To document the writing practices, opinions, and perceptions of a particular segment of professionals in the work force, a study surveyed Department of Defense middle managers working for the United States Air Force. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 234 middle managers who had completed a one-week formal in-house writing program, and by 124 who had not. The survey results indicated that (1) respondents spent between 25% and 40% of a typical workday in writing activities; (2) the most useful instruction for their current writing was informal on-the-job training; (3) 21% of those who had completed a formal in-house writing program chose it as the most useful instruction for current writing; (4) 56% of respondents listed English composition courses or technical writing courses as the best elements of their educational backgrounds in preparing them for current job writing; (5) 43% believed they had problems writing on the job; (6) there appeared to be an equal place for both on-the-job training and more college level/formal writing courses; and (7) respondents identified purpose of message, audience analysis, organizing for writing, grammar and syntax, and mechanics as the most important writing skills. (Six tables of data are included, and 13 references are attached.) (SR)