July 18 -- The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (OUSD(P&R)), Department of Defense (DoD), invites comments to OMB by August 18, 2023 regarding the Status of Forces Survey of Active Duty Members. [Comments due 30 days after submission to OMB on July 19, 2023.]
The Status of Forces Active Duty Survey (SOFS–A) is an annual DoD-wide large-scale survey of active duty members that is used in evaluating existing policies and programs, establishing baseline measures before implementing new policies and programs, and monitoring the progress of existing policies/programs. The survey assesses topics such as financial well-being, retention intention, stress, tempo, readiness, food security and suicide awareness. Data are aggregated by appropriate demographics, including Service, paygrade, gender, race/ethnicity, and other indicators. In order to be able to meet reporting requirements for DoD leadership, the Military Services, and Congress, the survey needs to be completed in 2023. The legal requirements for the SOFS–A can be found in the FY2016 NDAA, Title VI, Subtitle F, Subpart 661. This legal requirement mandates that the SOFS–A solicit information on financial literacy and preparedness. Results will be used by the Service Secretaries to evaluate and update financial literacy training and will be submitted in a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
SOFS:
https://www.opa.mil/research-analysis/opa-surveys/status-of-forces-surveys
DoD submission to OMB:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202306-0704-014 Click on IC List for questionnaire, View Supporting Statement for technical documentation. Submit comments through this site.
FR notice inviting public comment:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-15160
For AEA members wishing to submit comments, "A Primer on How to Respond to Calls for Comment on Federal Data Collections" is available at
https://www.aeaweb.org/content/file?id=5806
