Defense Organizational Climate Survey

Posted on Jul 3, 2025 in slider

The Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) is a survey conducted by the Department of Defense to provide commanders and leaders with information they can use to improve their unit or organizational climate. 

The combined responses to these questions provide commanders and other leaders with important feedback about the current climate and help to identify emerging or existing challenges that may negatively impact their unit.

The DEOCS asks questions about an individual’s experiences within their unit/organization. The survey also asks questions about an individual’s immediate supervisor, unit commander, organizational leader, or Senior Non-Commissioned Officer /Senior Enlisted Leader.

Participation in the survey is voluntary, but highly encouraged.

Participants will be prompted to enter their DoD ID, e-mail address, or phone number before being able to take the DEOCS. The survey does not have to be completed in one sitting. Your DOD ID number is used as a validation tool for the registration process and IS NOT connected to responses.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS. MAKE IT HEARD!

PHASE 1: Pre-launch and Planning APR – JUN

  • Unit Roster Assembly

PHASE 2: DEOCS Launch and Administration AUG – OCT

  • HING DEOCS Window: 1 AUG – 31 OCT 2025

PHASE 3: Post-Survey Analysis NOV – DEC

  • Commanders review results with IPPW POC
  • Commanders brief initial results to units.

PHASE 4: Unit Feedback Window DEC – JAN

  • Work to answer clarifying questions (focus groups, immediate actions, etc)
  • Commanders create a Commander’s Action Plan (CAP)
  • CIPP Published to NGB: 31 JAN 2026

PHASE 5: CAP Implementation 1 FEB – 31 JUL

  • Enact, assess, and refine plans
  • Prepare for next cycle.

DEOCS/CCA – Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Command Climate Assessment (CCA)?

Command Climate Assessments (CCA) primarily serve as an organizational tool to help commanders and leaders build positive organizational climates. CCAs allow commanders and leaders to identify areas for improvement and take appropriate actions to address these challenges within their organization and allow decision makers at the strategic level to direct resources to the units, organizations, or locations that are most in need of prevention support.

Who can participate in the DEOCS? 

Military members of the organization, DOD government employees (including foreign nationals who are DOD employees). Contractors with the federal government are not eligible to take the DEOCS according to DODI 8910.01. NOTE: if you are both a military member AND a federal employee, you will get TWO links. You are encouraged to complete the DEOCS both times

Why is the DEOCS/CCA so important?

Because your voice matters! The DEOCS is primarily a tool for commanders and other organizational leaders to gain insight into their unit/organization. Although it also informs high-level DoD leadership, unlike many other surveys, its administration is decentralized and tailored to the unit level.

Do I need to take the DEOCS at a military computer? Can I use my personal device? 

All DEOCS must be completed online using a computer or mobile device (such as a smartphone or tablet). YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE AT A MILITARY COMPUTER TO TAKE THE DEOCS. Once registration has been approved, the DEOCS system will provide survey invitation e-mails that include a link to the survey.

What kinds of questions does the DEOCS ask? 

The DEOCS on average, measures 10 protective factors and 9 risk factors to help unit and organization commanders and leaders, as well as DoD leadership, better understand the current climate within and, in the case of DoD leadership, across units and organizations.

What about privacy, can anyone see my answers? Will my Commander or Supervisor see/know my answers?

Roster information is only used in the registration process and DOES NOT tell commanders or leaders which individuals did or did not respond or how they responded. Commanders only see response rates (percent completed). Except for open-ended responses, all data are reported as a whole and responses are stripped of specific identifiers. Participants are repeatedly urged to make sure they do not use PII in their responses. To further protect participants’ privacy, results are only reported for closed-ended questions if at least five participants respond to that question. Results are only reported for open-ended responses if at least 16 participants respond. While open-ended responses are only reported with other comments from people in the unit or organization, they are not edited.

Can I see the DEOCS results?

Only Survey administrators, requesting commanders and leaders can access survey results through the DEOCS portal.

How do I take the DEOCS?

Participants are designated on the unit roster during registration and access the survey through a link provided via e-mail. Participants log in to the survey with either their e-mail address, phone number, or DoD ID number—whichever was provided on the roster. Survey participants do not have access to the Command Climate Portal.