[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 241 (Monday, December 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87413-87414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27721]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Docket ID: DoD-2023-OS-0121]


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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

ACTION: 60-Day information collection notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness announces a 
proposed data 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.

DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received by February 
16, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number and 
title, by any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    Mail: Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant to the 
Secretary of Defense for Privacy, Civil Liberties, and Transparency, 
Regulatory Directorate, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Mailbox #24, Suite 
08D09, Alexandria, VA 22350-1700.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency 
name, docket number and title for this Federal Register document. The 
general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the 
public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov as they are received without 
change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this 
proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the proposal and 
associated collection instruments, please write to the Office for 
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), Department of Defense, 4000 
Defense Pentagon, Suite 5D641, Washington, DC 20301-4000, ATTN: Dr. 
Samantha Daniel, or call 703-409-8612.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Recruiting, Retaining, and 
Promoting Servicemembers who

[[Page 87414]]

Identify as Hispanic or Latino/Latina; OMB Control Number: 0704-RPSS.
    Needs and Uses: Over the last several years, the Department of 
Defense (DoD) has been concerned about the force's ethnic composition 
due to underrepresentation of Hispanic servicemembers in the senior 
grades across the Services. The National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2022 (NDAA FY22), Section 572, also requires a study 
focused on the recruitment, retention, and promotion of servicemembers 
identifying as Hispanic. To address these items covered by the NDAA 
FY22, OUSD (P&R) Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) has 
contracted with CNA to conduct a study to identify and address gaps in 
DoD's understanding of the recruitment, retention, and career 
progression of Hispanic servicemembers; evaluate past efforts and 
initiatives by DoD and the Services aimed at increasing Hispanic 
representation; and identify key lessons learned or best practices that 
should inform future initiatives. As part of this study, CNA will 
conduct Service-specific in-person and virtual focus groups with Active 
Duty Servicemembers in the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, and 
Space Force. The voluntary focus groups will inquire about focus group 
participants' opinions and experiences based on their military careers. 
The purpose of the focus groups is to better understand the challenges 
that Servicemembers face in recruiting, retention, and promotion, 
especially for those who identify as Hispanic or Latino/Latina.
    Additionally, Florida International University (FIU), a 
subcontractor to CNA on this study, will conduct a survey among 
eligible members of the general Hispanic population who are registered 
to vote in the United States, analyze the survey data, and produce a 
report detailing findings and recommendations for ODEI. The intent of 
the survey is to examine factors that influence the U.S. Hispanic 
population's perceptions of military service in the U.S. Armed Services 
and to identify the root causes for the notable disparity in the 
recruitment, retention, and promotion of Servicemembers who identify as 
Hispanic. Participation in the survey will be voluntary.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Recruiting, Retaining, and Promoting Servicemembers who Identify as 
Hispanic or Latino/Latina:
    Number of Respondents: 650.
    Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Annual Responses: 650.
    Average Burden per Response: 90 minutes.
    Annual Burden Hours: 975.
    Recruiting, Retaining, and Promoting Servicemembers who Identify as 
Hispanic or Latino/Latina (general population):
    Number of Respondents: 1,500.
    Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Annual Responses: 1,500.
    Average Burden per Response: 15 minutes.
    Annual Burden Hours: 375.
    Total:
    Number of Respondents: 2,150.
    Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Annual Responses: 2,150.
    Average Burden per Response: 38 minutes.
    Annual Burden Hours: 1,350.
    Frequency: As required.

    Dated: December 13, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2023-27721 Filed 12-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P