Tell Us About Morale at HQ or Your Store . . . We Want to Hear

By LTC Vernon Jakoby

Since 2017, the Exchange’s inspector general has administered the Climate Assessment Survey to directorates and all locations visited during the 2018-19 inspection cycles.

The survey tracks opinions of associates on their leadership climate and provides leaders with an understanding of what is going well and where problems may exist.

The survey assists the IG with meeting the requirement in AR 215-8/AFI 34-211 (Army & Air Force Exchange Service Operations) to inspect associate morale and effectiveness.

Although completing the survey isn’t mandatory, it offers a way to be heard and have the IG bring concerns, suggestions or good news stories to leaders and senior managers of the Exchange.

The survey is anonymous. Respondents are not identified in any way. Written comments, for example, are summarized to conceal the author’s identity.

Upon request from a senior manager, the IG can quickly administer the survey and provide results within a day after closing it.

Analysis of the results provides leaders with an accurate assessment, especially when written comments support the findings from the survey’s multiple-choice part.

Implementing change from the survey results shows associates that leaders listen and take action.

Senior management officials can request a climate survey for their areas by contacting the Exchange Office of the Inspector General through its website, by calling 800-527-6789 or emailing hotline@aafes.com.”

LTC Vernon Jakoby is the Exchange inspector general’s chief of inspections.