The "Anonymous Survey": How anonymous is it really?

MSgt Matthew Meindl — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:00:43 -0400

After filling in all the pertinent information that narrowed it all the way down to what workcenter I was in (less than 15 people usually), then adding in the identifiers (rank, age, race, gender, etc), I could usually identify anybody in my workcenter. Was it really anonymous? With that being said, do you answer them as if they were truly anonymous, or do you make sure your answers won't get you in trouble?

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Aug 31 at 2015 4:03 PM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:03:45 -0400

Anonymous no longer exist if you complete the survey out correctly - gender, age, GS level, position etc.....they know who you are

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 31 at 2015 4:04 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:04:43 -0400

As much as I hate to say it, I answer to ensure that my answers won't get me in trouble... Even now, I do the same as a DA Civilian...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 4:15 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:15:00 -0400

I still answer anonymously. Usually the people running the survey don't actually include all of the demographics attached to each answer. Occasionally they do though, so it could be important to know.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 31 at 2015 4:16 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:16:27 -0400

Unless the survey mandates I be anonymous, I always use my correct name and identifiers. That held true in both the military and civilian arena. Irritated some, but never worried about anything but honesty. Paid off for the most part, a little pain from those that didn't want the truth.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Aug 31 at 2015 4:20 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:20:27 -0400

a·non·y·mous
əˈnänəməs/
adjective
adjective: anonymous
(of a person) not identified by name; of unknown name.

MSgt Matthew Meindl Clearly if someone wants to know who you are and all the criteria (rank, age, race, gender, etc) is queried the anonymity is no longer there.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 31 at 2015 4:26 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:26:35 -0400

With all the data breaches, and the amount of "demographic data" I never assume that anything I answer cannot be pinpointed back to me. Especially after a few times after the results of surveys are released and I was specifically asked about questions I responded to with an unusual bit of accuracy.

Response by MSgt Donald G. made Aug 31 at 2015 5:19 PM

MSgt Donald G. — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 17:19:11 -0400

Non-anonymous surveys are screwed up. Typically, you could tell straight off if it was truly an anonymous survey when filling on the initial qualifiers. If it was, I answered truthfully. If it wasn't, I'd try to skip it unless it was tracked via login; then I sadly became Hillary Clinton (tap dancing and politically correct). One would hope commanders realize this.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Aug 31 at 2015 8:01 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 20:01:22 -0400

I answered honestly at my last base. Even if they did decide to go all CSI on the demographic answers they would narrow it down to about 30+ people. Good luck picking me as the one who gave those specific answers.

I feel that being honest is the best way to possibly get some changes rolling. If everyone is too afraid to tell the CC what's wrong then the problems are only going to get worse.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 1:27 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:27:51 -0400

MSgt Matthew Meindl I've always thought that if your CaC card is required, there's no anonymity at all.

Response by CPL Ken Zaske made Oct 16 at 2021 8:48 PM

CPL Ken Zaske — Sat, 16 Oct 2021 20:48:25 -0400

Maybe this is one of the reasons I got to E-4 after 12 years of service (that and I turned an E-5 promotion once) but I would not concern myself with who know how I replied to the survey. If you believe that your answers are correct and honest; stand your ground. Even if it burns those above and or below you.