BALANCED LIFE: POCIS Shane O’Gradey with his family on the bridge of HMAS Anzac. Defence Attitude Survey results led to the introduction of Sea Change, aimed at, among other things, establishing a home/work-life balance. Photo: ABPH Quentin Mushins

Navy personnel can have their say and let Defence and Navy decision-makers know how things are going through the Defence Attitude Survey (DAS).
Last year Navy members did not make the most of this opportunity, with a survey response rate of only 37 per cent — well below Air Force and only marginally better than Army’s efforts.

Not just another survey, the DAS provides 30 per cent of Navy members the unique chance to give the Defence and Navy’s Leadership Team direct feedback about their opinion of Navy life.

Members’ input plays a vital role in ensuring Defence leaders continue to focus on the right issues.
Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston takes the results from this survey seriously.
“Headquarters staff strive to make strategic and policy decisions that will address the needs of Defence personnel, however, it is easy to lose touch with what is important to both ADF and APS at every location and at every level of the ADO,” he said.

“The DAS, in combination with other research, provides a valuable means of letting the Leadership Team know what’s working and what isn’t. It is, therefore, important to know exactly what people are currently thinking so that we can prioritise our efforts accordingly.”

The DAS report is compulsory reading for both Senior Defence and Navy Leaders.
Based on past feedback, Navy is targeting the areas its members have told them really matter.
Navy’s project Sea Change, which aims to improve geographic stability, home/work-life balance and workloads — both in ships and on shore — is one example. Better access to career management is also an important initiative.

Those selected to participate in this year’s DAS are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity.
“Your feedback is vital in allowing us to create the type of organisation you want to work in and we encourage you to continue to have your say,” ACM Houston said.
For more information on the 2004 DAS results, a full copy of the report is available on the intranet: http://aurora.cbr.defence.gov.au/DSPPR/default.shtml.