How much does the ability to manipulate the GAT 2.0 responses affect the accuracy of the tool?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Mon, 11 May 2015 16:43:23 -0400

I took the first Global Assessment Tool. I took the new Version 2.0 GAT a couple of times. I like the upgrades to the self-reporting instrument. I see a double-bind, however. Since all Soldiers are required to take the GAT 2.0 as a condition of maintaining employment, I wonder how many may be less than honest in self-reporting "trouble" areas, alcohol or tobacco overusage, sleep patterns, etc. To be effective, there must be an Army that practices honesty in completing the online resiliency assessment tool. But what happens if a Servicemember is "too honest" about a drinking problem, domestic abuse problem, mental health issues? If they are concerned about losing a job, how honest will they be on the GAT 2.0 when there is a problem they wish to keep hidden? Is there a better way than the GAT 2.0 to assess resiliency? Or is it the best tool we have?

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 11 at 2015 4:50 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 11 May 2015 16:50:07 -0400

The GAT 2.0 although in can be manipulated. Is a tool to help individuals not the end to the mean? I feel the since you cannot get individual GAT statistics the question is why would one do so. The results of the GAT are not available to anyone but you.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 5:47 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 17:47:20 -0400

If anything of importance or value is threatened, chances are your score legitimacy is going to be compromised.

Response by CPL Jay Freeman made May 11 at 2015 5:49 PM

CPL Jay Freeman — Mon, 11 May 2015 17:49:33 -0400

This I do know first hand. If it means a soldier may no longer do what he loves to do he will lie. I rolled my humvee 3 and a half times and fell another 15 feet landing on the roof after getting out and all was said and done I had continues back pain which I got medicated for and never went to see the cause of this pain from time to time it made it nearly impossible to walk and I was put into traction for physical therapy. Once I could go again I still didn't get it looked at more than just a bandaid from time to time I was afraid I would be desked for the rest of my career as a 19 delta scout I would have nothing to do with this. Now that I'm out I had to go threw the va to get a rating and was told that since I didn't raise any red flags about my back while I was in they would not cover it. I raised hell and got a lot of records they changed there mind. But like I said it not only goes for a soldier it is human nature if you fear losing something you love because you opened up to talk about it you will lie to keep it all and find a way to adapt and drive on

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 11 at 2015 7:30 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 11 May 2015 19:30:29 -0400

https://youtu.be/GKSdqoIogOg

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 11 at 2015 8:28 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 11 May 2015 20:28:22 -0400

Like any assessment tool, especially when you may fear this could impact your future career, you are more likely to answer with "the answer you think they want" vs. your actual answer.

Response by LTC David Stender made May 12 at 2015 8:09 AM

LTC David Stender — Tue, 12 May 2015 08:09:35 -0400

This tool can assist those looking for a way to get help w/o directly interacting w/ CoC; the majority will just check the block.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made May 12 at 2015 9:21 AM

SSG Mike Angelo — Tue, 12 May 2015 09:21:02 -0400

Having retired from the service in 96, I do not know what GAT 2.0 is or its impact on morale, health and welfare of the servicemember or the unit. In following the discussion however, the best way to face a personal problem such as alchohol, drug, suicide etc is to let someone in the chain know and get seen by a professional. It is a self help initiative. It is a U do project to take care of U, because U R #1. People count on U to be at ur very best every day at 110%.

The military service may have taken personal counseling out of the NCO support chain ... for what ever reason. My advice is that if ur not running at 110%...think and take pause...Houston we have a problem...look for resources to fix what is broke...there is no shame in asking for help. This is a personal leadership project. Move ur ass and handle it with tough love.

Response by CPL Eric Allen made May 12 at 2015 2:14 PM

CPL Eric Allen — Tue, 12 May 2015 14:14:35 -0400

Nothing happens I know a guy who would just click all the drug and alcohol ones to see if anything happened and nothing but that the old gat.

Response by SPC Christopher Salustro made May 12 at 2015 2:47 PM

SPC Christopher Salustro — Tue, 12 May 2015 14:47:12 -0400

Yes, it affects your answers I'm agreeing with everyone on the discussion. When you feel it's going to effect your career, you answer what you "think the Army wants you to say".

Personally I've always been bluntly honest. I've never had issues with drugs or alcohol, but I have had sleep issues as well as some anger and coping issues. I've been honest, it's given me some resources that can help. I think it is a fairly comprehensive and useful tool. If used correctly, and honest with it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 10:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 22:52:59 -0400

GAT is another available tools for those to seek help and obtain resources. If an SFC asks a PFC if he or she has a problem or need help for anything than most likely the response will be, No. I believe that the tool is helpful and helps others figure out what steps to take if they plan on keeping their problems to themselves.

Response by CH (CPT) Thomas Kirchhoefer made Oct 21 at 2015 11:12 AM

CH (CPT) Thomas Kirchhoefer — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:12:10 -0400

I always saw that problem with the GAT too.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2017 3:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 May 2017 03:49:34 -0400

CH (MAJ) William Beaver I 100% agree with your original post. The GAT is a great idea, but giving Soldiers free reign and expecting them to be honest will inevitably lead to Soldiers bending the truth in order for them to not cause any more issues than is necessary.

It is not that Soldiers are inherently dishonest, but the amount of mandated training that we have forced on us gets a little out of hand. If you do the math on the 350-1 training required by every SM, it takes more than a year to complete it to standard. And, based on a unit's OPTEMPO, it could quite possibly just be impossible to complete. The norm is for Soldiers to either learn the ins and outs to complete it as quickly as possible, or to have answers provided so they can get it done and move on because something else is priority.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 11:34 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 11:34:23 -0400

CH (MAJ) William Beaver, not a simple question. Great to meet you.
Integrity. I prefer to answer honestly to get an accurate self-assessment for myself if not for the "professionals" who may or may not look at it.
Having said that, whether it is a self-lead tool like the GAT or facilitated questions like the PDHRA, it is too easy to manipulate. I almost didn't deploy last time because I was honest and admitted to drinking *GASP* more than THREE drinks per night on occasion. I was snapped up quick and sent to the resident Psychologist who expressed her deep concern for my well-being. Funny because there were only a handful of us talking to the Psychologist and I was in a Field Artillery Battalion where on any given drill weekend more than half of the Battalion was known to empty the liquor store. So I'M the one with the problem? Now I know how to answer the PDHRA and other assessments. 0 drugs, 0 alcohol, completely happy, life is great, I do not know the contents of Soylent Green.

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