The Fort Benning Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act Offices are functions under the purview of the Directorate of Human Resources. Located in Building 2610 in Soldiers’ Plaza, the FOIA and PA allow any person, or their authorized agent, to request copies of agency records. The goal of FOIA is to have informed citizens by providing access to specified government records and the purpose of the Privacy Act is to allow access to your individual records.
Privacy Act requests may be submitted to gain access to individual records, to have information in an individual’s file corrected, and to gain access to an “accounting of disclosures” — a list of all individuals who have accessed a file. While there may be costs associated with processing FOIA requests, there is no charge for PA requests.
In order for a record to be subject to the FOIA, the record must exist and be in the possession and control of the DoD at the time of the request. It is not necessary for Soldiers or civilian employees to go through their chain of command to request information under the FOIA. Requesters are not required to state why they are requesting the information unless such information needs to be factored in a decision to reduce or waive processing fees.
The FOIA acknowledges the public has a right to information concerning the activities of its government. A FOIA request submitted by a member of the public who follows the rules set forth in Army Regulation 25-55, The Department of the Army Freedom of Information Act shall only be withheld when it is exempt from disclosure under one of the nine exemptions located in Chapter 6 of AR 25-55.
In order to submit a FOIA or PA request for records under the purview of Fort Benning, the requester must submit a signed written request to the Directorate of Human Resources, ATTN: FOIA, 7210 Dixie Road, Fort Benning, GA 31905 or e-mail to Benn.G1Hrd.FOIA.ProjectOfficer@conus.army.mil. The request must refer explicitly or implicitly to the Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act. The request must reasonably describe the record requested and state a willingness to pay processing fees associated with the processing of the FOIA request or request a fee waiver. A sample FOIA request letter is located at https://www.benning.army.mil/ag/content/AdminServices.htm.
For more information on FOIA or PA requests, contact the Fort Benning FOIA/PA Office at 706-545-5356.
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