[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 61 (Thursday, April 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 17141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06713]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Docket ID: DoD-2021-OS-0020]


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and 
Readiness, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Information collection notice.

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SUMMARY: Consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its 
implementing regulations, this document provides notice DoD is 
submitting an Information Collection Request to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) to collect information on Reserve and 
National Guard used in evaluating existing policies and programs, 
establishing baseline measures before implementing new policies and 
programs, and monitoring the progress of policies/programs that make a 
difference in the lives of Reserve component members and their 
families. DoD requests emergency processing and OMB authorization to 
collect the information after publication of this Notice for a period 
of six months.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 16, 2021.

ADDRESSES: The Department has requested emergency processing from OMB 
for this information collection request by 15 days after publication of 
this notice. Interested parties can access the supporting materials and 
collection instrument as well as submit comments and recommendations to 
OMB at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 15-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function. Comments 
submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in 
the request for OMB approval of this information collection. They will 
also become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela James, 571-372-7574, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Status of Forces Reserve Survey (SOFS-R) 
is a DoD-wide survey of Reserve and National Guard used in evaluating 
existing policies and programs, establishing baseline measures before 
implementing new policies and programs, and monitoring the progress of 
policies/programs that make a difference in the lives of Reserve 
component members and their families. The survey assesses topics such 
as financial well-being, reintegration programs following activation/
deployment, outreach to civilian employers, employer support, family 
support programs, and benefits (i.e., education, commissary/exchange, 
health care), and suicide awareness. Data are aggregated by appropriate 
demographics, including Service, paygrade, gender, race/ethnicity, 
activation status, and other indicators. In order to be able to meet 
reporting requirements for DoD leadership, the Military Services, and 
Congress, the survey needs to be completed by fall 2021. As required by 
the NDAA, the results of this survey are used by each of the Service 
Secretaries to evaluate and update training. In addition, the 
Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness uses the SOFS-R 
to suggest changes to services supporting Reserve component members' 
ability to return to their families and their civilian jobs following 
activation/deployment as well as addressing retention, health care, and 
family life issues.
    Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Status of Forces Survey 
(Reserve).
    Type of Request: New.
    Number of Respondents: 16,515.
    Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Annual Responses: 16,515.
    Average Burden per Response: 30 minutes.
    Annual Burden Hours: 8,258.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Request for Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of DoD, including whether the information 
collected has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of DoD's estimate of 
the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including automated 
collection techniques or the use of other forms of information 
technology.

    Dated: March 29, 2021.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2021-06713 Filed 3-31-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P