Overview
Title
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Defense wants to check if collecting information for a program that helps soldiers practice real missions, like building bridges or setting up medical camps, is useful and how to make it better. They're asking people to let them know if it could be done more easily or clearly, but don't explain all the details of how they count the time or pick the missions.
Summary AI
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness is proposing to collect information in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. They seek public comments on whether the information collection is necessary and on ways to improve its quality and clarity. The collection is part of the Innovative Readiness Training program, which allows military personnel to engage in real-world missions that benefit communities, such as engineering and medical projects. The deadline for submitting comments is March 11, 2025.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the OUSD(P&R) 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 is a public notification from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. It announces the proposal to collect information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and invites public comments on the necessity and efficiency of this data collection effort. The information being collected supports the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program, which facilitates partnerships between the military and communities for mutual benefit through projects such as civil engineering and medical care.
General Summary
The Department of Defense (DoD) is proposing a new information collection initiative and is seeking feedback from the public. The focus of this proposal is the Innovative Readiness Training program, which involves training missions that provide communities with critical support and services. For communities, this represents an opportunity to gain access to essential services while offering military personnel valuable training experiences. The DoD is thus aiming to gather relevant data from communities interested in participating in these efforts.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A few important concerns arise from this document. Firstly, the estimate of 550 annual burden hours appears without detailed explanation, leading to potential questions about its accuracy and fairness. Equally, the estimated burden of 5.5 hours to complete the necessary forms could discourage potential respondents, as it seems rather lengthy without justification of what it encompasses.
Additionally, the document uses terms such as "potential training value and incidental community benefit" without clear definitions, which might cause misunderstandings about eligibility or program scope. Furthermore, references to statutory language, such as "10 U.S.C. 2012," could be perplexing to the general public due to a lack of explanation. Lastly, while there is mention of automated collection techniques to lighten respondents' load, the plan for implementing these technologies remains undeveloped in the document.
Public Impact
This initiative has the potential to positively impact communities by giving them access to military-related projects that can fill service gaps, like engineering or healthcare. By participating in these missions, communities stand to gain essential developments or services that might otherwise be inaccessible due to budget constraints or resource limitations.
Stakeholder Impact
For local governments, state agencies, and tribal entities, this represents an opportunity to engage with the DoD beneficially. However, they might face challenges engaging with the process if the paperwork burden is not adequately addressed or if the requirements seem overly bureaucratic. Moreover, if the types of services available through the IRT are not transparently communicated, there might be missed opportunities for both the communities and the military.
Military personnel benefit from practical and meaningful training, which helps ensure readiness and effectiveness in various contexts. Improving communication and process clarity could enhance engagement from both participants, broadening the scope and impact of the IRT program.
In summary, the proposed information collection could provide substantial benefits to communities and military personnel, but the success of these efforts largely depends on transparent processes and clear, accessible communication to potential participants.
Issues
• The document does not provide specific details on how the burden estimate of 550 annual hours was calculated, which might be unclear for evaluation.
• The average burden of 5.5 hours per response for the required information collection could seem high but lacks justification or breakdown of activities, potentially leading to concerns about efficiency.
• The document does not specify what qualifies as 'potential training value and incidental community benefit,' which can lead to ambiguity.
• The range of services under IRT, while mentioned, is not defined in detail, leaving room for interpretation about what missions might be considered for support beyond civil engineering and medical care.
• The document uses some technical language, such as references to '10 U.S.C. 2012,' without context or explanation, which might be difficult for the general public to understand.
• There is a lack of detailed information on how automated collection techniques will be implemented to minimize the burden on respondents.