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 Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.