Handbook

• How to Make a FOIA Request
• Where and How to File a FOIA Appeal

• Department of Defense FOIA Guidance
• Department of Defense Directive 5400.07
• Department of Defense Directive 5400.7R
• Defense Freedom of Information Policy Office
• Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Staff
• United States Department of Justice
• Reading Room
  5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2)(A) Records - Final opinions and orders made in the adjudication of cases that may be cited, used, or relied upon as precedents in future adjudications.
       Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals
  
  5 U.S.C. § 552 (a)(2)(B) Records - Statements of policy and interpretations that have been adopted by the agency and are not published in the Federal Register.
       Directive Type Media
  
  5 U.S.C. § 552 (a)(2)(C) Records - Administrative staff manuals and instructions, or portions thereof, that establish DoD policy or interpretations of policy that affect the public.
       DoD Directive 5400.07
       DoD Reading Room
  
  5 U.S.C. § 552 (a)(2)(D) Records - Records released to the public, under the FOIA, that are or will likely become the subject of subsequent requests.
       No Records Currently Available

This EUCOM FOIA Requester Service Center is the initial point of contact for FOIA requesters to receive status updates and appropriate information about requests at EUCOM. Any requesters who have concerns about the service they are receiving from this FOIA Requester Service Center can raise their concerns with the Defense Department's FOIA Public Liaison at 703-588-6820, DSN 425-6820 or by email at foia.liaison@whs.mil

United States European Command (USEUCOM) FOIA Requestor Service Center email address: foiarequest@eucom.mil

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) FOIA web page can be accessed at www.africom.mil.

This section will help you through EUCOM's Freedom of Information Act Request process.

(You may submit your request in several different forms: electronic, written, or fax)

Label your request "Freedom of Information Act Request"

Describe the specific record(s) you are seeking with enough detail so that officials may locate the record without much effort. Such detail should include descriptive information, time-frame to be searched, etc. The more information provided, the better opportunity there is to determine if the records would still exist and where. The FOIA states that records must exist at the time the request is submitted to be considered.

State you willingness to pay all fees or those up to a specified amount or provide 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 duplication costs.

Include your complete postal service mailing address on your request.

(The next step in preparing to submit your request is deciding how to send the request)

Submitting Your Request to Headquarter U.S. European Command. You may submit your request via the postal service, the online request form, email or fax. You will find this information on the "Point of Contact"page.

Note: If the records you seek are not held by EUCOM, your request will be forwarded to the appropriate agency as a referral.

Step 3: Processing Your Request

The FOIA allows "any person" to seek access to "agency records." EUCOM processes many FOIA requests for various information and only in about 20% of the cases is information denied.

You will receive a response to your request. Please keep in mind that the 20 working days time limit begins when the activity holding the record(s) receives your request and does not include Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays.

Due to shrinking budgets, downsizing, complexity of certain requests, the need for classification and legal review, coupled with the number of requests received for processing, some EUCOM activities may not be able to respond to your FOIA request within 20 working days. To ensure fair and equitable treatment, your request will be placed in a multi-track "first-in, first out" queue; one for simple request, one for complex requests, and one for expedited requests.

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If your request was initially denied in whole or in part, the letter advising you of the denial or your request should also have advised you of your right to appeal the determination within 60 days. If you wish to make an appeal you must file your appeal with the correct appellate authority within sixty (60) days. The appellate authority for EUCOM is the FOIA Appeals and Policy Branch, DFOISR. This information, including an address, will be located on all returned request that are denied in whole or in part.

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