Readiness in Connection
Enhancing Oregon National Guard Well‑being
Readiness in Connection is a research partnership between the Oregon Institute of Occupatinal Helath Sciences at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and Portland State University (PSU) working with the Oregon National Guard to strengthen connection, reduce stress, and support readiness.
Get Started: Email resultstudy@ohsu.edu for a secure survey link.
What this study is about
OHSU and PSU are working with the Oregon National Guard to better understand what helps service members and families stay connected, manage stress, and stay mission‑ready. Your input directly shapes future support and resources across the Guard.
Highlights include:
- Designed for ORNG service members, civilian employees, and contractors
- Spouses/partners can participate too
- Surveys are online, voluntary, confidential, and off‑duty
Principal investigators:
- Dr. Leslie Hammer (Oregon Health and Science University)
- Dr. Cynthia Mohr (Portland State University)
What you do
What’s involved:
- Complete 3 online surveys across 12 months
- 20 minutes each, off duty
- Spouse/partner survey is also available
- Additional survey and compensation available through PSU study
- All surveys are voluntary and confidential
What it matters:
Your feedback helps improve real‑world support programs for Guard members and families statewide.
Spouses and partners
Your voice matters, too.
Spouses and partners help us understand how connection and stress show up at home. Spouse & partner surveys follow the same format, compensation, and privacy protections.
How spouses/partners can join:
- Service members can add their spouse or partner’s email when signing up
- Or spouses & partner can email us at resultstudy@ohsu.edu
Compensation
Service Members
- $25 Amazon e‑gift card per survey
- Up to $75 total for 3 surveys
Spouses/Partners
- Also $25 per survey
- Also Up to $75 total
Extra PSU Opportunity (Service Members Only)
- $25 per survey (3 surveys = $75)
- Up to $93 for daily 3‑minute check‑ins over 21 days
Note: PSU spots limited: 500 survey slots, 250 daily check‑in slots.
Privacy & security
Your Privacy Comes First
- Data stored on secure OHSU servers
- Only the research team has access
- Your name is never used together with your survey responses – only code numbers
- No individual responses are shared
- Most questions are optional
How to join
Ready to participate?
Get the link or QR code from your unit commander or email us for secure access. Contact us at: resultstudy@ohsu.edu.
For the PSU study, email orngstudy@pdx.edu
Contact and FAQs
Have more questions?
Check our FAQ or reach out anytime.
- OHSU Team: resultstudy@ohsu.edu | 503‑494‑3209
- PSU Team: orngstudy@pdx.edu | 503‑725‑3986
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Who’s conducting this study?
This project is funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) and led by
- Dr. Leslie Hammer (Oregon Health and Science University)
- Dr. Cynthia Mohr (Portland State University)
Drs. Hammer and Mohr have been partnering with the ORNG for over a decade. Both universities and the DoD have approved this research.
Who can participate?
We’re inviting all ORNG members—Army or Air, full-time or part-time. This includes:
- M-Day/DSG
- AGR
- Military Technicians (including Title 32)
- Title 5 civilians
- Contractors
We are also inviting spouses/partners to complete their own surveys.
I’m a leader. Can I take the surveys?
Yes. Everyone in the ORNG can participate.
What do I have to do?
You’ll take three short online surveys:
- One now
- One 6 months later
- One 12 months from now
Each takes about 20 minutes and can be completed on your smart phone.
What will the surveys ask about?
You’ll see questions about:
- Work life
- Family life
- Health and daily habits
Some are factual, like age or ORNG status; others ask your opinions. You can skip any question except a few basic eligibility items.
Will my chain of command see my answers?
No. Only the certified research team sees your survey responses. Everything is stored on secure OHSU servers, and your answers are deidentified for analysis. Your contact info (email, etc.) is kept separate.
What do I get for participating?
You can earn up to $75 in Amazon ecards:
- $25 for each survey (three total).
Can I do the survey at work?
