WASHINGTON –
Capital Guardians, your voice has the power to shape the future of the District of Columbia National Guard. Beginning Sept. 8, 2026, the D.C. National Guard's annual Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) fielding window will open, giving every Capital Guardian an opportunity to speak candidly about the environment in which they serve and work.
Your participation matters.
The DEOCS is one of the most significant tools available to D.C. National Guard leaders to understand what is happening across the force — what is working, where challenges exist and where meaningful change is needed.
This is more than a survey. It is an opportunity to influence the climate and culture of your unit and help shape the future of the organization.
Why the DEOCS Matters
The DEOCS gives Capital Guardians an opportunity to candidly share their experiences and perspectives, providing leadership with a clearer picture of what is happening throughout the organization.
The survey addresses critical areas of organizational climate, including trust in leadership, morale, fairness, respect and cohesion.
Those issues directly affect how we work together, how we accomplish the mission and whether our Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees have an environment in which they can succeed.
When you complete the DEOCS, you are providing leaders with information they need to understand the challenges Capital Guardians experience every day.
You are not simply answering questions. You are providing information that can drive decisions, shape priorities and lead to meaningful change.
Your role in that process is not passive. It is active. Your participation is not simply encouraged — it is essential.
Your Feedback Is Confidential
We understand that one of the biggest concerns when completing a survey is whether feedback will remain confidential.
No one in your chain of command will see your individual responses.
Your candid feedback is necessary to provide an accurate picture of the organizational climate. The DEOCS process is designed to protect the confidentiality of participants, allowing Capital Guardians to provide honest feedback without fear of reprisal.
That confidentiality matters because leadership needs an accurate assessment of the organization — not simply what we think is happening, but what you tell us you are experiencing.
Your Voice Can Drive Change
The significance of the DEOCS does not end when the survey closes. The results inform action. DEOCS results help leaders identify strengths, recognize emerging concerns and develop action plans to address issues affecting our people and our units.
Previous surveys have helped leadership better understand how policies, programs and resources can be designed to prevent harmful interpersonal behaviors and improve the organizational climate. They have also helped identify ways to remove barriers for individuals seeking assistance and connect Capital Guardians with the support and resources they need.
That is why participation matters. The greater the participation, the more complete the picture leadership receives. Every additional voice strengthens our understanding of the force and our ability to act.
Ten Minutes Can Make a Difference
The 2026 DEOCS takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, but its impact can extend far beyond those 10 minutes. When the survey opens Sept. 8, take the time to participate. Encourage your fellow Capital Guardians to do the same.
The more voices represented, the stronger and more accurate the results will be. Your feedback helps us understand what is working. Your feedback helps us identify what needs attention.
And your feedback helps us build a stronger D.C. National Guard. Every Soldier, Airman and civilian employee has a stake in the climate and culture of this organization — and every Capital Guardian has a voice in making it better.
It's your organization. It's your voice. It's your future. Make it count. Take the DEOCS.