Army Personnel Survey Office

ARI’s Army Personnel Survey Office (APSO) is the Army’s Center of Excellence for attitude and opinion surveys of Active Component Soldiers and their dependent family members. Top Army leaders use the survey data to “keep a finger on the pulse” of the Army and to stay informed about the well-being and needs of Army Soldiers and families. For example, top Army leaders receive survey reports on key personnel issues, such as well-being (quality of life), morale, and plans to stay in or leave the Army before retirement. Survey results also are reported to the U.S. Congress in the annual Army Posture Statement.

APSO conducts two Army-wide surveys on a recurring basis: the omnibus, semi-annual, Sample Survey of Military Personnel (SSMP) and the biennial Survey on Officer Careers (SOC). Army agencies and activities are provided an opportunity to identify specific topics to be included in these surveys, and the results are reported directly to these proponent organizations. In addition, trend data are collected for the Army by including on a regular basis questions on topics related to soldier readiness and retention such as job satisfaction, satisfaction with housing, leader support for Army families and single Soldiers, spouse satisfaction, equal opportunity/discrimination, and unit climate.