Overview
Title
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The DoD wants to make sure families of military members can get the special help they need when they move to new places, so they are asking people what they think about checking forms to find out what help is needed and available. They are still figuring out how much this will cost and who will pay for it.
Summary AI
The Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This proposal involves the Family Member Travel Screening, which uses DD Forms 3040 series to assess special medical, dental, and educational needs of military family members accompanying service members to certain duty stations. The process will help determine the availability of necessary services at these locations. Public comments will be accepted until February 5, 2025.
Abstract
The DoD has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document is a notice from the Department of Defense (DoD), presented as part of the requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act, inviting public comment on a proposal related to the Family Member Travel Screening process. This process evaluates the needs of military family members traveling to remote assignments or installations outside the continental United States. The goal is to ensure that the necessary medical, dental, and educational services are available at these new duty locations.
General Summary
The notice describes the reinstatement of the information collection process utilizing a series of forms (DD Forms 3040 through 3040-4) that gather data on the special needs of dependents of active-duty service members. This proposal is part of an effort mandated by prior legislation to adequately support military families when they are assigned to new posts. Comments on the proposal are invited from the public through February 5, 2025.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One of the notable concerns in the document is the lack of detail regarding the financial implications of the proposed information collection. There is no information about the overall cost or who will bear it, which makes it challenging for stakeholders to evaluate potential fiscal impacts. Additionally, the document uses technical language that may not be easily understandable to a general audience, potentially limiting effective public engagement.
The document describes the respondents' obligation as "voluntary," yet it does not clarify what, if any, consequences may arise from non-participation, creating ambiguity around this aspect. Moreover, while the document references various regulations and legislative acts, it could benefit from clearer explanations of these references and how they integrate with the proposal, which would help the public better understand the proposal's legal and practical context.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this proposal, if enacted efficiently, could benefit military families by ensuring their special needs are addressed before moving to a new station. However, the complexity and lack of clarity in the document could hinder the public's ability to provide informed feedback, potentially leading to decisions that are not fully optimized to serve those needs.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For military families, this process is crucial as it aims to ensure that their unique needs are met, ultimately supporting family stability and service member readiness. However, the ambiguous nature of the voluntary participation may deter some families from participating due to fear of potential unknown consequences.
Military departments and the DoD's administrative arms are also stakeholders in this process, as they are responsible for implementing the screening and ensuring services are available—or potentially having to address gaps in services identified through this process. Clarity and efficient communication regarding the proposal and its requirements are essential for operational effectiveness.
In conclusion, while the DoD's efforts aim to support military families through this screening process, the proposal could benefit from greater transparency and simplicity to ensure broader understanding and engagement from the public and other stakeholders.
Issues
• The document does not provide any cost estimates or financial implications for the proposed information collection, making it difficult to assess potential wasteful spending.
• The description of the forms and their purpose could be more straightforward, as the language used is somewhat complex and technical, potentially hindering understanding.
• The document does not specify who will bear the cost of the data collection process, which may be important for assessing fiscal responsibility.
• It is unclear how the effectiveness and efficiency of the Family Member Travel Screening process will be evaluated after implementation.
• The use of the term 'voluntary' for respondent's obligation is ambiguous without further clarification on potential consequences for non-participation.
• While the document refers to various regulations and instructions, it could benefit from a more explicit explanation of how these integrate into the current proposal and their direct implications.