Overview
Title
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Defense wants to make sure the right people can watch special TV overseas, so they're asking people to answer some questions, which takes about 10 minutes. They're also asking everyone to tell them if they think this is a good idea by April 21, 2025.
Summary AI
The Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a proposal to collect information as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act. They aim to gather data to verify the eligibility of DoD and Department of State employees, military personnel, and their families outside the United States to receive American Forces Network services. This involves an annual questionnaire with the responses expected to take about 10 minutes each. The public is invited to comment on this proposal by April 21, 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 titled "Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request" is a formal notice from the Department of Defense (DoD), as published in the Federal Register. This notice announces the DoD's intention to collect information from a specific group under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The information collection aims to verify eligibility and ensure the efficient provision of services by the American Forces Network (AFN) to eligible personnel and their families outside the United States.
General Summary
The notice outlines a proposal to gather data from approximately 40,000 respondents, including DoD employees, Department of State employees, military personnel, their families, retirees, and active reservists stationed outside the U.S. This data collection will assist in verifying eligibility for restricted AFN programming services, which include radio, television, and web streaming. The process involves an annual questionnaire, with each response expected to take about 10 minutes. The public has until April 21, 2025, to submit comments on this proposal.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several potential issues arise from the text, primarily due to its use of technical jargon such as "Paperwork Reduction Act" and "OMB Control Number," which could be unclear for those unfamiliar with government procedures. Furthermore, the document does not provide detailed information about the specific data to be collected or the intended use of such data beyond eligibility verification. Also concerning is the absence of any mention of privacy and security measures to protect sensitive information, which is critical since the data involves personal and potentially confidential details of individuals affiliated with the DoD and Department of State.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the public might not feel directly affected by this notice unless they are part of the targeted demographic eligible for AFN services. For those individuals, this annual data collection could represent both a routine administrative task and an assurance that their eligibility for AFN services continues without interruption. However, the voluntary nature of the response could lead to ambiguity about the consequences of non-compliance, which might concern some stakeholders who rely on these services.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For DoD and Department of State employees and their families, the impact of this notice is more pronounced. The process ensures that individuals eligible for AFN services continue to receive these benefits efficiently. However, without clear communication about data protection, those providing information may have concerns about their privacy and the potential misuse of their data. Additionally, the lack of clarity regarding the procedure for submitting comments could limit public engagement, thus affecting transparency and accountability.
Overall, while this document serves an important administrative function, further clarity and detail—particularly regarding privacy protections, participation consequences, and detailed guidance on engaging with the comment process—would significantly improve its utility and relevance for its intended audience.
Issues
• The document uses technical terms like 'Paperwork Reduction Act' and 'OMB Control Number' without providing clear explanations, which may be difficult for those unfamiliar with these terms to understand.
• The purpose of the information collection is not clearly detailed beyond the need to 'obtain and audit eligibility' and ensure services are provided efficiently, which might raise questions about what specific data is being collected and how it will be used.
• There is no mention of the security or privacy measures that will be taken to protect the collected data, which is a potential concern given the sensitive nature of the information.
• The description of the affected public simply as 'Individuals or households' is vague and does not provide specific details about who might be impacted or why.
• The section outlining how comments can be submitted could be clearer, particularly with respect to navigating the information on 'www.reginfo.gov'. It might benefit from a step-by-step guide.
• The document lacks clarity on any potential consequences for those who choose not to participate, especially since the respondent's obligation is listed as voluntary.
• The average burden per response is given as '10 minutes', but there is no clear breakdown of what steps are involved in the process or what activities contribute to this time estimate.