Agency Disclosure Notice (ADN)

The public reporting burden for this collection of information, OMB Control Number: {LICENSE DATE}, is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing the instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or burden reduction suggestions to the Department of Defense (DoD), Washington Headquarters Services, at [email protected] (OMB Control Number: {LICENSE DATE}). Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

Privacy Advisory

Your name and contact information have been used only for the distribution of this survey. Your responses to the demographic questions will allow DoD to better analyze all responses among varying demographic groups. Responding to this survey is voluntary. Most people can complete the survey in 15 minutes. There is no penalty to you if you choose not to respond. However, maximum participation is encouraged so the data will be complete and representative.

Additional Information

10 United States Code (USC), Sections 136, 1782, and 2358, authorize the DoD to conduct this survey. Information collected in this survey will be used to research a variety of topics, including well-being, safety, and health in military families. This information will assist in the formulation of policies which may be needed to improve programs and services for military members and their families. Reports will be provided to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, each Military Department, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Some findings may be published by the Office of People Analytics (OPA) or in professional journals, or presented at scientific conferences. Your responses could be used in future research. Results from these surveys will be posted on the web: https://www.opa.mil

OPA uses well-established, scientific procedures to randomly select a sample representing the Defense community based on combinations of demographic characteristics (for example, deployment status, Service, and gender). Your responses will be kept private to the extent permitted by law. This is your chance to be heard on issues that directly affect you. While there is no direct benefit for your individual participation, your responses on this survey make a difference.

Identifying information will be used only by government and contractor staff engaged in, and for purposes of, survey research. For example, the research oversight office of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) and representatives of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) are eligible to review research records as a part of their responsibility to protect human subjects in research. In no case will individual identifiable survey responses be reported.

The data collection procedures are not expected to involve any risk or discomfort to you. The only risk to you is accidental or unintentional disclosure of the data you provide. However, the government and its contractors have a number of policies and procedures to ensure the survey data are safe and protected. For example, no identifying information (name, address, Social Security Number) is ever stored in the same file as survey responses.

Survey data may be shared with DoD researchers or organizations outside the DoD who are conducting research on DoD personnel. In many cases, these researchers will be provided with a dataset containing limited demographic information (for example, age, parenthood status, and gender). OPA performs a disclosure avoidance analysis to reduce the risk of there being a combination of demographic variables which can single out an individual. In some instances, and only with sponsor approval, OPA may make available datasets with additional demographic variables to a small number of approved researchers. There is some risk individuals might be identified on these datasets; however, OPA implements several procedures to protect the data. Statistical analyses can only be performed after review and approval to ensure identifying information is not released. Access to these datasets will only be allowed on a need-to-know basis with an approved data sharing agreement in place. Researchers approved for access to these datasets must adhere to strict procedures, including - but not limited to - data sharing agreements, secure transfers of data, destruction of files upon completion of research, and authorization to reuse data. In addition, receipt and use of these datasets must adhere to all DoD information assurance, security, and other data use policies.

If you answer any items in such a way that you indicate distress or being upset, etc., you will not be contacted for follow-up purposes. However, if you indicate a direct threat to harm yourself or others within responses or communications about the survey, because of concern for your welfare, OPA may notify an office in your area for appropriate action.

Please read the following information listing available resources if you would like to discuss experiences that may have caused you discomfort while completing the survey.

• If you would like to talk to someone about issues related to suicide, please refer to the resources listed below.
  • Military Crisis Line—1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Veterans Crisis Line—1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline—1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Military OneSource—1-800-342-9647
  • Military & Family Life Counseling (MFLC)—information available at installation level
  • CG SUPRT Line (Coast Guard)—1-855-247-8778

If you experience any difficulties while taking the survey, please contact the Survey Processing Center by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or calling, 1-800-881-5307. If you have concerns about your rights as a research participant, please contact the OUSD(P&R) Research Regulatory Oversight Office at 703-681-1568/703-681-6665 or e-mail [email protected].

Once you start answering the survey, if you desire to withdraw your answers, please notify the Survey Processing Center prior to {POSTED CLOSE DATE}. Please include in the e-mail or phone message your name and Ticket Number. Unless withdrawn, partially completed survey data may be used after that date.