Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,

[Federal Register: May 6, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 88)]

[Notices]

[Page 25375-25376]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr06my04-37]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness).

ACTION: Notice.

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) announces the following proposed reinstatement of a public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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 July 6, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed information collection should be sent to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) (Military Community and Family Policy/MWR Policy), ATTN: Colonel Michael A. Pachuta, 4000 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-4000.

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 above address or call at (703) 602-4994.

Title, Associated Form, and OMB Control Number: ``Application for Discharge of Member or Survivor of Member of group Certified to Have Performed Active Duty with the Armed Forces of the United States,'' DD Form 2168, 0704-0100.

Needs and Uses: This information collection requirement is necessary to

[[Page 25376]]

implement Public Law 95-202, section 401, which directs the Secretary of Defense to determine if civilian employment or contractual service rendered by groups to the Armed Forces of the United States shall be considered active duty. This information is collected on DD Form 2168, ``Application for Discharge of Member or Survivor of Member of Group Certified to Have Performed Active Duty with the Armed Forces of the United States,'' which provides the necessary data to assist each of the Military Departments in determining if an applicant was a member of a group which has performed active military service. Those individuals who have been recognized as a member of an approved group are eligible for benefits provided for by laws administered by the Veteran's Administration.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Annual Burden Hours: 1,500 hours.

Number of Respondents: 3,000.

Responses Per Respondent: 1.

Average Burden Per Response: .5 hours.

Frequency: On occasion.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Summary of Information Collection

Public Law 95-202 directed the Secretary of Defense to determine if civilian employment or contractual service rendered by groups to the Armed Forces of the United States shall be considered active duty. Individuals recognized as a member of an approved group will be eligible for benefits provided for by the laws of the Veteran's Administration. The information collected on DD Form 2168, ``Application for Discharge of Member or Survivor of Member of Group Certified to Have Performed Active Duty with the Armed Forces of the United States,'' is necessary to assist each of the Military Departments in determining if an applicant was a member of a group which has been found to have performed active military service and to assist in issuing an appropriate certificate of service. Information provided by the applicant will include: The name of the group served with; dates and place of service; highest grade/rank/rating held during service; highest pay grade; military installation where ordered to report; specialty/job title(s). If the information requested on the DD Form 2168 is compatible with that of a corresponding approved group, and the applicant can provide supporting evidence, he or she will receive veteran's status in accordance with provisions of DoD Directive 1000.20. Information from the DD Form 2168 will be extracted and used to complete the DD Form 214, ``Certificate for Release or Discharge from Active Duty.''

Dated: April 28, 2004. L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, DoD.

[FR Doc. 04-10259 Filed 5-5-04; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 5001-06-M