[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 124 (Thursday, July 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 35076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14075]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Docket ID: DoD-2021-OS-0056]


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 OMB to collect 
information on establishing an understanding of the beliefs and 
attitudes of active component mid-grade (O-4 to O-6) and junior 
officers (O-2 to O-3) toward diversity and inclusion (D&I), retention 
and promotion, and specifically any perceived differences of retention 
and promotion related to race, ethnicity, and gender. The study will 
identify potential and existing factors that serve as barriers which 
may affect such differences in retention and promotion to inform D&I 
policies, programs, and procedures.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 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 and 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 Duncan, 571-372-7574, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Officer Retention and Promotion Barrier 
Analysis is a qualitative study which will include virtual interviews 
and focus groups with active component mid-grade and junior officers 
from Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps to examine their beliefs 
and attitudes toward D&I, retention and promotion, and specifically any 
perceived differences of retention and promotion related to race, 
ethnicity, and gender. The study will identify potential and existing 
factors that serve as barriers which may affect such differences in 
retention and promotion. The study will assess topics related to 
retention and promotion such as career progression and mentorship, 
leadership, workplace climate and culture, and work-life balance. The 
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) will analyze data in 
aggregate and provide key themes that emerge. In order to meet 
reporting requirements per the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense 
Authorization Act (NDAA), the study needs to begin in FY 2021 and 
completed by FY 2022. As required by the NDAA, the study will identify 
barriers to diversity to assist in developing and implementing plans 
and processes to resolve or eliminate any barriers to diversity, and 
reviewing the progress of the Services in implementing previous plans 
and processes to resolve or eliminate barriers to diversity.
    Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Officer Retention and 
Promotion Barrier Analysis; OMB Control Number 0704-ORPB.
    Type of Request: Emergency.
    Number of Respondents: The study will include 340 respondents 
(total of 20 interview respondents and 320 focus group participants).
    Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Annual Responses: 340.
    Average Burden per Response: Interviews will require 60 minutes per 
response. Focus groups will require 90 minutes per response.
    Annual Burden Hours: The total annual amount of burden hours for 
interviews is 20 hours. The total amount of annual burden for focus 
groups is 480 hours. The total annual burden hours are 500.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Frequency: Once.
    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: June 28, 2021.
Kayyonne T. Marston,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2021-14075 Filed 6-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P