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The Freedom of Information Act
What is FOIA?
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a Federal law that establishes the
public's right to request existing records from Federal government agencies.
Who can file a FOIA Request?
Any "person" can file a FOIA request, including U.S. citizens, foreign
nationals, organizations, universities, businesses, and state and local
governments.
Are questions answered under the FOIA?
The FOIA does not require Federal Agencies to answer questions, render
opinions, or provide subjective evaluations. Requesters must ask for existing
records.
How to file a FOIA request.
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Ensure that somewhere on your request it states that it is a Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) request.
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Ensure that the request is signed by the person the request is
concerning. In some cases the requestor may be 3rd party, ie: insurance
agency, ensure that the person in whom the request is regarding signs the
request.
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Describe the specific records you are requesting in enough detail so that
they can be located with a reasonable amount of effort. Generally, a record
is reasonably described with the description contains sufficient
file-related information (type of document, title, subject area, date of
creating, originator, etc.); or the request contains enough event-related
information (date of circumstances surrounding the event the record covers)
to permit the conduct of an organized, non-random search. Because most Navy
records are not retained permanently, the more information provided, the
better opportunity there is to determine if the records would still exist
and where. The FOIA clearly states that records must exist at the time the
request is submitted to be considered.
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Ensure you state your willingness to pay all fees or those up to a
specified amount or provide a justification to support a fee waiver.
Agreements to pay fees are considered to be up to $250.00, unless another
amount is specified. Currently we charge search, review (for commercial
requestors only), and duplicated costs. (The fee schedule is provided at
enclosure (3) of Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42F.) If you seek a
fee waiver, provide a justification for such a waiver.
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Ensure a complete postal service mailing address is provided on the
request in which a response to a FOIA request can be received at.
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Ensure the FOIA request has been signed by the requestor.
FOIA´s should be in written form and mailed or faxed to Captain A. Espinosa,
FOIA Coordinator.
Mail to:
Commanding Officer Mountain Warfare Training Center,
Attn: Base Adjutant (FOIA)
Bridgeport, CA 93517-5001
Or faxed to 760-932-1430 (If faxing a request, do not assume it was received but
follow-up with a phone call to the office.)
For questions, call 760-932-1420
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