The Twenty-Sixth Public Meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 21st and 22nd, 2023.

Arlington, VA - The twenty-sixth public meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces ("DAC-IPAD" or "the Committee"), was held on Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. and Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 from 8:55 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  

The DAC-IPAD was established by the Secretary of Defense in February 2016, in accordance with section 546 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, as amended. The Committee is tasked to advise the Secretary of Defense on the investigation, prosecution, and defense of allegations of rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct involving members of the Armed Forces based on its review of such cases on an ongoing basis.

On Tuesday, February 21st the Committee received a briefing on military justice matters included in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, followed by a presentation by representatives from the Services' Trial Defense organizations. The next session, from 3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., the Committee received public comment. Tuesday concluded with an update from the DAC-IPAD Special Projects Subcommittee.

On Wednesday, February 22nd the Committee received an update on military sentencing, heard from former military judges, and received updates from the DAC-IPAD Policy and Case Review Subcommittees. The meeting concluded with deliberations on the Committee's 5th Annual Report, wrap-up of the two-day meeting, and preview of the next meeting.

The DAC-IPAD welcomes written input from the public on these topics or other issues under its consideration. Written comments must be received by the DAC-IPAD at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting date so that they may be made available to the Committee members for their consideration prior to the meeting. Written comments should be submitted via e-mail to the DAC-IPAD at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Please note that since the DAC-IPAD operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, all written comments will be treated as public documents and will be made available for public inspection. Oral statements from the public will be permitted, though the number and length of such oral statements may be limited based on the time available and the number of such requests. Oral presentations by members of the public will be permitted from 4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST on June 22, 2022.

More information about the Committee, including the meeting agenda and materials, is available on its website at http://dacipad.whs.mil. In the event the Office of Personnel Management closes the government due to inclement weather or for any other reason, please consult the website for any changes to public meeting dates or time.