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Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL TOPICS
EMPLOYMENT
Responses to Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL TOPICS
Q. How can I get an ARI product or publication or find out about Library loans or related questions?
A. Thank you for your interest, The material may be on the ARI Website: http://www.ari.army.mil. Try the Search feature, located on the top of the page. You are most welcomed to download and to make copies. However other publication not on the site are stored electronically. There are two options: 1) Ask your university librarian to try to find other libraries that own these reports and try to borrow them (the ARI Library copies are on microfiche and do not circulate); and 2) you can purchase them from DTIC by calling 703-767-8274 (You will need the ADA numbers for each report in order to request them. Those numbers are in the full citations in the ARI Library catalog, or at http://stinet.dtic.mil (Scientific and Technical Information Network). NOTE: you won't be able to order from the website unless you are a registered user, or if your library has an account they might be able to help you here also. Try the stinet website first as some newer reports are available in full text online.
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Q. Can I get an eMail address or phone number for a staff person at ARI.?
A. Your request should be sent to webadmin@ari.army.mil, it is then forwarded to the party for response. Disclosure of an eMail address is voluntary. It is solicited under Executive Order 9397, for the sole purpose of delivering the requested information to you. If not provided, we cannot deliver this information by email.
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Q. How do I obtain an out of country (foreign source) inquiry for information?
A. All inquiries for materials should be through the U.S. State Department. Thank you for your interest.
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Q. Where can I get older, past copies of ARI products?
A. Copies of recent (last 5 years) reports can usually be obtained from ARI. For older reports you may obtain copies through either DTIC or NTIS. The following is taken directly from each agencies website.
http://www.dtic.mil
The Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC®) is the central facility for the collection and dissemination of scientific and technical information for the Department of Defense (DoD).
To utilize DTIC's products and services you must be a registered user.
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Q. Who is eligible to register for DTIC® Services?
A. You are eligible to register if you:
- are an employee of a DoD organization, DoD contractor or potential DoD contractor.
- are an employee of a U.S. Federal Government agency or U.S. Federal Government contractor.
- are a university or college funded by DoD or a U.S. Federal Government agency for research throughout the U.S.
If you are not eligible to register with DTIC, you can, however, view citations to unclassified/unlimited technical reports included in DTIC's collection since late Dec. 1974 through DTIC's Public STINET service. You can also place orders for documents through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).
http://www.ntis.gov/
NTIS is the largest central resource for government-funded scientific, technical, engineering, and business related information available today. Here you will find information on more than 600,000 information products covering over 350 subject areas from over 200 federal agencies.
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Q. How can I obtain information for press / media?
A. All requests for media material or information concerning ARI must be addressed to the Public Affairs Office (PAO) for the Human Resource Command. Send your inquiry directly to the PAO: Lawrencs@hoffman-emh1.army.mil
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Q. How can I get a copy of the Combat Leaders Guide?
A. The publication you desire was researched and developed by ARI the Combat Leaders' Guide is no longer produced. You are most welcomed to download the full text copy from the ARI site: http://www.ari.army.mil/ (Research, Leader Development) Click on the title for the PDF version to download or printout (about 229 pages).
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Q. How can I reach a member of the ARI staff?
A. Send an eMail inquiry to the Web Administrator (WebAdmin@ari.army.mil) with persons name and any other information. Your message will be forwarded for attention.
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Q. Where can I find someone to help on a Web site function / or an alert to a problem?
A. Please contact the Web Administrator: WebManager@ari.army.mil. Furnish details on the situation for a direct response.
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Q. Where can I find information to a non-ARI question?
A. The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is the Army's lead research laboratory for training, leader development, and personnel research. ARI conducts Army wide attitude and opinion surveys and occupational analysis. For general questions concerning the U.S. Army, consider: http://www.army.mil/, or for the Federal Government: http://www.firstgov.gov/.
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EMPLOYMENT
Your interest in ARI is appreciated. There may be current recruiting actions for positions. Consult the website for the Civilian Personal Office (CPO), http://www.cpol.army.mil/, click on employment, then open vacancy announcements; select the desired area, under options choose either series 180, research psychologist; or series 1530 survey statistician. All applications must go through an approved CPO process, which is outlined on the CPO web.
Q. Do I have to join the Army or have a military background?
A. No. All ARI scientists are Department of Defense civilian employees. There is not a civil service exam for these positions, but there is a background check, to ensure that you are eligible for a secret clearance. For more information about the security clearance process, visit: www.dss.mil/psi/faq.htm.
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Q. Where is ARI located?
A. ARI Headquarters is located in Alexandria, VA and there are 6 Field Units at FT Leavenworth, KS; FT Benning, GA; Boise, ID; FT Rucker, AL; Orlando, FL; and FT Knox, KY. At the end of this document is a description of the work conducted at each of these locations.
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Q. How do I know when there is a job opportunity available? How do I apply?
A. Jobs are posted at USAJOBS on the Office of Personnel Management website www.opm.gov (click on Career Opportunities and USA JOBS).
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Q. What type of research projects does ARI conduct?
