This survey assesses the health and health-related behaviors of service members that have the potential to impact readiness. Results from scientific research using the data will be used to monitor service members’ needs, develop policies, and improve health programs and services for military members.

This survey takes about 20 minutes.

The Department of Defense asked the RAND Corporation and its data collection partner, Westat, to conduct an independent, objective assessment of service members’ health status and health related behaviors.

RAND is a private, nonprofit organization that conducts research and analysis to help improve public policy and decision-making.

Westat is a leading consulting services and technology solutions firm and manages the technical aspects of the web survey operations and can help you with any computer or technical problems.

You were randomly selected from all active duty and Coast Guard personnel to represent your Service branch in this important research.

We obtained your name from the Defense Manpower Data Center, which maintains DOD personnel records. Because we are doing an official, approved DOD survey, DMDC was authorized to give us military members’ names and contact information for research purposes only. We are just using your name to send you information about the survey via email and mail. Only study staff will be able to link your survey responses to your contact information via a unique survey ID code. The survey is confidential.

RAND will report survey findings in a way that does not identify individuals to the Services, DOD, or the public. The information you provide will be combined with that from other military personnel to prepare statistical reports. At no time will your individual data be reported.

This is your chance to be heard on issues that directly affect the health, well-being, and readiness of military members. The survey results will help inform DOD of potential health problems in the military and help suggest ways to solve or prevent them.

Yes. As noted earlier, this survey is confidential. This means that RAND and Westat will not give DOD information about who participated in the study, or provide your responses to them in a way that can identify you. DOD has agreed to this condition to protect your privacy.

Yes, you can use a computer at work to do the survey. You may also use a smartphone or tablet to complete the survey.

The survey is entirely voluntary. If you choose to take the survey, you may stop at any time. You may also skip any question you do not wish to answer.

Some service members may have completed surveys like this one in the past. This survey is conducted approximately every three years to get a comprehensive update about the health behaviors of military members. Since DOD wants to understand trends in members’ experiences in the Services, it is important that you participate in the 2024 Survey to tell us about your current health.

You should go to the following website link: https://2024hrbs.com and use your unique code to log in. If you have problems accessing the website, contact the Westat Help Desk listed above.

You may use the weblink above and your unique identification code to re-start the survey wherever you stop at a time that is more convenient for you.