2015-16317. National Commission on the Future of the Army; Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting

AGENCY:

Deputy Chief Management Officer, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting.

SUMMARY:

The DoD is publishing this notice to announce two days of meetings of the National Commission on the Future of the Army (“the Commission”). The meetings will be partially closed to the public.

DATES:

Date of the Closed Meetings: Wednesday, July 15, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Date of the Open Meeting: Thursday, July 16, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES:

Address of Closed Meeting, July 15: Rm 5133, 5th Floor, Zachary Taylor Building, 2530 Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA 22202.

Address of Open Meeting, July 16: Polk Conference Room, Room 12158, James Polk Building, 2521 S. Clark St., Arlington, VA 22202.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Don Tison, Designated Federal Officer, National Commission on the Future of the Army, 700 Army Pentagon, Room 3E406, Washington, DC 20310-0700, Email: [e-mail]. Desk [phone]. Facsimile [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Due to circumstances beyond the control of the Designated Federal Officer and the Department of Defense, the National Commission on the Future of the Army was unable to provide public notification of its meeting of July 15—16, 2015, as required by 41 CFR 102-3.150(a). Accordingly, the Advisory Committee Management Officer for the Department of Defense, pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.150(b), waives the 15-calendar day notification requirement. This meeting will be held under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.150.

Purpose of Meetings: During the closed meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, the Commission will hear classified testimony from individual witnesses and engage in discussion on Operational demands for Army Forces, the Current and Future operational environment and threats to the land forces in the Area of Responsibility.

During the open meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2015, the Commission will hear comments from several organizations, the Public will have the opportunity to provide verbal comments, and immediately afterwards the Commission will discuss topics raised during the organizational and public comment session.

Agendas: July 15, 2015-Closed Hearing: The Commission will hear comments from Combatant Commanders and representatives from the Army G3 at the closed hearing on July 15, 2015, and the organizations have been asked to address: The current and future operational environment and threats for land forces in Area of Responsibility, Roles that Army forces fulfill in COCOM including Executive Agency missions, Army forces contribution to Theater Security Cooperation including State Partnership for Peace activities, and Operational demands for Army Forces.

Speakers include, but are not limited to, representatives from the Army G3 and the Commanding Generals from U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Africa Command. All presentations and resulting discussion are classified.

July 16, 2015—Open Hearing: The Commission will hear verbal comments from representatives from the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Manpower and Reserve Affairs and the National Governors Association. Time will be allocated for public comment. Immediately afterwards the Commission will discuss topics raised during the earlier presentations and public comments session.

Meeting Accessibility: In accordance with applicable law, 5 U.S.C. 552b(c), and 41 CFR 102-3.155, the DoD has determined that the portion of the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. will be closed to the public. Specifically, the Assistant Deputy Chief Management Officer, with the coordination of the DoD FACA Attorney, has determined in writing that this portion of the meeting will be closed to the public because it will discuss matters covered by 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1).

Pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.140 through 102-3.165 and the availability of space, the meeting scheduled for July 16, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the James Polk Building is open to the public. Seating is limited and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Media representatives are also encouraged to register. Members of the media must comply with the rules of photography and video filming in the James Polk Building. The closest public parking facility is located in the basement and along the streets. Visitors will be required to present one form of photograph identification. Visitors to the James Polk Office Building will be screened by a magnetometer, and all items that are permitted inside the building will be screened by an x-ray device. Visitors should keep their belongings with them at all times. The following items are strictly prohibited in the James Polk Office Building: Any pointed object, e.g., knitting needles and letter openers (pens and pencils are permitted.); any bag larger than 18″ wide x 14″ high x 8.5″ deep; electric stun guns, martial arts weapons or devices; guns, replica guns, ammunition and fireworks; knives of any size; mace and pepper spray; razors and box cutters.

Written Comments: Pursuant to section 10(a)(3) of the FACA and 41 CFR 102-3.105(j) and 102-3.140, the public or interested organizations may submit written comments to the Commission in response to the stated agenda of the open and/or closed meeting or the Commission's mission. The Designated Federal Officer (DFO) will review all submitted written statements. Written comments should be submitted to Mr. Donald Tison, DFO, via facsimile or electronic mail, the preferred modes of submission. Each page of the comment must include the author's name, title or affiliation, address, and daytime phone number. All comments received before Tuesday, July 14, 2015, will be provided to the Commission before the July 16, 2015, meeting. Comments received after Tuesday, July 14, 2015, will be provided to the Commission before its next meeting. All contact information may be found in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

Oral Comments: In addition to written statements, thirty minutes will be reserved for individuals or interest groups to address the Commission on July 16, 2015. Those interested in presenting oral comments to the Commission must summarize their oral statement in writing and submit with their registration. The Commission's staff will assign time to oral commenters at the meeting; no more than five minutes each for individuals. While requests to make an oral presentation to the Commission will be honored on a first come, first served basis, other opportunities for oral comments will be provided at future meetings.

Registration: Individuals and entities who wish to attend the public hearing and meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2015 are encouraged to register for the event with the DFO using the electronic mail and facsimile contact information found in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. The communication should include the registrant's full name, title, affiliation or employer, email address, day time phone number. This information will assist the Commission in contacting individuals should it decide to do so at a later date. If applicable, include written comments and a request to speak during the oral comment session. (Oral comment requests must be accompanied by a summary of your presentation.) Registrations and written comments should be typed.

Additional Information

The DoD sponsor for the Commission is the Deputy Chief Management Officer. The Commission is tasked to submit a report, containing a comprehensive study and recommendations, by February 1, 2016 to the President of the United States and the Congressional defense committees. The report will contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions it may consider appropriate in light of the results of the study. The comprehensive study of the structure of the Army will determine whether, and how, the structure should be modified to best fulfill current and anticipated mission requirements for the Army in a manner consistent with available resources.

Dated: June 29, 2015.

Aaron Siegel,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.