Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Sometimes your FOIA requests go into the Navy Blackhole

I received this response today from the Navy's FOIA office about CTs killed or wounded in the GWOT/OCO. Note that my request was sent to them via their online processing system 6 months ago.

"Your message


To: FOIA

Subject: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

Sent: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:22:38 -0400

was not read Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:46:20 -0400਍"
at

4 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 29, 2010 at 9:27 PM

    This is a step forward. The Navy has taken some sort of action.........they've chosen not to read your request. Next they can choose to classify the information and deny your request on national security grounds.

    ReplyDelete
  2. RotorheadJune 30, 2010 at 1:47 PM

    CAPT-
    Get a JAG officer on the line. Policy - at least at the O-level - requires a response to any FOIA request within 14 days (if I remember correctly from the legal-for-dummies course I took last year). Can't say what is done with them above O-level, but I'd push the JAG button if you have one.
    V/r
    RH

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJuly 4, 2010 at 11:33 AM

    They're not blowing you off on purpose. They had a technical glitch so instead of stirring up the JAGs, I'd recommend either resubmit online or give them a call.

    That said, the FOIA office is only going to refer your request to the appropriate Navy agency that tracks causualties, most likely BUPERS.

    However, your request sounds more like a research request. Since there is no requirement to tabulate casualties by rating, rank, home state, or other criteria that I know of, it's unlikely that a simple FOIA is going to answer the question.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJuly 11, 2010 at 6:02 PM

    Official DoD casualty reports:

    ReplyDelete