The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 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 or Air Force and the Initial Denial Authorities (IDAs) may deny a request for records.

The Privacy Act of 1974, establishes a Code of Fair Information Practice that governs the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information about individuals that is maintained in systems of records by federal agencies. A system of records is a group of records under the control of an agency from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifier assigned to the individual. The Privacy Act requires that agencies give the public notice of their systems of records by publication in the Federal Register. The Privacy Act prohibits the disclosure of information from a system of records absent the written consent of the subject individual, unless the disclosure is pursuant to one of twelve statutory exceptions. The Act also provides individuals with a means by which to seek access to and amendment of their records, and sets forth various agency record-keeping requirements.

How to submit a FOIA request

Freedom of Information Officer

Freedom of Information Officer
Directorate of Human Resources/Admin Services Div
Building 56
1st Floor, Room 114
Rock Island, IL 61299-5000

COMM: 309-782-1320
DSN: 793-1320
Email: usarmy.ria.imcom-central.mbx.usag-foiapa@army.mil