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Briefing Topics

Survey of Army Families VI Final Total Summary Briefing January 2011 Contract No: W74V8H-04-0065/Task Order 0040 Joseph Rayzor U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC) Marketing Directorate. Briefing Topics. Survey Methodology Finding Highlights

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Briefing Topics

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  1. Survey of Army Families VI Final Total Summary BriefingJanuary 2011Contract No: W74V8H-04-0065/Task Order 0040Joseph RayzorU.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC)Marketing Directorate

  2. Briefing Topics • Survey Methodology • Finding Highlights • Specifics in Eight Key Areas 1. Demographics 2. Demands of Being an “Army Family” 3. Family Separations and Preparedness 4. Coping with Separation and Deployments 5. Post-Deployment 6. Programs and Services to Support Army Families 7. Army Leadership 8. Army Way as a Way of Life and Career • Summary of Findings

  3. Survey Methodology

  4. Survey Methodology • 1. Earlier Surveys of Army Families (SAF) in 1987, 1991/2, 1995, 2001, and 2004/5 • 2. SAF VI conducted February through June 2010 • Stratified sample by rank and deployment status of civilian/non-military spouses of Active Component Soldiers selected using official Army personnel files • Three subsamples of spouses, each with its own tailored survey, selected based on their Soldier spouse’s deployment status since September 11, 2001: • -- Currently Deployed • -- Deployed & Returned • -- Not Deployed • 5. 28% response rate

  5. Survey Methodology • Usable responses from a total of 16,805 spouses of Active Component Soldiers (5,990 officers and 10,815 enlisted) • 7. Results weighted to total population of 269,745 spouses of Active Component Soldiers (45,009 officers and 224,736 enlisted) • 45,447 spouses of Currently Deployed Soldiers • 146,487 spouses of Soldiers who have Deployed & Returned • 77,811 spouses of Soldiers who have Not Deployed • Sampling error for the survey results • +1 percentage point for the total sample • + 1 for comparing the deployment status subsamples • Total Summary Briefing reports data • Total SAF VI sample and by deployment status • Trend data from earlier SAFs where appropriate

  6. Survey Methodology Survey Topics

  7. Finding Highlights

  8. High percentages (60% or more) of spouses reported that: They are very satisfied/satisfied with the Army as a way of life Their Family has adjusted well to the demands of being an “Army Family” They (spouses of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers) were coping/coped very well/well during the Soldier’s absence/most recent deployment Since 2004/5, there has been an increase in the percentage of spouses: Who said their Soldier spouse plans (and they would like for their Soldier spouse) to STAY in the Army beyond their present obligation or until retirement Who are very satisfied/satisfied with the kind of life they can have in the Army and the respect the Army shows Soldiers and spouses Of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers who coped very well/well during the Soldier’s absence/most recent deployment Finding HighlightsEncouraging Findings

  9. Finding HighlightsEncouraging Findings (Continued) • Of all spouses, most (83%) said the Family Readiness Group (FRG/vFRG) in the Soldier spouse’s unit is active. Of those with an active FRG/vFRG, • Two-thirds said the FRG/vFRG in the Soldier’s unit is run well • Almost three-fourths rated FRGs as good/fair in helping them and their Family • Two-thirds of spouses who used Army Child, Youth, & School Services (CYSS) and Recreation programs/services said these impacted their Family’s life to a great/moderate extent in several areas. • Since 2004/5, there has been an increase in the percentage of spouses and Families of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers who, during the Soldier’s deployment, received very helpful support from: • Army Community Services • Chaplain/chapel • Rear Detachment Command

  10. Finding HighlightsChallenges • About one-half of spouses are dissatisfied/very dissatisfied with deployments/amount of time their Soldier spouse is away from home. • About one-third of spouses of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers said the Soldier has been deployed since September 11, 2001 for a military operation 2 times; one-third said 3 or more times. • The percentages of spouses of Deployed & Returned and Not Deployed Soldiers who said they would have a serious or moderate problem coping increased as the time the Soldier would be away increased. • Since 2004/5, there has been an increase in the percentage of spouses: • Whose Family has experienced emotional/nervous or marital problems in the last 6 months • Of Deployed & Returned Soldiers who said it took them, the Soldier, or their child(ren) 9 or more weeks to adjust to being together again

