The Status of Forces Reserve Survey

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
SOFR2101_Communications_Final (1).docx Supplementary Document	2021-03-29
2021SOFR_Supporting_Statement_Part_B (002).docx Supporting Statement B	2021-03-29
SSA_SOFS.docx Supporting Statement A	2021-04-01

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
246484	Status of Forces Reserve Survey Other-Survey	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 202103-0704-004
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOD/DODDEP	Agency Tracking No: 0704-SOFS
Title: The Status of Forces Reserve Survey
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 04/30/2021
Date Submitted to OIRA: 04/01/2021

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	6 Months From Approved
Responses	16,515	0
Time Burden (Hours)	8,258	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	330,300	0

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Abstract: The Status of Forces Reserve Survey (SOFS-R) is a DoD-wide survey of Reserve and National Guard used in evaluating existing policies and programs, establishing baseline measures before implementing new policies and programs, and monitoring the progress of policies/programs that make a difference in the lives of Reserve component members and their families. The survey assesses topics such as financial well-being, reintegration programs following activation/deployment, outreach to civilian employers, employer support, family support programs, and benefits (i.e., education, commissary/exchange, health care), and suicide awareness.

Emergency Justfication: The Status of Forces Reserve Survey (SOFS-R) is a DoD-wide survey of Reserve and National Guard used in evaluating existing policies and programs, establishing baseline measures before implementing new policies and programs, and monitoring the progress of policies/programs that make a difference in the lives of Reserve component members and their families. The survey assesses topics such as financial well-being, reintegration programs following activation/deployment, outreach to civilian employers, employer support, family support programs, and benefits (i.e., education, commissary/exchange, health care), and suicide awareness. Data are aggregated by appropriate demographics, including Service, paygrade, gender, race/ethnicity, activation status, 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 by fall 2021. As required by the NDAA, the results of this survey are used by each of the Service Secretaries to evaluate and update training. In addition, The Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness uses the SOFS-R to suggest changes to services supporting Reserve component members' ability to return to their families and their civilian jobs following activation/deployment as well as addressing retention, health care, and family life issues.

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 17141	04/01/2021
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Status of Forces Reserve Survey

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	16,515	0	0	16,515	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	8,258	0	0	8,258	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	330,300	0	0	330,300	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: New collection with a new associated burden

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $466,972

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 04/01/2021

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