MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (158/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 9
July 2008
The first UK
tri-Service Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS), has
been published today, Wednesday 9 July. The survey was conducted
between July and October 2007. Since then, a number of the issues
raised in the survey have already been addressed with the
introduction of measures such as this year's 2.6 per cent pay
rise, the £10,000 rise in commitment bonuses to £15,000 and the 1%
increase in X-factor pay.
This survey builds on the single-Service Continuous Attitude
Surveys (CAS), bringing together the lines of questioning on a
tri-Service basis to allow direct comparison between the Services
and to capture the concerns of the Armed Forces as a whole.
Although some questions in the AFCAS are similar to those in
single-Service surveys the results are not directly comparable.
However, as we plan to continue surveying Armed Forces opinion in
this way, we will be able to draw meaningful conclusions in the
future, to further improve our ability to respond to the needs of
our people.
The latest statistics show that pride remains high within the
Armed Forces with 93 percent of Army officers and 76 percent of
soldiers proud to be in the Army. Pride in the Royal Navy and
Royal Air Force is also high, with 84 percent of RN officers and
62 percent of sailors proud to be part of the Royal Navy, and 89
percent of RAF Officers and 69 percent of Airmen expressing pride
in their Service.
Armed Forces personnel also have high levels of job satisfaction:
73 percent of Army officers and 57 percent of soldiers, 71 percent
of Royal Marine officers and 50 percent of other ranks, 70 percent
of RAF officers and 50 percent of other ranks, and 64 percent of
Royal Navy officers and 48 percent of other ranks are satisfied
with their jobs. There are also high levels of satisfaction with
the medical and dental treatment provided for personnel, across
all Services.
Throughout the Armed Forces, the inevitable impact of Service on
family life, including the amount of time spent away from home,
remains a key issue. However, over half of Army Personnel
surveyed (62 per cent) said the frequency of operational tours was
"about right" or "too few". Service personnel
are compensated for these differences in lifestyle and working
conditions through the payment of an additional 14 percent1 of
their salary through 'X-factor' pay. Personnel
completing a six month operational deployment are also eligible
for a tax-free £2320 operational allowance.
Defence Minister Derek Twigg, welcomed the publication of the
surveys, saying:
"These surveys offer a useful snapshot of attitudes. They
help the Armed Forces target issues that concern our people and
inform changes in policy and new initiatives. Since the survey
was conducted we have already implemented a number of important
changes such as the recent pay rise, an adjustment to the
operational bonus, and the introduction of childcare vouchers.
Over the next 10 years, we are also spending £8.4Bn on
accommodation, an area that is a high priority for our personnel.
We know that there is always more that can be done and later this
month we are publishing the first cross-government Service
Personnel Strategy, which contains a number of measures that will
further improve the support we offer to personnel, families and
veterans and ensure that we address all of their concerns."
The surveys provide a sample of views from across the Armed
Forces to the Chiefs of Staff of the Royal Navy, the Army and the
Royal Air Force. Previous trends from these surveys have informed
decisions on single-Service personnel initiatives and resources.
Notes to Editors
1. The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Surveys have been
released today on the MoD website.
2. The AFCAS was distributed between late July and late October
2007 by the Defence Analytical Services Agency (Surveys) on behalf
of Deputy Chief Defence Staff (Personnel). Across the Armed Forces
a total of 8857 questionnaires were returned, representing a
response rate of 36%.
3. For RN Officers, the Top Five factors influencing them to stay
in the Service were pension; excitement; healthcare; job
satisfaction; and opportunities for personal development. The Top
Five factors influencing RN Personnel towards leaving were, the
influence of Service life on family and personal life;
opportunities outside the RN; the effects of operational
commitments and stretch; (perceived) promotion prospects; and
(perceived) Service morale. For Ratings the Top Five factors
influencing them to stay in the Service were pension; healthcare;
opportunities for personal development; opportunities for career
development; and (perceived) promotion prospects. Financial
Retention Incentives were in 6th place for Ratings, despite not
being applicable to 17% of those who responded to the AFCAS item.
Top Five influences to leave for RN Ratings were the influence of
Service life on family and personal life; opportunities outside
the RN; the effects of operational commitments and stretch; amount
of pay; and (perceived) Service morale.
4. For RM Officers, the Top Five factors influencing them to stay
in the Service were pension; excitement; own morale; job
satisfaction; and healthcare; while the influence of Service life
on family and personal life; opportunities outside the RM; the
effects of operational commitments and stretch; amount of pay; and
amount of allowances were the top factors influencing them to
leave. For Other Ranks the Top Five factors influencing them to
stay were pension; excitement; healthcare; own morale; and
opportunities for personal development; while the top factors
influencing them to leave were the influence of Service life on
family and personal life; opportunities outside the RM; the
effects of operational commitments and stretch; amount of pay; and
amount of allowances
5. For Army Officers, the Top Five factors influencing them to
stay in the Service were pension; excitement; job satisfaction;
healthcare; and own morale. While the influence of Service life
on family and personal life; opportunities outside the Army;
Service accommodation; the effects of operational commitments and
stretch; and spouse/partner's career were the Top Five
factors influencing Army Officers towards leaving. For Soldiers
the Top Five factors influencing them to stay were pension;
healthcare; excitement; promotion opportunities; and opportunities
for personal development, whereas the Top Five influences to leave
were the influence of Service life on family and personal life;
opportunities outside the Army; amount of pay; management in my
unit; and Service accommodation.
6. For RAF Officers, the Top Five factors influencing them to
stay in the Service were pension; excitement; job satisfaction;
healthcare; and opportunities for personal development. While the
top factors influencing them to leave the influence of Service
life on family and personal life; the effects of operational
commitments and stretch; opportunities outside the RAF; Service
accommodation; and Service morale. For Airmen the Top Five
factors influencing them to stay were pension; healthcare;
opportunities for personal development; opportunities for career
development; and job satisfaction, while the influence of Service
life on family and personal life; opportunities outside the RAF;
the effects of operational commitments and stretch; Service
morale; and frequency of operational deployments were top factors
influencing them to leave the Service.
7. According to the fifth annual City & Guilds Happiness
Index published in May 2008, financial rewards are not the answer
to job satisfaction. Instead, having an interest in what you do
for a living is the number one factor for ensuring on-the-job
contentment. The Armed Forces were joint second with hairdressers
in the Happiest professions index. Further info here: http://www.cityandguilds.com
8. The full report of the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude
Surveys is available on the FOI section of the MoD website: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FreedomOfInformation/PublicationScheme/SearchPublicationScheme/ResultsForArmedForcesContinuousAttitudeSurveycas2007.htm
Hard copies are available in the Houses of Parliament library.
1 The X-factor has been increased to 14% since the return of
AFCAS questionnaires.