This annual report addresses the reporting requirements according to section 554 of the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Section 554 requires the DoD Inspector General (IG) to submit annual reports to keep Congress informed on findings and recommendations related to:
the effects of policies, programs, systems, and processes of the Department, regarding personnel, on diversity and inclusion in the Department and (ii) the effectiveness of such policies, processes, and tracking mechanisms, along with data regarding actions taken against military members who engaged in prohibited activities.
Section 554 also requires the Secretary of Defense to establish policies, processes, mechanisms, and reporting requirements being standard across the covered Armed Forces, on participation in prohibited activities. In addition, the Secretary of Defense must detail the implementation of these requirements, as well as annual data pertaining to prohibited activities in the annual report. According to a February 8, 2021 memorandum from the Secretary of Defense, the DoD IG has assumed delegated responsibility for the annual report.