No. Because of financial incentives, regulations require you to complete the surveys off duty.
Can you text me the survey link?
Yes. You can choose to get survey invitations and reminders via text. You’ll still get an email version—just make sure to complete only one. You can opt out of texting anytime.
Can the Amazon ecards be texted too?
No. They must be sent by email.
Can my spouse or partner participate?
Yes. If you’re married or have lived with your partner for at least 6 months, they’re invited to join. They also earn $25 per survey (up to $75 total).
My spouse/partner is also in the ORNG—can they still join?
Yes. They’ll complete the survey as a Service Member, not as a spouse. We can link your responses.
What if I drop out later?
You can leave the study anytime. You’ll keep any incentives you’ve already earned. You simply won’t receive further payments.
What if my spouse/partner doesn’t do their survey?
No problem—you can still participate. It helps our research when both partners take part, but it’s completely voluntary.
Can I complete my spouse’s survey for them?
No. Each person must answer their own survey.
Can you tell me more about the PSU study—what’s that about?
Yes – our partners at Portland State University are conducting another study called The Readiness Pulse Study. Some details are provided below.
- Goal: To understand daily readiness signals over time so the ORNG can better support overall well‑being and mission readiness.
- Your Commitment: Three short online check‑ins across the year (about 15–30 minutes each).
- Compensation: $25 gift card for each check‑in (up to $75 total).
- Optional Daily Check-ins: You may also choose to complete quick 5–10 minute daily check‑ins that collect real‑time readiness info. Participants can earn up to an additional $93 for these.
If you are interested in participating or have questions, their contact information is below:
Email: orngstudy@pdx.edu
Phone: 503‑725‑3986
-
Who’s conducting this study?
This project is funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) and led by
- Dr. Leslie Hammer (Oregon Health and Science University)
- Dr. Cynthia Mohr (Portland State University)
Drs. Hammer and Mohr have been partnering with the ORNG for over a decade. Both universities and the DoD have approved this research.
Who can join?
We’re inviting spouses and partners of ORNG members and employees—Army or Air, full‑time or part‑time, including civilians and contractors. You just need to have lived together for at least 6 months. No need to be legally married.
I also work for the ORNG. Can I join twice?
If you’re an ORNG member/employee yourself, we prefer you join through the member/employee version of the study instead of as a spouse/partner. Email resultstudy@ohsu.edu and we’ll send you the right link. We can still link your surveys with your partner’s.
What would I need to do?
You’ll complete three short online surveys:
- One now
- One in 6 months
- One in 12 months
Each takes about 15–20 minutes. You can stop at any time.
What kinds of questions are included?
Questions cover:
- Work life
- Family life
- Health habits
Some are factual (like age), and some ask for your opinions. You can skip anything you’re not comfortable answering.
Will my partner’s leadership see my answers?
No. Your responses are confidential. Only trained research staff can view them, and data is stored securely at OHSU. Your contact info is kept separate from your survey answers. Results are shared only in aggregate form.
What do I get for participating?
You can earn up to $75 — $25 for each completed survey. Survey links come by email.
Can I take the survey at work?
No — since there’s a financial incentive, it must be done outside your work/duty hours.
Can you text me the survey?
No. Our software only allows us to text one member of a couple.
Can the Amazon e‑card be texted?
No — we can only send it by email.
What if I want to drop out later?
You can withdraw anytime. You keep any incentives you’ve already earned but won’t receive new ones if you stop.
What if my partner doesn’t want to participate?
Totally fine. Participation is voluntary. Your involvement still matters and is welcome.
Can I take the survey for my partner?
No — each person needs to complete their own.
Interested in joining or have questions?
Email: RESULTstudy@ohsu.edu
Phone: 503‑494‑3209
This work is funded by the U.S. Department of War; grant number: HT9425-25-1-0668
The appearance of U.S. Department of War visual information does not imply or constitute DOW endorsement.