Beginning March15, the Census Bureau will conduct the Nation’s 23rd decennial census to gather a complete count of the population of the United States to include personnel living onboard naval installations and ships with a U.S. homeport.

The decennial census is an in-depth survey used to gain population counts which fuel government decisions on how approximately $400 billion per year of federal funding is spent in your neighborhood on hospitals, schools, senior citizen centers, emergency services and public works projects. In addition, the enumeration determines the number of seats a state occupies in the House of Representatives.

Sailors will be asked to complete a short Military Census Report containing 6 questions.

‘‘By participating in the 2010 Census, Sailors of all ranks have an opportunity to help create a better future for those they care about,” said Chief Petty Officer Melanie Kinchen, of Navy’s Personal Readiness and Community Support Branch, and responsible for coordinating Navy’s Census efforts. I can't imagine any Sailor who wouldn't want to make that difference.“

Commander, Navy Installations Command is the lead for executing census procedures onboard shore installations and Commander, U. S. Fleet Forces Command is the lead for afloat commands.

Ship crew members will be required to complete a regular census questionnaire for their onshore address as well as a Shipboard Census Report (SCR) onboard the ship. The completion of both forms is required by the federal government.

In addition, military personnel assigned to a group quarters, to include bachelor’s quarters, will be counted at the group quarter, even if it is located on a non-naval installation.

Census questionnaires will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to all housing units on military installations beginning March 15, 2010. If you live off-base, you will receive a census questionnaire at that address.

Afloat commands may obtain additional information and guidance by referencing ALFLTFOR message DTG 042038Z JAN 10, released by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces.

All commands may obtain information specific to their command by contacting their command’s Census Project Manager.

For additional information about the 2010 Census and the Census Bureau’s Military Fact Sheet, visit http:⁄⁄www.npc.navy.mil⁄CommandSupport⁄Census2010⁄.

For more information from the Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil⁄cnp.