Overview
Title
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Defense wants to collect some special forms from families who have lost military members to help plan funerals, and they are asking for permission from another important office called the OMB to do this. People have until February 10, 2025, to say if they think this is a good or bad idea.
Summary AI
The Department of Defense (DoD) has sent a proposal to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve their plan for gathering information under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This information collection involves forms related to mortuary affairs, which document the arrangements and decisions made by families of deceased military personnel. The forms help the DoD manage the care and transportation of remains, as well as provide military funeral honors. The public has until February 10, 2025, to submit comments on this proposal.
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 in question is a notice from the Department of Defense (DoD) regarding a proposal submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This proposal calls for the clearance of an information collection plan pertaining to mortuary affairs, under the guidelines of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
General Overview
This notice outlines the DoD's intention to gather and document detailed information related to deceased military personnel. The documentation includes various forms that serve multiple purposes, such as identifying remains, managing their transportation, and facilitating military funeral honors. Public comments on this proposal are welcomed until February 10, 2025.
Key Issues and Concerns
Several significant issues emerge from this notice. The language used throughout the document may be too technical and laden with jargon, making it potentially inaccessible to the general public. It relies on a series of forms, each with specific functions, without providing clear explanations or contexts for their use. This lack of clarity is likely to confuse readers unfamiliar with the subject matter, particularly those who have never navigated military bureaucratic procedures.
Further concerns include potential perceptions of the proposal as being burdensome or intrusive, given the sensitive nature of the information being requested. Additionally, the document does not specify measures for securing the collected data, inviting privacy concerns. There is also an absence of justification for revising the current information collection process, which may lead individuals to question the necessity and efficiency of these changes. Notably absent is a cost analysis, which could raise fears of unnecessary government spending.
Furthermore, although participation is stated as voluntary, the document does not detail what, if any, consequences might follow from a decision not to participate. This omission might leave families of deceased personnel uncertain about whether or not to engage with the process.
Impact on the Public
Broadly speaking, this information collection initiative could experience mixed reactions from the public. Families affected by this proposal might appreciate the DoD's structured approach to handling the remains and associated processes for their deceased loved ones. Proper documentation can lead to more systematic management and, potentially, offer grieving families some solace knowing that the military honors their deceased kin appropriately.
Specific Stakeholders
For families of deceased military personnel, the document's requirements might evoke both trust and apprehension. Families might feel comforted by the thorough procedures, which could ensure dignity and respect for their loved ones. On the other hand, the burden of completing multiple forms may seem overwhelming during their time of grief.
Military administrators and personnel who manage mortuary affairs may benefit from having standardized forms that streamline procedures and record-keeping. These records provide essential data to uphold military customs and ensure that protocol is maintained consistently.
In conclusion, while this document aims to enhance the efficacy of mortuary affairs handled by the DoD, it also introduces concerns relating to privacy, clarity, and cost. The lack of transparent communication about these aspects might overshadow potential positive outcomes that arise from collecting information in a structured and organized manner.
Issues
• The document contains complex language and jargon, which might be difficult for the general public to understand without additional context or guidance.
• The document mentions various forms (DD Forms 0565, 3045, 3046, etc.) without providing a clear, concise explanation of each form's purpose, which could be confusing to readers unfamiliar with these documents.
• The proposal for information collection may be seen as burdensome or intrusive by the affected public, as it requires detailed documentation and personal information related to sensitive topics such as the deceased and their families.
• The document lacks specific information on how the collected data will be securely stored, accessed, or shared, raising potential privacy concerns.
• The document provides no justification or explanation for the revision of the information collection, which could lead to questions about the necessity and efficiency of the changes.
• There is no cost analysis included for the implementation of this information collection process, which might raise concerns about potential wasteful spending.
• Although the document indicates the voluntary nature of participation, there is no detailed explanation of potential consequences or impacts on individuals who choose not to participate, leading to ambiguity for those deciding whether to respond.