The Freedom of Information Act is a Federal law that establishes the public’s right to request existing records from Federal Government agencies. The FOIA provides for prompt, maximum release of DOD records to the public unless such requested records are specifically exempt from mandatory public disclosure under the FOIA. Only the Secretary of the Army and the Initial Denial Authority may deny a request for Army records.
The Freedom of Information Act Requester Service is established to comply with Executive Order 13392. The FOIA is a federal statute which generally provides that any person has a right to request federal agency records, except to the extent the records are protected from disclosure by any of the nine exemptions contained in the law or by one of three special law enforcement exclusions.
The information obtained herein is not intended to be definitive or exhaustive. The FOIA, which is known by its legal cite as Title 5 U.S.C. § 552, along with the Department of Defense Regulation 5400.7-R, and Army Regulation (AR) 25-55, governs how requests will be processed. Because U.S. Army Fort Moore must comply with national security laws, some documents or portions thereof may be exempt from release. For more information, call 706-545-5356.
Your rights under the Freedom of Information Act:
Making a Freedom of Information Act request:
When information is withheld, whether partially or fully, this constitutes a denial under FOIA. A request may be denied for one or more of the FOIA exemptions. When this happens, you will be notified in writing by an Initial Denial Authority (IDA) and given appeal rights. IDAs are denial authorities for records that fall under their functional areas as listed in Appendix A. If your request is denied partially you will receive information that has portions deleted. Redacted records have the denied information removed from where it was originally located within the document. The appropriate exemption(s) for deletion of the information should be listed next to the sanitized area(s) on the document. There are usually two methods for sanitizing a document; one is to blacken out the denied information, and the other is to completely remove it. An Initial Denial Authority is listed below:
Initial Denial Authority List
The Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army is authorized to act for the Secretary of the Army on requests for all records maintained by the Office of the Secretary of the Army and its serviced activities, as well as requests requiring the personal attention of the Secretary of the Army.
Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army ATTN: JDHQSV-CA (FOIA)
Headquarters Service-Washington
Office of the Chief Attorney
105 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0105
Phone: 703-614-3497
Fax: 703-693-5735
The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller) is authorized to act on requests for finance and accounting records.
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army
(Financial Management and Comptroller)
ATTN: SAFM AO (FOIA)
109 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0109
Phone: 703-695-2320
Fax: 703-614-1292
The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research, Development, and Acquisition) is authorized to act on requests for procurement records other than those under the purview of the Chief of Engineers and the Commander, U.S. Army Materiel Command.
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army
(Research, Development, and Acquisition)
ATTN: SFAE-ISA-IFR (FOIA)
Presidential Tower, Suite 11500
2511 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202-3911
Phone: 703-604-7314
Fax: 703-604- 7688
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civilian Personnel Policy) is authorized to act on requests for civilian personnel records, personnel administration and other civilian personnel matters.
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army
(Civilian Personnel Policy) (FOIA)
ATTN: SAMR-CPP-SM
Director of Civilian Personnel Policy & Program Development Division
200 Stovall Street, RM 4S29 (Hoffman II)
Alexandria, VA 22332-0300
Phone: 703-325-9985
Fax: 703-325-3524
The Director of Information Systems for Command, Control, Communications, and Computers is authorized to act on requests for records pertaining to the Army Information Resources Management Program.
Office of the Director of Information Systems for Command, Control, Communications, and Computers
ATTN: SAIS-ZXA (FOIA)
107 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0107
Phone: 703-697-9061
Fax: 703-695-3091
The Inspector General is authorized to act on requests for all Inspector General records.
Office of the Inspector General
ATTN: SAIG-ZXR (FOIA)
1700 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-1700
Phone: 703-601-1093
Fax: 703-607-5865
The Auditor General is authorized to act on requests for records relating to audits done by the U.S. Army Audit Agency. This includes requests for related records developed by the Audit Agency.
Office of the Auditor General
ATTN: SAAG-GC (FOIA)
3101 Park Center Drive, RM 1301
Alexandria, VA 22302-1596
Phone: 703-681-4298
Fax: 703-681-3308
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans is authorized to act on requests for records relating to strategy formulation, force development, individual and unit training policy, strategic and tactical command and control systems, nuclear and chemical matters, use of DA forces, and military policy records and reports, prisoner confinement, and correctional records.
Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans
ATTN: DAMO-ZXA-M (FOIA)
400 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0400
Phone: 703-614-2011
Fax: 703-693-2088
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel is authorized to act on requests for case summaries, letters of instruction to boards, behavioral science records, general education records, alcohol and drug prevention and control records. Excluded are individual treatment/test records, which are a responsibility of the Surgeon General.
Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel
ATTN: DAPE-ZXI-IC (FOIA)
300 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0300
Phone: 703-695-3596
Fax: 703-695-3195
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics is authorized to act on requests for records relating to DA logistical requirements and determinations, policy concerning material maintenance and use, equipment standards, and logistical readiness.
Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics
ATTN: DALO-ZXA (FOIA)
500 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0500
Phone: 703-697-4880
Fax: 703-693-6652
The Chief of Engineers is authorized to act on requests for records involving civil works, military construction, engineer procurement, and ecology and the records of the U.S. Amy Engineers, districts, laboratories, and field operating agencies.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN: CEHEC-OC (FOIA)
7701 Telegraph Road
Alexandria, VA 22315-3860
Phone: 703-428-7329
Fax: 703-428-7633
The Surgeon General is authorized to act on requests for medical research and development records and the medical records of active duty military personnel, dependents, and persons given physical examinations or treatment at DA medical facilities, to include alcohol and drug treatment/test records.
U.S. Army Medical Department
ATTN: MCFP (FOIA)
2050 Worth Road, Suite 13
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6013
Phone: 210-221-7826
Fax: 210-221-8564
The Chief of Chaplains is authorized to act on requests for records involving ecclesiastical relationships, rites performed by DA chaplains and nonprivileged communications relating to clergy and active duty chaplains' military personnel files.
Office of the Chief of Chaplains
ATTN: DACH-IMW (FOIA)
2511 Jefferson Davis Highway
Suite 12500
Arlington, VA 22202-3907
Phone: 703-601-1106
Fax: 703-607-5828
The Judge Advocate General is authorized to act on requests for records relating to claims, courts-martial, legal services, and similar legal records. They are also authorized to act on requests for records, if those records relate to litigation in which the United States has an interest.
Office of the Judge Advocate General
ATTN: DAJA-AL (FOIA)
2200 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-2200
Phone: 703-588-6785
Fax: 703-588-0155
The Chief, National Guard Bureau is authorized to act on requests for all personnel and medical records of retired, separated, discharged, deceased, and active Army National Guard military personnel, including technician personnel, unless such records clearly fall within another IDA’s responsibility. This authority includes, but is not limited to, National Guard organization and training files, plans, operations and readiness files, policy files, historical files, files relating to National Guard military support, drug interdiction, civil disturbances, construction, civil works and ecology records dealing with armories, facilities within the states, ranges, etc., Equal Opportunity investigative records, aviation program records and financial records dealing with personnel, operation and maintenance, and equipment budgets.
Office of the Chief, National Guard Bureau
ATTN: NGB-ADM (FOIA)
1411 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 10800
Arlington, VA 22202-3231
Phone: 703-607-3193
Fax: 703-607-3692
The Chief, Army Reserve is authorized to act on requests for all personnel and medical records of retired, separated, discharged, deceased¸ and reserve component military personnel, and all U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) records, unless such records clearly fall within another IDA’s responsibility. Records under the responsibility of the Chief of Army Reserve include records relating to USAR plans, policies, and operations, changes in organizational status of USAR units, mobilization and demobilization policies, active duty tours, and the Individual Mobilization Augmentation program.
Office of the Chief, Army Reserve
ATTN: DAAR-ZXP (FOIA)
1421 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1230
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 703-601-0848
Fax: 703-601-0839
The Commander, U.S. Army Materiel Command is authorized to act on requests for the records of AMC headquarters and it's subordinate commands, units, and activities that relate to procurement, logistics, research, and development, and supply and maintenance operations.
