One Small Step for Space Acquisition Doctrine
questions are analyzed. Lastly, question-by-question inference analysis was performed to understand responses more granularly. As part of that analysis, sentiment and tenet alignment were discussed further. Demographics The 45 survey respondents displayed a broad range of rank (or grade equivalent), experience, and the number of acquisition organizations in which they were employed. The data showed a relatively even split among those in the O-1 to O-4 (or civilian equivalent) and O-5+ (or equivalent) ranks. Twenty participants fell into the first or “junior” category, and 24 were in the second or “senior” category. If a participant marked “Other” but was retired military or civilian, they were rolled into the larger group. Of note, one contractor asked to participate and was permitted, given their extensive acquisition background. Details on Rank/Grade are shown in Figure 9.
FIGURE 9. PARTICIPANT RANK AND GRADE EQUIVALENT
2%
O-1 to O-4 / GS-9 to GS-14 (or equivalent)
45%
O-5+ / GS-15+ (or equivalent)
53%
Other
Most respondents (38) were program managers, although three contracting and business operations professionals also responded. The “Other” category included four individuals who annotated engineering or multiple roles across the functions mentioned earlier in the study. Overall, the targeted survey participants were reached. Additionally, participants displayed a high level of experience, with approximately 80% having 8 or more years of acquisition experience. Participant expertise and years of experience can be found in Figures 10 and 11, respectively.
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Defense ARJ, Summer 2025, Vol. 32 No. 2: 132—193
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