RAND Corporation intends to contact nearly 580,000 service members as part of a military workplace survey that is “unprecedented in its scale,” according to an Aug. 18 release. The study, which is being conducted independently from DOD, is designed to “help commanders at all levels evaluate current military workplace relations, professionalism, and personal safety,” states the release. The voluntary and confidential survey is customized so not all service members will see the same survey questions, states the release. The results “will influence policies that affect everyone in the services,” said defense officials, and “it will have important implications for how the military operates.” The study may also have an effect on military training, justice, and services. The full report is slated for release in May 2015.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…