Why were the nine risk factors and ten protective factors chosen to be measured by the DEOCS?

• A. They are the easiest to measure
• B. They are shared across the six strategic target outcomes
• C. They cover all possible behaviors
• D. They apply only to DoD civilians

Answer: (B)

The idea behind why those nine risk factors and ten protective factors were chosen is that they act as cross-cutting drivers of command climate across multiple areas. By focusing on factors that influence several strategic target outcomes, the DEOCS can provide a single, coherent picture of how the environment affects readiness, safety, morale, inclusion, and overall effectiveness. This shared footing lets leaders compare units, track trends over time, and benchmark performance, because the same factors matter across different domains. It isn’t about the easiest things to measure or trying to cover every possible behavior; it’s about selecting core factors that reliably influence multiple outcomes so the data are actionable and comparable. And the survey isn’t limited to a specific group like DoD civilians—it’s designed for all DoD personnel, including service members and civilians alike.