A. There is great variability in research that differs on at least three dimensions. First is the topic. Some research units examine specific topics such as leadership, training, simulations, and selection while others cut across topics to study a particular area or proponent such as armor, infantry, and reserve soldiers. The second dimension is the degree of applied research. The basic research office does basic research across a plethora of topics. Research units that focus on a specific topics conduct research that informs Army policy makers, but may or may not be designed to have a specific application. The research units aligned with training facilities, schools, or agencies often do research to solve a specific problem. The third dimension is a continuum of involvement. At one extreme, researchers design research projects and collect and analyze data. At the other extreme, researchers monitor contracts given to highly qualified contracting organizations or academics that require limited direct involvement in the research process. Most researchers work in the middle of this continuum.
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Q. What are some of ARI's past/current major research projects?
A. There are a variety of different research projects, everything from determining best selection practices to training helicopter pilots. The best way to get a feel for what ARI does is go to our website and skim through what ARI calls our external work package.
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Q. What factors determine which research projects are undertaken?
A. Numerous factors determine the choice of research projects and the type of research unit influences these factors. A few of the factors include Army interest and need, research unit program of research, researcher interests and expertise, research opportunities, and funding.
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Q. How is work set up? Specifically are there work teams, or is it individual?
A. All researchers work interdependently with others. These others may be fellow ARI scientists, contractors, military personnel, graduate student fellows, or a combination of these.
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Q. What is it like to work for the military (e.g. organizational culture)? How does this position differ from a similar one in a private research firm, from academia, from business? What is seen as the positive and negative aspects of working at ARI over other options?
A. Research at a military laboratory differs from all other types of research environments. These differences reflect the organizational culture. ARI researchers consult closely with military personnel, but only two Army officers are assigned to ARI. The organization is more than 90% Ph.D. researchers (psychologists, sociologists, economists) and the general atmosphere reflects a group of researchers working together. Compared to academia, the military research environment is more structured. Compared to a business or consulting firm, the military research environment is more flexible. Military researchers have flexibility to work in areas that hold personal interest, but within the boundary of Army needs. Researchers can easily see direct or indirect links between their work and Army needs. Your work can directly impact the lives of thousands of soldiers and their families. There is also the opportunity to work in collaboration with a wide variety of people including Military leadership, other military services, contractors, and academics. There are plenty of travel opportunities and resources are seldom a problem. Defining positives and negatives is difficult because employees value different organizational aspects. A universally accepted positive is the retirement benefits (401k-like program with matching funds in addition to a small pension and social security) and job security compared to private industry.
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Q. What are options for work schedules? Specifically, is there any flexibility of when I can work?
A. Work schedule options vary by location. The work hours are very predictable. In general, flexible work scheduling is permitted. Employees can schedule their start and stop times as long as core hours are observed. Some employees are also eligible for a work schedule that allows working 9 hours day and taking one day off every two-week pay period.
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Q. Do I have to travel?
A. Most positions required some degree of travel that varies from 10 to 25 percent. Personal preferences and particular research projects influence the degree of travel.
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Q. What resources are available (e.g. library, copiers, computers, travel fund etc.)?
A. ARI headquarters (Alexandria) has a library on site. Field units have their own smaller libraries, access to online military library resources, and pretty good inter-library loan services. Generally, you will have your own workspace and computer. Computing resources are updated frequently. Other necessary support materials including copiers, faxes, printers, and supplies are readily available. Approved travel is fully-funded.
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Q. Do I work with students? What is the relationship between researchers and students?
A. ARI has a strong relationship with the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. This name is a quasi-misnomer since the consortium works with field units around the country. This consortium coordinates for "interns" who are government contractors. The interns are mostly graduate students. However, undergraduates, post-doctoral students and university faculty can also be contracted through the consortium to work with ARI. Students are assigned to work with a particular researcher although not all researchers have a student intern. Student-research relationships vary depending on the student's level of expertise and the research project. It is intended to be a mentoring relationship in which students are heavily involved in the research process.
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Q. What are the starting salaries?
A. Starting salaries vary based on location and General Schedule (GS) level with 10 steps within each level. Most entry-level scientists (with PhD or equivalent) begin at GS-12, Step 1. You can view the general pay schedule at www.opm.gov (Pay Tables ) Make sure you view the correct geographic location. You receive a step increase on each of the first three anniversaries of your employment. After three years you receive a step increase a minimum of every other year although other factors may increase your step progression.
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Q. Are there any types of performance appraisal systems?
A. Your supervisor conducts performance appraisals every year and bonuses are distributed at that time. A structured performance appraisal system is used.
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Q. To what extent are professional activities (conferences, publications, workshops) and continuing education supported/encouraged?
A. ARI has two types of publishing, internal and external. Internal publishing includes research notes and technical reports available through a military database. Everyone is expected and encouraged to publish research internally based on the work they do. External publishing, i.e., journal publications, is encouraged and supported, but not required for continued employment. Some degree of conference attendance is encouraged for topics consistent with your research area. Continuing education is strongly supported. Everyone is required to complete an Individual Development Plan that outlines your development goals and means for achieving them, including conference attendance.
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These FAQ for general guidance and information, if you have suggestions, please send to:.
Web Admin.: webadmin@ari.army.mil U.S. Army Research Institute
Revised: 11-04-03 ß this should be added to all pages.
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