Overview
Title
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Defense wants to know if the military is treating everyone fairly, so they are asking people what they think about it. They are looking for ideas on how to ask questions better, make collecting answers easier, and ensure people's privacy.
Summary AI
The Department of Defense, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, is inviting public comments on a new information collection plan. This initiative, in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, seeks feedback on the necessity and effectiveness of collecting data for the Armed Forces Workplace and Equal Opportunity Survey. The survey is designed to gather insights related to racial and ethnic issues, including harassment and discrimination, within the military. The collected data will aid in evaluating and improving military personnel policies and practices regarding racial and ethnic relations.
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
In the document titled "Proposed Collection; Comment Request," the U.S. Department of Defense, specifically the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, invites public feedback regarding a new information collection effort. This initiative is in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and seeks to gather public opinions about the Armed Forces Workplace and Equal Opportunity Survey. The objective of this survey is to investigate racial and ethnic issues, including harassment and discrimination, within the military environment. The insights from this survey aim to enhance military personnel policies and practices concerning racial and ethnic relations.
General Summary
The document, published in the Federal Register, requests a 60-day period for public comment regarding a proposed information collection activity. The survey, sanctioned by specific legal statutes, intends to evaluate trends and the effectiveness of policies concerning racial and ethnic relations within the military. Public comments are welcomed on various aspects, such as the necessity of the survey, the burden on respondents, and ways to optimize the data collection process.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One notable issue in the document is the calculation of "Annual Burden Hours" and "Average Burden per Response." It mentions an annual burden of 180,500 hours with an average of 30 minutes per response across 361,000 respondents. However, the numbers appear inconsistent, and further clarity would be beneficial to reaffirm the accuracy of these figures.
The document includes technical terms and legal references that may be unfamiliar to the general public, such as "OMB No." and specific sections of the United States Code (U.S.C.). This could create confusion or misunderstanding for those without a legal or bureaucratic background.
Additionally, the notice lacks explicit instructions for the stakeholders, leaving participants unsure about their roles or the procedures for submitting comments. Clearer guidelines would allow for more effective public participation.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this document marks an opportunity to influence the military's approach to handling racial and ethnic relations by providing their observations and suggestions. It may serve as a platform for community engagement in military policy-making processes. However, people unfamiliar with the specified legal jargon could find it challenging to participate meaningfully.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Military Personnel and Families: The results of the survey and subsequent policy enhancements could directly improve the working conditions and interpersonal relations within the military. This might lead to a more inclusive and harmonious environment, benefiting individuals across all ranks.
Federal Agencies and Lawmakers: Insights gathered from this information collection might inform the legislative and policy-making processes. Legislators and defense officials can use the survey data to craft more informed and effective policies aimed at fostering equity within the armed forces.
In summary, while the document signals a crucial step toward addressing racial and ethnic issues within the military, it could benefit from clearer communication and straightforward instructions for stakeholders. Addressing these concerns will ensure more robust participation and a better understanding of the project's significance and impact.
Issues
• The document specifies an 'Annual Burden Hours' of 180,500 and an 'Average Burden per Response' of 30 minutes with 361,000 respondents. This calculation should be checked for consistency as it relates to the expected number of responses and the total burden hours.
• The document uses technical and legal jargon (e.g., 'OMB No.', 'OMB Control No. 0704-0631') that may be unclear to the general public.
• The document uses complex legal references (e.g., '10 U.S.C., sections 136, 1782, and 2358') that might not be readily understandable without additional context or explanation.
• The action stated as '60-Day information collection notice' does not clearly specify what actions participants or stakeholders are expected to take, potentially necessitating further clarification.
• No explicit mention of budget or resource allocation for performing the survey, which could raise concerns about cost-effectiveness or the impact on resource allocation.
• The document does not provide information on how respondents are selected or how the data will be protected, which could be relevant to issues of privacy and representation.