Veterans Pulse Survey Bob Torongo, Ryan Tully GfK Custom Research 1
Introduction Uncover unique information about how America s veterans view their country, military experience, benefits and overall quality of life. Increase awareness of Veteran s by publicizing and disseminating findings via media relations and social media. Provide information to support legislative advocacy. Strengthen DAV s position as a thought leader and go to resource for information and knowledge about veterans. 2
Summary of results The study results show dramatic and significant differences in the attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of veterans between the generational service groups. These differences are prevalent not only in retrospective military service and transition to civilian life, but also perceived differences in the government benefits received by and general treatment of other generational service groups. Additionally, the data demonstrates differences in the usage and impact of non-profit organizational assistance in transitioning to civilian life. The findings indicate clear systemic differences in the overall pre- and post-military experience of veterans by generational service groups and support the existence of distinct generational sub-populations within American veterans population. The research further highlights the unique methodological challenges experienced in surveying the different service groups and the nonresponse techniques implemented to improve cooperation rates and data quality. The research contains both methodological and substantive implications for future studies research governmental program evaluation, health policy and outcomes, and outreach efforts for American veterans. 3
Method 4
Methods GfK utilized KnowledgePanel, a probability-based web panel designed to be representative of the United States, to conduct The DAV Veterans Pulse Survey. The target population for the sample consisted of non-institutionalized adults age 18 and over, residing in the United States, who previously served on active duty in the U.S. military for six months or longer, but were no longer on active duty. The survey consisted of two stages: an initial screening survey for veterans status and the main survey with the study-eligible respondents. The data collection field period was 16 days: (8/4/15 to 8/19/15) 5
Results 6
Veterans of all generations have a very positive view of their military service Do you feel your service in the military had an overall positive impact on your life? 50% 85% 35% 9% 3% 3% 1% Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree NA/Not Sure 7
The vast majority of America s veterans would serve again 79% say they would choose to do it all over again. How much do you agree/disagree with the statements If I had to do it all over again I would repeat my military service. 7.9 /10 8
Female veterans are also just as likely to say, if they had to do it all over again, they would repeat their military service. How much do you agree/disagree with the statements If I had to do it all over again I would repeat my military service. 45% 78% 33% 11% 5% 4% 1% Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree NA/Not Sure 9
95% who served 15 years or more strongly agree/agree that military service had an overall positive impact on their life Do you feel that your service in the military had an overall positive impact on your life? Active Duty Service Time 15 and plus years 95% 5 to 14 years 85% 6 mos. To 4 years 83% n=1484, Percent agree and strongly agree 10
Less than half of veterans believe benefits they were promised have been delivered Awareness Benefits Received Disabled Vets 37% 44% 18% Other Vets 28% I am aware of all the veterans' benefits I am eligible for and how to take advantage of them. I have received the veterans' benefits (health, disability, financial, education) that I was promised. Disabled veterans have received the benefits they were promised.. I believe that other veterans have received the benefits they were promised. 11
Many do not believe Talent Market the government Germany or American public treat veterans well Promises Kept Do you feel that promises the government made to you as a veteran have been kept? Government Treats Us Well Do you agree/disagree with the statements - The federal government treats veterans well. Public Treats Us Well Do you agree/disagree with the statements - The American Public treats veterans well. 48% 22% 53%
Service-Era Differences 13
Pre 9/11 era veterans more likely to say military service had an overall positive impact on their life Do you feel that your service in the military had an overall positive impact on your life? WWII & Korean War The text demonstrates how your own text will look. Vietnam Era The text demonstrates how your own text will look. Pre-9/11 The text demonstrates how your own text will look. Post-9/11 The text demonstrates how your own text will look. 86% 83% 89% 84%
Pre 9/11 era veterans more likely to say military service had an overall positive impact on their life Do you feel that your service in the military had an overall positive impact on your life? 100% 80% 89% Pre 9/11 Strongly agree Agree 60% 40% 53% 50% 59% 48% 20% 32% 32% 30% 36% 0% 3% 3% 60% 50% 10% 2% 3% 40% 40% 30% 30% 20% WWII & Korean War (n=133) Vietnam Era (n=736) Service Era Pre 9/11 (n=393) Sept. 2001 or later (n=222)
Post 9/11 era veterans more likely have a disability, Vietnam era disabled vets largely think the level of disability compensation they receive is unfair 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 13% Disability Rating 4% WWII & Korean War (n=133) 21% 64% Vietnam Era (n=736) Do you have a disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs? Service Era 30% Pre 9/11 (n=393) 40% 36% 39% Sept. 2001 or later (n=222) Is the compensation fair? Disability Rating disagree compensation is fair Do you believe the amount of compensation you are receiving for your service-related disability is fair?
Some perceptions that 9/11 era veterans receive better treatment. Client logo [delete this grey box if not required] 12% 11% 5% 7% 33% 22% 2% 5% 10% 17% 51% 32% 34% 43% Strongly agree Neither diagree or agree Agree Disagree Strongly agree Neither diagree or agree Agree Disagree Treatment by the Federal government The federal government treats veterans who served after 9/11 better than it treats veterans who served before 9/11 Treatment by the American public The American public treats veterans who served after 9/11 better than it treats veterans who served before 9/11 GfK November 8, 2016 Title of presentation 17
Survey Cooperation Enhancements 18
Non-response follow-up As a standard, email reminders to non-responders were sent on day three of the field period. Beyond the standard email reminder on day three of the field period, the following steps were also taken: Additional email reminders to non-responders were sent on days # 9 and 15 of the field period; Telephone reminder calls by professional interviewers were made to non-responders starting on days #5 and 12 of the field period.
Methods Screener cooperation rate of 59.2%; 1,701 total qualified completes 100% Percentage Of Total Qualified Completes By Day 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 E-mail Reminder Telephone Reminder Unweighted cases 20
Methods 100% Percentage Of Total Qualified Completes By Sample By Day 80% 60% 40% 20% WWII & Korean War Era Vietnam Era Pre 9/11 Era Post 9/11 Era 0% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Unweighted cases; WWII & Korean War Era n=136, Vietnam Era n=736; Pre 9/11 Era n=393, Post 9/11 n=222 21
Conclusions and Discussions 22
Conclusions and Discussion The study points to a general positive impact veterans have of their service However, there is widespread belief the promises made to veterans have not been kept with respect to benefits Veterans are eager to share their experiences, post 9/11 vets harder to contact 23
Thank you! Contact: Bob Torongo, Ryan Tully email: bob.torongo@gfk.com, ryan.tully@gfk.com 24