occur and will take action.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Jun 22 at 2014 3:50 AM

2014-06-22T03:50:23-04:00

Sir,

The results of the results if you will, are all about the commander and repeat assessments. having served as a EO rep 5 times i can tell you most people do not believe the commander cares, but once they see that the commander cares they will give you more details about a lot of things than you ever wanted to know or have time to read.

My recommendation, when you get to that point, read every word personally, put them in order and address them, this will identify most of the "smoking gun" issues in your unit that you will not find through other means.

Also, a question often overlooked in your follow up survey aimed mostly at your seniors that i have seen to be very helpful, "where do I as a commander need to improve or what am I doing wrong?"

Just my 2 cents.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2014 4:22 AM

2014-06-22T04:22:11-04:00

Sir, Command Climate surveys can be useful if they are taken seriously by command. I agree with SSG Mikus about the CO personally reading each survey and compiling a list of each answer. The list should include the number of times an answer is given. This will give the CO a better idea on which concerns to address first. The CO should then conduct small group sensing sessions with the unit by rank: junior enlisted, SGT and SSG, SFC and above. These sessions need to be conducted WITHOUT any other leader present.

Personally, in over 22 years, I have filled out so many surveys but have rarely seen any change especially with getting rid of toxic leaders. In fact, I see it as toxic leaders have just increased over the years.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2014 6:20 AM

2014-10-24T06:20:38-04:00

In my unit yes. However I do agree with MAJ Sheridan, in some units I believe they may not.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2014 11:16 PM

2014-12-22T23:16:29-05:00

In the units I have participated in these from the time I was a LT to LTC, the voices have been heard and changes have been implemented.

Soldiers need to understand that just because they have a problem with something doesn't mean there is a problem with the system or process. We will look into each and every issue to determine this.

We at all levels need constructive criticism, followed by controlled implementation in order to make the organization better.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2014 11:18 PM

2014-12-22T23:18:39-05:00

I'm sure some of that is. but how much of that is It's un certain

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Dec 22 at 2014 11:29 PM

2014-12-22T23:29:09-05:00

Yes sir, those voices are heard especially on a company level. The NCOs in my organization were briefed and it was discussed on how to address issues. So that means I am in a good unit.