Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
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The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-6 administers the Freedom of Information Act & Privacy Act Program for Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces Command.
The FORSCOM Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Request Service Center is governed by the Department of Defense and Department of the Army in compliance with 5 USC 552 and 552a , 32 CFR 518 and 505 , DoD 5400.7-R , DoD 5400.11-R , AR 25-55 , and AR 25-22 .
"Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests update: Due to the Health Protection Condition associated with COVID-19, our offices are limited to minimum staff at the office and maximizing telework methods for other staff members. We currently are unable to assist with requests sent via traditional methods, such as by mail and by fax, and can only respond to electronic inquiries at this time."
| Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) |
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Privacy Act (PA) |
What is the Freedom of Information Act? A federal law which establishes the public’s right to request existing records from the Federal Government.
What is a FOIA Request? A written request for records, made by "any person", including a member of the public (U.S. or Foreign citizen), an organization, or a business. Requests may also be made through an attorney or other representative on behalf of "any person".
What is a Agency Record? The products of data compilation, such as all books, papers, maps, and photographs, machine readable materials or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by an agency of the United States Government under Federal law in connection with the transaction of public business. For additional information regarding federal records, click here. For additional information regarding Army records, click here.
What is a FOIA Electronic Reading Room? Agencies are required to make four categories of records affirmatively available for public inspection and copying.
FOIA Electronic Reading Rooms consist (1) "final opinions [and] . . . orders" rendered in the adjudication of administrative cases; (2) specific agency policy statements; (3) certain administrative staff manuals; and, (4) as of March 31, 1997, records disclosed in response to a FOIA request that "the agency determines have become or are likely to become the subject of subsequent requests for substantially the same records." The Department of the Army FOIA office maintains the US Army FOIA Reading Room.
Where should a FOIA request be submitted? FOIA Request should be submitted to the agency which originated the record. The Department of the Army FOIA Service Centers provides comprehensive list of Army FOIA Offices and describes they type of records each agency is authorized to act on.
How long does it take to process a FOIA request?
Agencies are required to respond within 20 working days of receipt of a request. An interim reply will be provided when an extension of the initial time limit is needed to search for and collect records from separate offices, examine a voluminous amount of records, or the need to consult with another agency.
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What is the Privacy Act? A federal law which establishes safeguards for the protection of records that the federal government collects and maintains on United States citizens and aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. The purpose of the Privacy Act is to balance the government's need to maintain information about individuals with the rights of individuals to be protected against unwarranted invasions of their privacy stemming from federal agencies’ collection, maintenance, use, and disclosure of personal information about them.
What is a PA Request? A written request for records pertaining to an individual maintained in a PA Systems of Records, unless the record is subject to an exemption or the record is information compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding.
What is a PA System of Records? A System of Records is a group of any records under the control of any agency from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifier assigned to the individual. The Privacy Act requires each agency to publish notice of its systems of records in the Federal Register. This notice is generally referred to as a system of records notice (SORN). The Department of the Army Privacy Office maintains the Army System of Record Notice Listing .
Where should a Privacy Act Request be submitted? To the agency which maintains the System of Record where the information is stored. The Department of the Army FOIA Service Centers provides comprehensive list of Army Privacy Offices.
How long does it take to process a PA request ? The initial response time is the same as a FOIA except request for amendments. PA Systems Manager normally acknowledge receipt of request within 10 working days and provide a determination within 30 working days.
What will be released in a Privacy Act Request? If you are the subject of the file and the word "None" appears in the last entry in the systems notice entitled "Exemptions Claimed for the System," then the entire record will be released to you.
Where should Privacy Act Violations within the U.S. Army be reported? Report lost, stolen or compromised Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to the DA Privacy Office. |
| How to Submit a FOIA Request |
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How to Submit a PA Request |
● A request must be in writing and include full name and contact information.
● The request should be labeled "Freedom of Information Act Request".
● Request for records under the FOIA should be reasonably described and meet the criteria of an agency record.
● The requestor must state a willingness to applicable fees.
● Submit by mail, fax or e-mail to the following:
The PRIMARY FORSCOM FOIA/PA Officer is:
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● A request must be in writing and include full name and contact information.
● The request should be labeled "Privacy Act Request".
● The request must specify the Systems of Records and include and identifiable information assigned to recognize the individual within the system such as SSN or Date of Birth.
● The requestor must state a willingness to applicable fees.
● The requestor must provide proof of identity and include the statement, " I declare under penalty of perjury that I am (state full name) and the statements included in the document are true and correct."
● If the requestor is seeking records on another individual, a privacy act release notice must be provided.
● Submit with original signature by mail to the following:
US Army Forces Command
ATTN: AFIT-ESR (FOIA/PA)
4700 Knox Street
Fort Liberty, NC 28310-5000 |
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If you are not satisfied with the response from the FORSCOM FOIA/PA Service Center contact the Army FOIA Public Liaison Officer,
Ms. Crystle Poge, by phone: (571) 515-0306 or by email: usarmy.belvoir.hqda-esa.mbx.rmda-foia-public-liaison@army.mil.
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