DOD officials release tri-service academy climate survey data Published March 18, 2005 By Tech. Sgt. David A. Jablonski Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- Department of Defense officials released survey data from the three service academies March 18 on the climate of sexual harassment and assault among cadets and midshipmen.During the spring of 2004, the DOD inspector general conducted the survey at the military service academies in response to a requirement for an annual assessment in conjunction with the Defense Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Violence.The survey provided information on cadet values, academy climate, sexual harassment and sexual assault, the scope of recent sexual assault incidents and factors that affect sexual assault at the service academies. The results signaled another step in the Air Force Academy's effort to eliminate sexual assault and any climate that fosters it, officials said.Most notably, female Air Force cadets held the majority view that men and women are treated fairly overall. Respondents included 653 women and 992 men who provided useful insights into the culture, as it existed then.Officials said it also provided some validation the academy is on the right path, and offered sufficient information to continue improving character-based leadership development of cadets.Peter B. Teets, acting secretary of the Air Force, has absolute confidence in the leadership ability of our academy superintendent, Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa, and his continuing focus on leadership and character development, said Michael L. Dominguez, assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs."While this data is a year old, it reinforces the importance of the agenda for change and our continued focus on officership in the context of our core values: integrity, service, and excellence," he said.The survey is just one of many data points in the academy's ongoing efforts to measure its progress, he said."We expect future annual surveys to reflect the profound cultural changes we are bringing about at our academy," Mr. Dominguez said. "The survey reinforces the utility of centering our efforts on developing officers of character."Defense Manpower and Data Center officials will conduct the next survey April 25 to 29 and every year through 2008.The complete DOD survey is available at www.dodig.osd.mil.