United States Naval Academy | Freedom of Information Act

USNA FOIA Program

FOIA Request	Fee Category
Processing Request	Reading Room
Request Letter	Contact Us

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552, allows any individual to seek access to federal agency records. Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42F, Department of the Navy Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program, governs implementation of the FOIA at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA).

For more information about USNA FOIA Program contact our FOIA Office at 410-293-1550.

Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are to sites that are not located at the United States Naval Academy. USNA is not responsible for the content found on these sites. In addition, the content of these sites may not reflect the opinions, standards, policy or endorsement of the Naval Academy or the United States Government.

The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552

For more information about the FOIA or Privacy Act, please visit the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations websites at http://foia.navy.mil or http://privacy.navy.mil.

For FOIA and PA policy issues/guidance refer to the following Secretary of the Navy and Naval Academy instructions:

Requesting a Record under FOIA

Your request must be prepared in writing. Label your request "Freedom of Information Act Request" on the request, as well as the envelope.

Describe the specific record(s) you are seeking with sufficient detail so that a knowledgeable official of the activity may locate the record with a reasonable amount of effort. Be specific, include dates, timeframes, and the name(s) of individual(s) who may have knowledge of the subject of your request. Once the FOIA Office has determined that your request meets minimum processing requirements, it will then be forwarded to an appropriate command official who will be requested to conduct a search for the requested record.

State you willingness to pay applicable search, review, and duplication fees. Or, if you wish to request a fee waiver, you must provide a detailed written justification to support your request.
Include your complete postal service mailing address, point of contact, and telephone number along with your request.

Submit Your Request

You may submit your request by one of the following methods:

U.S. Mail:
Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy
Attention FOIA Coordinator
121 Blake Road
Annapolis, MD 21402-1300

Fax:
410-293-1574

E-mail:
FOIA@usna.edu

Processing Request

Upon receipt of a FOIA request, the request will be reviewed to ensure that it meets minimum processing requirements. To meet minimum processing requirements, a request must be in writing, cite or imply FOIA, describe the record(s) sought so that a knowledgeable official can conduct search with reasonable effort. If fees are applicable, the request must also include a statement regarding willingness to pay all fees or those up to a specified amount, or you may request a waiver or deduction of fees.

The 20 working day statutory timeframe begins when an activity receives a "perfected" request. This does not include Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays.

In some instances, information sought in a FOIA request may be withheld from disclosure if it is:

* Properly and currently classified in the interest of national defense or foreign policy.

* Related solely to internal personnel rules and practices, the release of which would allow circumvention of a statute or rule.

* Protected by a statute that specifically exempts the information.

* Commercial or financial information, or trade secrets which were obtained from a non-government source, the disclosure of which would likely cause substantial harm to the competitive position of the source providing information.

* Pre-decisional opinions and recommendations, inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters that show foreseeable harm if released. Attorney-client privilege information and attorney-work product information are also covered under this category.

* Information that is found in personnel and medical files, as well as similar personal information in other files that, if disclosed to a requester, other than the person about whom the information pertains, would result in a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.

* Information or records compiled for law enforcement purposes, which (a) could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings, (b) would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication, (c) could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy of a living person, including surviving family members, (d) disclose the identity of a confidential source, (e) disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, (f) could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of an individual.

* Records that are contained in or related to examination, operation or condition reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of any agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions.

* A record containing geological and geophysical information and data (including maps) concerning wells.

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Sample FOIA Request Letter

Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy
Attention: FOIA Coordinator
121 Blake Road
Annapolis, MD 21402-1300

Dear Sir/Madam:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

I request that a copy of the following document(s) be provided to me (describe each document you seek with sufficient detail, including date and/or time period to be searched):

To assist you in determining my fee payment category, you should know that I am (insert the category provided below that applies to you or your company):

A representative of the news media.

Affiliated with an educational or noncommercial scientific institution.

Affiliated with a private business and am seeking information for use in the company's business.

An individual seeking information for personal use and not for commercial use.

(Optional) I request a waiver of fees for this request because disclosure of the requested information to me is in the public interest, is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the Department of the Navy, and is not primarily in my commercial interest. (Include details about how the requested information will be disseminated by you to the general public).

You may contact me or (name of representative) concerning this request at (area code and telephone number).

Sincerely,

(Requester's signature [and complete address if not shown on letterhead]).

Fee Payment Category

Requesters should submit, along with their written request, a fee payment declaration appropriate for the categories listed below, if fees are expected to exceed the minimum fee threshold of $15

* A representative of the media affiliated with (give name of media – television station, newspaper, magazine, etc.) and this request is made as a part of news-gathering and not for commercial use. I am willing to pay reasonable standard charges for document duplication which exceeds the first 100 pages.

* Affiliated with an educational or noncommercial scientific institution. This request is made for a scholarly purpose and the records sought are not for commercial use. I am willing to pay reasonable standard charges for document duplication which exceeds the first 100 pages.

* Affiliated with a private business and am seeking information for use in the company's business. I am willing to pay all reasonable search, review and duplication costs associated with processing this request.

* An individual seeking information for personal use and not for commercial use. I am willing to pay all fees associated with processing this request up to $(state amount) of the amount which exceeds 2 hours of search effort and duplication of 100 pages. If you estimate that the total processing fees will exceed this amount, please inform me prior to initiating a search for responsive records.

Reading Room

USNA's Electronic Reading Room contains a collection of documents frequently requested and released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view these documents.

(a)(2)(A) Materials

The Naval Academy does not possess this type of records.

(a)(2)(B) Materials

The Naval Academy does not possess this type of records.

(a)(2)(C) Materials

Instructions / Notices: http://www.usna.edu/AdminSupport/instructions.htm
Telephone Books, Key Personnel: Names of individuals are not releasable information and are exempt from disclosure under U.S.C. 552(b)(2) and (b)(6). Under exemption (b)(2), disclosure of this information would result in circumvention of Department of Defense (DOD) statutes and regulations concerning the security of DOD personnel and operations. Under exemption (b)(6), release would result in a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.; Telephone books do not exist.; Top seven officials who are not protected by the disclosure statement:
Questions Regarding Contracts: The Naval Academy no longer awards contracts. Questions regarding contracts should be addressed to:
Midshipmen Mailing Addresses: Names of individuals are not releasable and are exempt from disclosure under 5 U.S.C. § 552 (b) (2) and (b)(6). Under exemption (b)(2) disclosure of this information would result in circumvention of Department of Defense (DOD) statutes and regulations concerning the security of DOD personnel and operations. Under exemption (b)(6), release would result in a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.; Department of Defense (DOD) policy in DOD FOIA Program, DoD 5400.7-R, C3.2.1.6.2. states, “Home addresses, including private e-mail addresses, are normally not releasable without the consent of the individuals concerned. This includes lists of home addressees and military quarters’ addresses without the occupant’s name…
Official Mailing Addresses: View or download list (.pdf file)
Purchase Card Holders: View or download list (.pdf file)

We value your input. To submit your questions regarding the Naval Academy FOIA Program, contact the FOIA Coordinator, FOIA@usna.edu

USNA FOIA Record Requests
You may request a copy of a Naval Academy record by one of the following methods:

Mailing Address:
Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy
Attention: FOIA Coordinator
121 Blake Rd
Annapolis, MD 21402-1300

Fax:
(410) 293-1574

E-mail:
FOIA@usna.edu