U.S. Army Materiel Command
ATTN: AMCIO-F (FOIA)
5001 Eisenhower Avenue, Room 3W14
Alexandria, VA 22333-0001
Phone: 703-617-8965
Fax: 703-617-7721
The Commander, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command is authorized to act on requests for criminal investigative records of USACIDC headquarters and its subordinate activities. This includes criminal investigation records, investigation-in-progress records, and military police reports that result in criminal investigation reports.
U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command
ATTN: CICR-FP (FOIA)
6010 6th Street, BLDG #1465
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5585
Phone: 703-806-0468
Fax: 703-806-0462
The Commander, U.S. Total Army Personnel Command is authorized to act on requests for military personnel files relating to active duty (other than those of reserve and retired personnel) military personnel matters, personnel locator, physical disability determinations, and other military personnel administration records, records relating to military casualty and memorialization activities, heraldic activities, voting, records relating to identification cards, naturalization and citizenship, commercial solicitation, Military Postal Service Agency and Army postal and unofficial mail service.
U.S. Total Army Personnel Command
ATTN: TAPC-PSO (FOIA)
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0404
Phone: 703-325-4053
Fax: 703-325-3008
The Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management is authorized to act on requests for records relating to planning, programming, execution, and operations of Army installations. This includes base realignment and closure activities, environmental activities other than litigation, facilities and housing activities, and installation management support activities.
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
ATTN: DAIM-MD (FOIA)
600 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0600
Phone: 703-614-1442
Fax: 703-693-6244
The Commander, U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center is authorized to act on requests for records relating to morale, welfare, and recreation activities, nonappropriated funds, child development centers, community life programs, and family action programs, retired activities, club management, Army Emergency Relief, consumer protection, retiree survival benefits and records dealing with DA relationships with Social Security, Veteran's Affairs, United Service Organization, U.S. Soldiers and Airmen's Home, and American Red Cross.
U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center
ATTN: CFSC-MS (FOIA)
4700 King Street, 2nd Floor
Alexandria, VA 22302-4414
Phone: 703-681-7460
Fax: 703-681-7465
The Commander, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command is authorized to act on requests for intelligence investigation and security records, foreign scientific and technological information, intelligence training, mapping and geodesy information, ground surveillance records, intelligence threat assessment, and missile intelligence data relating to tactical land warfare systems.
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
ATTN: IAMG-C-FOI/PO (FOIA)
4552 Pike Road
Fort Meade, MD 20755-5995
Phone: 301-677-4501
Fax: 301-677-2956
The Commander, U.S. Army Safety Center is authorized to act on requests for Army safety records.
U.S. Army Safety Center
ATTN: CSSC-SJA (FOIA)
Fort Rucker, AL 36362-5363
Phone: 334-255-2373
Fax: 334-255-2266
The General Counsel, Army And Air Force Exchange Service is authorized to act on requests for AAFES records.
Army and Air Force Exchange Service
ATTN: PL-C (FOIA)
P.O. Box 660202
Dallas, TX 75266-0202
Phone: 214-312-3831
Fax: 214-312-3456
The Commander, U.S. Army Forces Command is authorized to act on requests for specified command records that are unique to FORSCOM.
U.S. Army Forces Command
ATTN: AFCI-A (FOIA)
1777 Hardy Avenue, SW
Fort McPherson, GA 30330-1062
Phone: 404-464-2552
Fax: 404-464-4563
Submit written requests Jacquelyn Lucas via mail at:
Administrative Services Division
ATTN: Jacquelyn Lucas
8150 Marne Road, BLDG 9230
Fort Moore, GA 31905
FOIA REFERENCES:
FOIA Regulations:
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a Federal law that establishes the public's right to existing records from Government agencies. The FOIA provides for prompt, maximum release of Department of Defense records to the public unless such requested records are specifically exempted from mandatory public disclosure under the FOIA. Only the Secretary of the Army and the Initial Denial Authority (IDA) may deny a request for Army records.
Any person can file a FOIA request, including U.S. citizens, foreign nationals, organizations, universities, business, and state and local government.
Address your request to the Military Command or Installation likely to have the information you are seeking. Be sure to label the request "Freedom of Information Act Request," preferably within the request record and on the envelope. To view a sample FOIA Request memorandum, see FOIA references below.
