Soldiers give Army life failing grade

From Chris Plante
CNN National Security Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A worldwide survey by the military of more than 13,000 U.S. Army officers suggests soldiers are not at all pleased with the Army life.

The survey group reported the Army's leadership, training, professional demands and housing were all unsatisfactory. In particular:

• Officers fault leadership for being disengaged "micromanagers" who do not trust or mentor subordinates.

• "Army culture is out of balance," according to the findings, and Army demands are not proportionate with the commitment the Army offers to its soldiers and their families.

• More than 50 percent of those surveyed felt their combat training was substandard.

• Nearly 40 percent said their housing was "not at all" adequate, with only about 12 percent expressing significant satisfaction.

• Fewer than 8 percent reported satisfaction with the "balance between work and family," while nearly 40 percent said they were "not at all" satisfied with the balance.

Soldiers also complained about too many deployments, exercises and poor orchestration and scheduling.

The Army has for some time been suffering from a virtual exodus of mid-grade officers who are fleeing the Army for civilian life. Army officers in the Pentagon regularly gripe to reporters about the sad state of affairs and lack of leadership in the largest of the military services.

One Army officer told CNN on Friday that he and other senior officers are "waiting for the train wreck" to occur that they see as "inevitable."

The survey is the first the Army has conducted in about 15 years. It is to be the basis for corrective action, according to Army officials.

While most of the complaints speak to the cultural failings of the Army and its leadership, some -- such as training issues -- are matters that might be corrected through additional funding, the report says.

The survey was conducted by the Army Training and Leader Development Panel.

While this study included only commissioned officers, future surveys are planned for non-commissioned officers and warrant officers, the report says.