  11. Topic 1 Demographics

  12. Topic 1. Demographics Typical Spouse Demographics: • Female (96.7%) • 20 to 34 years old (69.0%) • Educated beyond high school or GED level (78.1%) • Married for the first time (79.4%) • Have dependent child(ren) ages 0 to 10 years old living with them (58.6% – 67.9%) • 83.5% married to Enlisted personnel; 16.5% married to Officers Spouse’s Paid and Volunteer Work: • One-fourth (23.3%) employed full time • One-tenth (12.8%) employed part-time • Two-fifths (37.5%) not employed but either looking for employment or not looking but would like a paying job • One-fifth volunteered in the last 3 months for either military-affiliated (17.3%) or civilian (20.9%) organizations

  13. Topic 1. Demographics What is your Soldier spouse’s present rank?All spouses (Q60_111) SE +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 1%

  14. Topic 1. Demographics Are you male or female?All spouses (Q43_111) How old were you on your last birthday?All spouses (Q47_111) SE +/- 1%

  15. Topic 1. Demographics SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 1%

  16. Topic 1. Demographics What is your race? [Multiple responses are valid]All spouses (Q45_111) Are you of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin or ancestry (of any race)?All spouses (Q44_111) What is the highest level of education you have completed?All spouses (Q46_111) SE +/- 1%

  17. Topic 1. Demographics What is your current employment status?All spouses (Q57_111) SE +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR, ND = +/- 1%

  18. Topic 1. Demographics During the last 3 months, how many hours of volunteer work did you do for MILITARY-affiliated and/or CIVILIAN organizations?All spouses(Q59A1-2_111) SEs: CD, DR, ND = +/- 1%

  19. Topic 1. Demographics TREND DATA SAF VI 2010 What is your current marital status?All spouses (Q48_111) SEs: All years +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 1%

  20. Topic 1. Demographics TREND DATA SAF VI 2010 How long have you been married to your current spouse?All spouses (Q49A1-2_111) SEs: All years +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 1%

  21. Topic 1. Demographics How many dependent children do you and your Soldier spouse have LIVING WITH YOU for each of the age groups listed below?All spouses (Q53A1-8_111) SE +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 2% except DNA +/- 1%

  22. TOPIC 2 Demands of Being an “Army Family”

  23. Over two-thirds (70.6%) of spouses said their Family adjusted well to the demands of being an “Army Family”. About one-tenth of spouses had a serious problem with: The demands the Army makes of Family members (13.6%) “Getting along” when the Soldier spouse is away because of training, field duty, PCS, TDY, deployments, etc. (12.3%) Since 2004/5, there has been a: Slight increase in the percentage for whom demands the Army makes of Family members are a moderate problem (22.2% in 2004/5; 24.9% in 2010) Decrease in the percentage of spouses of Deployed & Returned and Not Deployed Soldiers who have made 2 or more PCS moves during the last 3 years (18.0% in 2004/5; 15.2% in 2010) Topic 2: Demands of Being an “Army Family” Family Adjustment to Army Demands

  24. Soldier’s Work Demands Since 2004/5, there has been a significant decrease in the percentage of spouses of Not Deployed Soldiers who said during the last 12 months their Soldier spouse: Was kept at work beyond normal duty hours (54.8% in 2004/5; 49.9% in 2010) Decided to stay at work beyond normal duty hours (45.1% in 2004/5; 26.8% in 2010) Was required to work on the weekend (37.6% in 2004/5; 26.0% in 2010) Family Problems Almost half (45.3%) of spouses of Not Deployed Soldiers said they have a serious problem with the possibility that their Soldier spouse may re-deploy after returning from a deployment and one-third (34.2%) have a serious problem with the possibility that the Soldier may be involved in combat. Since 2004/5, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of spouses who said in the last 6 months their Family had experienced: Emotional or nervous problems (15.3% in 2004/5; 19.2% in 2010) Marital problems (10.7% in 2004/5; 13.8% in 2010) Topic 2: Demands of Being an “Army Family”

  25. Topic 2: Demands of Being an “Army Family” TREND DATA SAF VI 2010 In general, how well has your Family adjusted to the demands of being an “Army Family”?All spouses (Q80_111) SEs: All years +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 1%

  26. Topic 2: Demands of Being an “Army Family” TREND DATA SAF VI 2010 How much of a problem are the demands the Army makes of Family members?All spouses (Q73A2_111) SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 1% SEs: All years +/- 1%

  27. Topic 2: Demands of Being an “Army Family” How many Permanent Change of Station (PCS or official Army) moves have YOU made during the last 3 years?All spouses (1991/2, 1995, 2001); Spouses of Deployed & Returned and Not Deployed Soldiers (2004/5, 2010) (Q7_011) SEs: 1995 – 2010 +/- 1%; 1991/2 +/- 2%

