FOIA

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA):

The FOIA was signed into law in 1966. The FOIA provides individuals with a statutory right of access to certain federal agency records. The FOIA requires agencies to disclose requested records unless they are protected from public disclosure by the FOIA. Congress included in the FOIA nine exemptions and three law enforcement exclusions to protect important interests such as national security, personal privacy, privileged communications, and law enforcement.

submit a FOIA/PA request

If you would like to submit a FOIA/PA request, please do so online via the new portal at www.securerelease.us. This is the fastest and most reliable way to send us your request, and it ensures that all requests are properly and accurately tracked from the date/time of submission. To help the Marine Corps respond to your request as quickly as possible, please submit it to the correct agency after reviewing the information below.

For your own Official Military Personnel File

Retired/Discharged/Separated before 1999
www.archives.gov/veterans

Retired/Discharged/Separated after 1999:
smb.manpower.mmrp-10@usmc.mil

For the OMPF of Marine Corps Veterans who were retired, discharged, or deceased before 1999—National Archives and Records Administration
www.archives.gov/foi

For your own medical record(the Marine Corps does not maintain medical records)

Retired/Discharged/Separated before May 1, 1994
www.archives.gov/veterans

Retired/Discharged/Separated between May 1, 1994, and December 31, 2013
www.va.gov

Retired/Discharged/Separated on or after January 1, 2014
https://www.med.navy.mil/Navy-Medicine-Records-Activity/

For awards verification and replacement requests
hqmcMMMA.awards.veteransrequests@usmc.mil

For USMC firearms histories
Please submit your request directly to the Marine Corps Logistics Command.

For background checks
smb.manpower.mmrp-10@usmc.mil

For Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) records
Please submit your request to the United States Navy via the SecureRelease portal.

For other non-HQMC records (including PMO reports, traffic accident reports, command investigations, FAP, etc.), submit your request directly to the command that would have custody of them, if you know.
For command points of contact (names, email addresses and phone numbers), please see the list attached (Hyperlink to https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Portals/61/Docs/FOIA/20240129-%20FOIA-PA%20POCs.pdf?ver=RXtjJ4eQZQmBkBu81snrTQ%3d%3d.)

IMPORTANT

When submitting your request, be sure to provide

Your full name.
Contact information (address, email, and/or phone number).
A complete and specific description of the Marine Corps records you are looking for.
The amount you are willing to pay.
If applicable, your request for a fee waiver or expedited processing with a full explanation of the basis.

Useful Sources

DoD FOIA Handbook
https://open.defense.gov/Transparency/FOIA/FOIA-Handbook/

How to file a FOIA Appeal
https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Agencies/USMC-FOIA/Where-and-how-to-file-an-appeal/

I MEF FOIA/PA Coordinator POC

Email
imef_foia@usmc.mil

Phone
760-725-9249/4819