Caring for People Survey results provide insight

More than 100,000 total force Airmen voiced their opinions in the online Caring for People survey conducted from Dec. 1, 2010 to Jan. 3, 2011.

After experts performed a comprehensive analysis, officials have released results to force support leadership.

The survey allowed active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen, civilians, retirees and spouses an opportunity to tell Air Force leaders how they can better address services within health and wellness; Airmen and family support; education and development; and housing and communities.

Respondents expressed satisfaction in areas such as housing, installation schools and military benefits. Additionally, dining facilities, fitness centers, child development centers and youth programs received customer satisfaction ratings of 70 or higher.

“The Air Force customer satisfaction index score was good overall,” said Curt Cornelssen, chief of future operations for Air Force Services at the Pentagon. “Information, Tickets and Travel and the Air Force Food Transformation Initiative were standouts, competing with comparable industry leaders in the travel and food service industries respectively.”

Areas of concern include a sense of Air Force community, the economy and financial issues, spouse support, medical care for families and job satisfaction.
Survey results were released to senior Air Force leaders and force support leadership to gain insight on how to improve quality of life programs, Cornelssen said.

“Air Force leaders will continue to prioritize activities and initiatives to best support quality of life satisfaction and readiness,” Cornelssen said. “Additionally, detailed customer service data will be provided to the installation level for improvement action planning and ongoing management.”

The Caring for People Survey was a merger of previous quality of life and customer satisfaction surveys conducted in 2008. Insights from the 2008 surveys and subsequent focus groups spurred the development of several initiatives for improving fitness facilities, dining operations and housing. Officials also allocated $10 million to start development of a Single Airmen program.

For more information on quality of life programs within the Air Force, visit www.MyAirForceLife.com.