  28. Topic 2: Demands of Being an “Army Family” TREND DATA SAF VI 2010 How often has the following occurred at your Soldier spouse’s duty assignment during the last 12 months?All spouses (1991/2, 1995, 2001); Spouses of Not Deployed Soldiers (2004/5, 2010) (Q64A2-6_111) SEs: 1995 – 2010 +/- 1%; 1991/2 +/- 2% SE: ND +/- 1%

  29. Topic 2: Demands of Being an “Army Family” TREND DATA SAF VI 2010 How much of a problem is each of the following to you?All spouses (Q73A1, 3, 4_111) Spouses of Not Deployed Soldiers (Q73A5-8 _111) SE +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 1%

  30. Topic 2: Demands of Being an “Army Family” TREND DATA SAF VI 2010 To what extent have you had/ experienced in your Family any of the following problems in the last 6 months?All spouses (Q74A1-3, 5-8_111) SEs: All years +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 1% except ND parenting difficulty +/- 2%

  31. TOPIC 3 Family Separations and Preparedness

  32. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness Deployments: • About one-third (36.7%) of spouses of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers said their Soldier spouse deployed for a military operation 2 times; one-third (34.7%) deployed 3 or more times. • About two-thirds (64.7%) of spouses of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers said that, since September 11, 2001, their Soldier spouse deployed on a military operation for a total of 10 to 29 months; one-fourth (25.7%) deployed for 30 or more months. Traditional and Virtual Family Readiness Groups (FRGs/vFRGs): • Slightly over four-fifths (82.9%) of all spouses said FRG/vFRG in their Soldier spouse’s unit is active. Of those with an active FRG/vFRG: • Nine-tenths (89.8%) participated by attending meetings; one-fourth (24.2%) participated by serving as an FRG leader • Three-fifths (64.4%) said the FRG/vFRG in Soldier’s unit is run well • Almost three-fourths (71.7%) rated FRGs and two-fifths (37.6%) rated vFRGs as good or fair in helping them and their Family

  33. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness Staying Informed and Dealing with Army Systems: • Compared to 2004/5, a lower percentage agree with the following statements: • My Soldier spouse has kept/keeps me well informed about the Army (83.5% in 2004/5; 79.1% in 2010) • At this location, I know where to go or how to get emergency assistance, if needed (81.0% in 2004/5; 77.2% in 2010) • I keep myself well informed about the Army (73.5% in 2004/5; 66.3% in 2010) • I feel comfortable dealing with Army agencies (63.2% in 2004/5; 59.3% in 2010) • Compared to 2004/5, a lower percentage know about documents and procedures which are unique to the Army. Examples: • How their Soldier spouse’s pay entitlements are handled (91.5% in 2004/5; 84.6% in 2010) • How to read their Soldier spouse’s Leave and Earnings Statement (88.4% in 2004/5; 79.6% in 2010) • Location of insurance policies/other important documents (84.3% in 2004/5; 75.3% in 2010)

  34. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness Satisfaction with Way the Army Handled Deployment: • About one-half of spouses of Currently Deployed Soldiers said they were very satisfied/satisfied with the way the Army has handled: • Information briefing on where Families could obtain information or assistance (51.3%) and on FRGs/vFRGs (47.6%) • Information on the location of the Soldier spouse (50.6%) • Predeployment briefing for Family Members (45.6%) Communicating with Deployed Soldier • Almost all spouses (96.6%) of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers communicated with the Soldier via Email/Internet. • Two-thirds to three-fourths communicated via: • Regular mail (their money) (75.6%) • Paid telephone (their money) (71.9%), free/prepaid telephone (65.3%) • Instant messaging (63.8%)

  35. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness Since September 11, 2001, how many times has your spouse deployed for a military operation?Spouses of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers (Q11_110) SE +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR +/- 1%

  36. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness Since September 11, 2001, was your spouse deployed for a military operation to any of the following?Spouses of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers (Q10A2-3, 6-7_110)Where is your spouse currently deployed? Spouses of Currently Deployed Soldiers (Q10B2-3, 6-7_100) SE +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR +/- 1%

  37. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness Since September 11, 2001, how many total months has your Soldier spouse been deployed for a military operation?Spouses of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers (Q12A2_110) Since September 11, 2001, how many months has your Soldier spouse been away from home for other military reasons?AllSpouses (Q13A2_111) SE +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 1%

