A positive, mission-focused work environment is crucial for our readiness and resilience. Registration is now officially open for survey administrators to set up their unit's annual 2026 Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS), to help commands systematically assess, address, and improve organizational climate.
While administrators can begin registering and prepping their surveys immediately, the actual survey window for members to participate will open starting August 1, 2026, and must be completed by November 30, 2026.
The DEOCS is a critical tool that provides every Coast Guard member an opportunity to express their opinions regarding their command climate. Ultimately, the results equip leadership with the insights needed to identify areas of concern, improve unit cohesion, and counter sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other harmful behaviors across the Service.
Here is what you need to know about this year's DEOCS fielding window, which runs from August 1 to November 30, 2026.
Key Dates & Participation
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When does it happen? The annual fielding window is August 1 through November 30, 2026. All units, directorates, and offices must complete the survey by the November 30 deadline.
Guidance for Survey Administrators
Proper setup is key to ensuring your unit receives actionable, anonymous data. Before registering, administrators must review the size and structure of their unit to determine the best approach:
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Unit Type
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Administration Guidance
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Large Units (35+ members)
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Must administer their own standalone survey to maintain data consistency. Consider creating subgroups for different departments/divisions to isolate specific climate issues.
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Small Units (<35 members)
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Must be included under their parent unit as a subgroup. This increases the likelihood of receiving results while protecting member anonymity.
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Reserve Components (>35)
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It is highly recommended to conduct a separate, dedicated DEOCS to better understand and address reserve-specific issues.
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Reporting Thresholds
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A minimum of 16 respondents must complete the survey for an individual unit to receive a report. For subgroups, at least 5 responses are required to generate a separate report.
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Administrator Action Checklist
If you are tasked with administering your unit's DEOCS, please follow these steps to ensure a smooth rollout:
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Complete the Training: Administrators must complete the "How to Conduct a Command Climate Assessment and Administer the Defense Organizational Climate Survey" course. You can access this via Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) at: https://jkodirect.jten.mil/Atlas2/page/login/Login.jsf
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Use Your OPFAC: When registering your unit’s survey, you must use your unit's five-digit OPFAC as the Unit Code. Failure to do so may result in your unit's completion not being properly documented by the Coast Guard.
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Register on the Portal: Visit the DoD Office of People Analytics' DEOCS Portal to register. The portal also features comprehensive user guides and interactive dashboards to help you administer and interpret your results.
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Track Completion: Unit-level tracking for registration and completion will be available on the Coast Guard DEOCS SharePoint site during the survey window.
Questions?
For additional resources on registering your DEOCS, visit the survey resource center on prevention.mil.
For direct USCG assistance, please contact the Survey Administration POC: Ms. Flora Wesley at Jeyanthiflora.Wesley@uscg.mil.
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