Overview
Title
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Navy Department wants to collect information from people to help make their job application and retirement plans better and faster. They are asking everyone to share their thoughts on how this will work, but they should make sure everyone can send in their thoughts easily, even if they don't have a computer.
Summary AI
The Department of the Navy, Department of Defense has issued a 60-day notice to collect public comments on a planned information collection, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection supports the Marine Corps Community Service in managing the recruitment and hiring process efficiently and helps retirees update their medical and retirement plans using NAVMC Form 12000/499. Public comments are requested by February 28, 2025, and can be submitted through various methods, as detailed in the notice. The initiative aims to ease processes for applicants and retirees by leveraging the Non-Appropriated Fund Human Resource Management System (NAF HRMS) to reduce processing times and improve the user experience.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States Marine Corps announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document under consideration announces a 60-day comment period for a proposed information collection effort led by the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense. This initiative seeks to gather public feedback, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, concerning the necessity, clarity, and burden of a new information collection related to the Marine Corps Community Service (MCCS). The aim is to improve the efficacy of recruiting and hiring processes and to facilitate updates by retirees to their benefits.
General Summary
The Department of Defense, specifically the Navy, has put forth a notice requesting public comment on a proposed information collection that supports the administrative processes within the Marine Corps Community Service. This includes using a form, NAVMC Form 12000/499, for retirees to change their medical, retirement, and insurance plans. The information gathered via the Non-Appropriated Fund Human Resource Management System (NAF HRMS) is intended to streamline employment application processes and enhance overall efficiency. Stakeholders have until February 28, 2025, to submit their comments and suggestions for the proposed collection method through various channels such as mail or an online portal.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues arise from the document that may impact its reception and effectiveness:
Transparency: There is a lack of transparency regarding how the annual burden hours (35,002 hours) and the number of respondents (70,003) were determined. This omission might lead to skepticism about the workload estimates.
Access and Participation: The primary method for comment submission is through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, potentially excluding individuals without internet access and thus limiting public participation.
Privacy Concerns: The document lacks details on how personal information included in comments will be protected, raising concerns about privacy for potential commenters.
Financial Considerations: There is no discussion regarding the potential costs associated with implementing the NAF HRMS, which may be critical for tax-payers and stakeholders to understand.
Complex Terminology: Terms like "Non-Appropriated Fund Human Resource Management System" and "OMB Control No. 0712-0007" are specialized and might confuse the general public unfamiliar with these concepts.
Target Audience Clarification: The document does not clearly differentiate the purpose of information collection from businesses versus individuals, which could lead to confusion about obligations for each group.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this initiative could affect both individuals and organizations that interact with Marine Corps Community Service. For individuals, mainly retirees and job applicants, it promises a more efficient and user-friendly experience when applying for positions or managing benefits. This could lead to faster processing times and fewer points of frustration in their interactions with the MCCS.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Applicants and Retirees: The new system could significantly enhance the efficiency of job applications and benefit updates. Applicants may benefit from reduced processing times and fewer follow-up inquiries, while retirees could find managing their benefits more straightforward.
Businesses: Companies that may contract with the Marine Corps Community Service could face new reporting requirements, but these are not clearly outlined in the document. Understanding these requirements will be critical once clarified.
General Public: For those interested in providing their views on this initiative, the lack of explicit privacy protections and potential barriers to accessing the comment submission process could discourage participation.
The notice effectively signals a step forward in modernizing administrative processes but requires careful consideration of the aforementioned issues to maximize its success and public acceptance.
Issues
• The document does not specify how the estimated annual burden hours and the number of respondents were calculated, which might affect transparency.
• The method of submitting comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal might exclude those without internet access, which could limit public participation.
• The document does not provide details on how personal information submitted for comments will be protected, which might be a privacy concern for some individuals.
• There is no discussion of potential costs associated with implementing the Non-Appropriated Fund Human Resource Management System (NAF HRMS), which might be relevant for stakeholders.
• The document uses specialized terms such as 'Non-Appropriated Fund Human Resource Management System (NAF HRMS)' and 'OMB Control No. 0712-0007' without additional explanation, which might be confusing for individuals unfamiliar with these terms.
• The purpose of collecting information from both businesses and individuals isn't explicitly distinguished, which could lead to confusion about the specific obligations of each group.