2021-08223. 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.

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 from military members on gender issues, including issues relating to sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and sexual assault, as well as the culture and climate of the units/organizations in which Service members serve. 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 May 21, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

The Department has requested emergency processing from OMB for this information collection request by 30 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 30-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 [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination remain a major concern across the DoD and for members of Congress. In February 2004, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the prevalence of sexual assault in the DoD and the programs and policies planned to address the issues. In accordance with legislative requirements, the USD(P&R) issued memoranda to the Services that provides DoD policy guidance on sexual assault that included a new standard definition, response capability, training requirements, response actions, and reporting guidance throughout the Department. The Sexual Assault and Prevention Response Office (SAPRO) supported implementation of the new policy and requires data to assess the prevalence of sexual assault in the Department and the effectiveness of the programs they have implemented.

The Workplace and Gender Relations Surveys will assess the attitudes and opinions of military members on gender issues, including issues relating to sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and sexual assault, as well as the culture and climate of the units/organizations in which Service members serve. The objective of the WGR surveys is to provide the policy offices of the USD(P&R) with current data on (1) the positive and negative trends for professional and personal relationships between Service members; (2) the specific types of assault that have occurred and the number of times in the preceding year; (3) the effectiveness of DoD policies designed to improve professional relationships between male and female Service members; (4) the effectiveness of current processes for complaints, reports, and investigations; and, (5) specific issues related to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and gender discrimination that may inform the Department's prevention and response efforts.

Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Workplace and Gender Relations Survey Active/Reserve; OMB Control Number 0704-WGRM.

Type of Request: New collection.

Number of Respondents: 202,800.

Responses per Respondent: 1.

Annual Responses: 202,800 responses.

Average Burden per Response: 30 minutes.

Annual Burden Hours: 101,400 hours.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Frequency: Biennially (i.e. every other year).

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: April 15, 2021.

Aaron T. Siegel,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.