2012-21817. Meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS)

AGENCY:

Department of Defense.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Pursuant to Section 10(a), Public Law 92-463, as amended, notice is hereby given of a forthcoming meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS). The purpose of the meeting is to receive briefings from the Services on their current retention programs, a briefing from the Army on their gender neutral standards, and a briefing on Australian Defence Force gender restrictions and development and implementation of physical standards for military positions. Additionally, the Committee will receive a briefing on Legislative Proposal for expanded health care coverage for military women. Finally, the Committee will develop and vote on their recommendations for the 2012 report. The meeting is open to the public, subject to the availability of space.

Interested persons may submit a written statement for consideration by the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. Individuals submitting a written statement must submit their statement to the Point of Contact and address listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT no later than 5 p.m., Tuesday, September 25, 2012. If a written statement is not received by Tuesday, September 25, 2012, prior to the meeting, which is the subject of this notice, then it may not be provided to or considered by the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services until its next open meeting. The Designated Federal Officer will review all timely submissions with the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services Chairperson and ensure they are provided to the members of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. If members of the public are interested in making an oral statement, a written statement should be submitted as above. After reviewing the written comments, the Chairperson and the Designated Federal Officer will determine who of the requesting persons will be able to make an oral presentation of their issue during an open portion of this meeting or at a future meeting. Determination of who will be making an oral presentation is at the sole discretion of the Committee Chair and the Designated Federal Officer and will depend on time available and if the topics are relevant to the Committee's activities. Two minutes will be allotted to persons desiring to make an oral presentation. Oral presentations by members of the public will be permitted only on Thursday, September 27, 2012 from 3:40 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in front of the full Committee. Number of oral presentations to be made will depend on the number of requests received from members of the public.

DATES:

September 27, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; September 28, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES:

Sheraton Suites, 801 North Saint Asaph St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Robert Bowling or DACOWITS Staff at 4000 Defense Pentagon, Room 2C548A, Washington, DC 20301-4000. [e-mail]. Telephone [phone]. Fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Meeting agenda:

Thursday, September 27, 2012, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

—Welcome, introductions, and announcements.

—Briefings—Services Retention Programs.

—Briefing—U.S. Army Gender Neutral Standards.

—Summary of Canada Visit.

—Briefing—Australian Defence Force Update.

—Briefing—Legislative Proposal on Military Women Health Care.

—Public Comment Period.

Friday, September 28, 2012, 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

—Welcome, introductions, and announcements.

—Committee Proposes and Votes on 2012 Recommendations.

Dated: August 29, 2012.

Aaron Siegel,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.