  38. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness TREND DATA SAF VI 2010 To what extent do you agree with the following statements?All Spouses (Q42A1-5_111) SEs: All years +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 1%

  39. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness TREND DATA SAF VI 2010 There are many documents and procedures which are unique to the Army. Do you know the following?All Spouses (1991/2, 1995, 2001); Spouses of Not Deployed Soldiers (2004/5, 2010)(Q26A2-4, 6_001) SEs: All years +/- 1% SE: ND +/- 1%

  40. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness TREND DATA SAF VI 2010 There are many documents and procedures that are unique to the Army. Do you know the following?(continued)All spouses (1991/2, 1995, 2001); Spouses of Not Deployed Soldiers (2004/5, 2010) (Q26A5, 7-9_001) SEs: All years +/- 1% SE: ND +/- 1%

  41. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness During the last 12 months did you participate in a Family Readiness Group (FRG) during your spouse’s absence?All spouses (Q38A1-4_111) SE +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR, ND +/- 1%

  42. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness Is the FRG/vFRG in your Soldier spouse’s unit active? (Answer for your FRG during the last 12 months)All spouses (Q39A3_111) SE +/- 1%

  43. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness Below are some questions about Family Readiness Groups (FRGs/ vFRGs). Please answer the questions for your FRG during the last 12 monthsAll spouses (Q39A1-6_111) SEs: CD, DR +/- 2%; ND +/- 3% SE: All years +/- 1% except Family Readiness Training +/- 2%

  44. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness OF THOSE SPOUSES REPORTING AN ACTIVE FRG IN SOLDIER’S UNIT … How would you rate how well your FRG/vFRG has helped you and your Family?All spouses (Q41A2-3_111) SE +/- 1% SEs: Q41A2 CD, DR +/- 2%; ND +/- 3%; Q41A3 CD +/- 2%; DR, ND +/- 3%

  45. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness OF THOSE SPOUSES REPORTING AN ACTIVE FRG/vFRG IN SOLDIER’S UNIT … During the last 12 months, why have you NOT participatedin an FRG/vFRG? All spouses (Q40A1-2, 6-7, 9, 11_111) SE +/- 2% except DNA +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR DNA +/- 2% except ND DNA +/- 3%; CD, DR reasons +/- 3% except ND reasons +/- 4%

  46. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness TREND DATA SAF VI 2010 How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with how the Army has handled the following aspects of the deployment of your Soldier spouse?Spouses of Currently Deployed (2004/5, 2010) Soldiers (Q24A1-7_100) SEs: All years +/- 1% SEs: CD +/- 1%

  47. Topic 3: Family Separations and Preparedness While your Soldier spouse has been/was deployed, how often do/did you communicate with each other using the following?Spouses of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers (Q19A1-3, 5-6_110) SE +/- 1% SEs: CD, DR +/- 1%

  48. TOPIC 4 Coping with Separations and Deployments

  49. Topic 4: Coping with Separations and Deployments Coping with Soldier’s Time Away • The percentage of spouses of Deployed & Returned and Not Deployed Soldiers who said they would have a serious/moderate problem increased as the time the Soldier would be away on assignment increased (5.3% less than a month, 85.4% a mission overseas of undetermined length). • Since 2004/5, the percentage of Deployed & Returned and Not Deployed Soldiers reporting that they would have a serious/ moderate problem decreased if the Soldier was away for 3 – 6 months (35.5% in 2004/5; 29.8% in 2010) and 7 months to a year (62.0% in 2004/5, 58.7% in 2010). • During their Soldier spouse’s most recent absence/deployment, about three-fifths (58.8%) of spouses of Currently Deployed and Deployed & Returned Soldiers coped very well/well. This is an increase in the percentage coping very well/well since 2004/5 (52.3% in 2004/5; 58.8% in 2010).

  50. Topic 4: Coping with Separations and Deployments Coping with Day-to-Day and Child-Related Tasks • Overall while their Solider spouse has been deployed or in the last 12 months, the majority (55% - 90%) of spouses managed very well/well: • 14 of 18 day-to-day household and Family tasks • 7 of 7 child-related tasks • Since 2004/5, the percentage of spouses handling the following day-to-day and child-related tasks very well/well decreased: • Working at their paid job (79.3% in 2004/5; 76.9% in 2010) • Taking care of their own health (66.9% in 2004/5; 63.3% in 2010) • Disciplining/handling child(ren) (78.5% in 2004/5; 75.4% in 2010) • Doing their regular volunteer work (62.2% in 2004/5, 55.8% in 2010)

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