This Service Center was designed to assist the public in making Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical (JTF CapMed) records. The information obtained herein is not intended to be definitive or exhaustive. The FOIA, which is known by its legal cite as Title 5 U.S.C. § 552, along with the Department of Defense (DOD) Regulation 5400.7-R, governs how requests will be processed within JTF CapMed. Because JTF CapMed must comply with national security laws, some documents or parts of documents may be exempt from release. See FOIA exemptions under “How to File a FOIA Request” for more information. This FOIA Requester Service Center is the initial point of contact for FOIA requesters to receive status, updates and appropriate information about their requests. Any requesters which have concerns about the service they are receiving from this FOIA Requester Service Center can raise their concerns with the FOIA Liaison Officer, Chief of FOIA Policy, Appeals and Litigation.
How to file a FOIA request
Essential Elements of a FOIA Request Letter:
Send the letter to the following address, or make your request online or by fax: Office of Freedom of Information1155 Defense PentagonWashington, DC 20301 Online at: http://www.dod.mil/pubs/foi/. Or via Fax: (703) 696-4506
Sample of a FOIA request letter
Office of Freedom of Information1155 Defense PentagonWashington, DC 20301
Dear FOIA Officer,I am requesting records on [identify the subject(s) or record(s) as clearly and specifically as possible.]If there are any fees for searching, reviewing, or copying the records, please let me know before you task my request. [or, please supply the records without informing me of the cost if the fees do not exceed a certain dollar amount, which I will agree to pay.]If you deny all or any part of this request, please cite each specific exemption you think justifies your refusal to release the information and notify me of appeal procedures available under the law.Optional: If you have any questions about this request, you may call me at (home phone) or at my (office phone).
Sincerely,Name
Fee Categories
Fees - The FOIA provides for the collection of fees for:
Search Cost: NoneReview Cost: NoneReproduction Cost: First 100 pages free. 10 cents per page after that.
Category: Commercial and all others Search Cost: Clerical $12 per hour; Professional $25 per hour; Executive $45 per hourReview Cost: Clerical $12 per hour; Professional $25 per hour; Executive $45 per hour Reproduction Cost: 10 cents per page.
Category: News MediaSearch Cost: None Review Cost: None Reproduction Cost: First 100 pages free. 10 cents per page after that.
Fee Waivers
The FOIA provides for “request of a fee waiver” when the disclosure of the information is in the public interest and not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. These two requirements can be applied using the following criteria:
Public Interest:
No Commercial Interest:
The requester can get a fee waiver if the information disclosed is in the public interest. The information provided is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the U.S. Government.
Fee Waiver Appeals
Denials of requests for fee waivers or reductions may be appealed to the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs Office via the JTF CapMed FOIA Officer. Requesters are encouraged to explain how their requests satisfy the legal requirements under fee waivers as outlined under the “Fee Waiver” section.
FOIA Exemptions
Records that meet the FOIA exemption criteria may be withheld from public disclosure and do not have to be published in the Federal Register, made available in a library reading room, or provided in response to a FOIA request. The following types of records may be withheld in whole or in part from public disclosure under the FOIA:
Your Rights
Under Executive Order 12958, you have the right to request review of specific documents for declassification and release to the public.