12 2 STA T .4 4 78PUBLIC LA W 11 0– 417 —O CT. 14 , 2008 (O)Thecur re nti n s tituti o n al structure o f the Office of D i v ersit yM ana g e m ent an dEq ual O p portunity of the Department , and of similar officers of the military depart - ments, and their a b ility to ensure effective and accountable diversity management across the Department . ( P ) The options available for improving the substance or implementation of current plans and policies of the Department and the military departments. ( 3 ) CONSULTA T I ON W IT HPR I V AT E PARTIES. —I n carrying out the study under this subsection, the commission may consult w ith appropriate private, for profit, and non-profit organi z ations and advocacy groups to learn methods for developing, imple- menting, and sustaining senior diverse leadership within the Department of Defense. (e) R EPORTS.— ( 1 )IN G ENERAL.— N ot later than 1 2 months after the date on which the commission first meets, the commission shall submit to the President and Congress a report on the study. The report shall include the following
( A ) The findings and conclusions of the commission. ( B ) The recommendations of the commission for improving diversity within the Armed F orces. (C) S uch other information and recommendations as the commission considers appropriate. (2) INTERI M REPORTS.—The commission may submit to the President and Congress interim reports as the Commission considers appropriate. (f) POWERS O F THE COMMISSION.— (1) H EARINGS.—The commission may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, ta k e such testimony, and receive such evidence as the commission considers appro- priate. (2) INFORMATION FROM FE D ERAL AGEN C IES.— U pon request by the chairman of the commission, any department or agency of the Federal G overnment may provide information that the commission considers necessary to carry out its duties. (g) INCLUSION OF COAST GUARD.— (1) COAST GUARD REPRESENTATION.—In addition to the members of the commission required by subsection (b), the commission shall include two additional members, appointed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Commandant of the Coast Guard, as follows: (A) A retired flag officer of the Coast Guard. (B) A commissioned officer or noncommissioned officer of the Coast Guard on active duty. (2) ARMED FORCES DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘ ‘Armed Forces ’ ’ means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. (h) TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.—The commission shall termi- nate 60 days after the date on which the commission submits the report under subsection (e)(1).
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