FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

Introduction

This page provides information on making a FOIA request to commands within the Naval Air Training Command and area base installations, with hyper links to the Department of the Navy (DON) United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense FOIA web pages.

FOIA (5 U.S.C. 552) allows members of the public to obtain copies of existing records from the Federal Government. FOIA is implemented in the Department of the Navy (DON), Freedom of Information Act Program (SECNAVINST 5720.42F). For additional information on FOIA please visit the FOIA Resources page on the DoN CIO website.

Step 1: Preparing Your FOIA Request

  1. Your request should state: "This is a Freedom of Information Act Request."
  2. Describe the specific record(s) you are seeking with enough detail so that a knowledgeable agency official can locate the record(s) with a reasonable amount of effort. Details should include descriptive information, time frame to be searched, full names and any other information that may assist in identifying the subject of the request.
  3. Because most Navy records are not retained permanently, the more information provided, the better opportunity there is to determine if the records still exist and where. The Freedom of Information Act clearly states that records must exist at the time of the request. Also, agencies are not required to create a record to comply with your request.
  4. The Freedom of Information Act does not require agencies to answer questions, venture opinions, or conduct independent inquiries to satisfy queries from the public. Please ensure that your request asks for records, not answers to questions.
  5. Freedom of Information Act authorizes agencies to estimate and collect fees associated with the search for, review and duplication of federal records. State your willingness to pay all fees or those fees up to a specified amount, and if applicable, provide supporting information or documentation to justify a fee wavier.
  6. Be sure to include your name, complete mailing address, and telephone number.

Step 2: Submitting Your FOIA Request

If the records you seek are held by the Chief of Naval Air Training or if you are not sure where to submit your request, you may use any of the following methods to submit a Freedom of Information Act request.

  1. Submit your request in writing to the:

    Chief of Naval Air Training
    Code 00D (FOIA)
    250 Lexington Blvd., Ste. 102
    Corpus Christi, TX 78419-041
  2. Submit your request via FAX to (361) 961-4450.
  3. Submit your request via the web to our FOIA Coordinator.

If the records you seek are not held by the Chief of Naval Air Training, your request will be forwarded to the Department of Navy component(s) most likely to have records meeting your description.

Step 3: Processing Your FOIA Request

When a DON activity receives a "perfected" FOIA request, an acknowledgement letter will be sent to the requester (via mail, email, fax, etc.) within 3 business days. The acknowledgement will provide the requester with the date the request was received, a case tracking number, and a point of contact and telephone number to address any questions.

Requests that are not "perfected" will be responded to within 10 working days, apprising the requester of what additional information is needed to "perfect" the request.

To ensure fair and equitable treatment, Freedom of Information Act requests are placed in a multi-track "first-in, first-out," queue. This command operates a three-track system: one for simple requests, one for complex requests and one for expedited requests. By narrowly focusing your request, you can assist us to more quickly and thoroughly process your request.

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

Please allow 20 working days and appropriate mail time to elapse before submitting a FOIA STATUS REQUEST FORM (see below) to a FOIA Requester Service Center for a status.

If, after the 20 working day period, you are unable to discern the status of your request, you may fill out a FOIA STATUS REQUEST FORM and submit it to a DON FOIA Requester Service Center for a status. The FOIA Requester Service Center for the Naval Air Training Command is:

Point of Contact
Dave German
Phone: (901) 874-3165
Fax: (901) 874-2615
Email: dave.german@navy.mil

Address
Commander
Navy Personnel Command (Code Pers 00J6)
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38066-0600

Step 4: Appeals

You may appeal the denial of information. Your letter of appeal must be postmarked within 60 calendar days of the date of the denial letter. At a minimum, an appeal letter should state the following information:

  1. Why the denial may be in error, and
  2. Reason(s) why your appeal should be granted.

You should include a copy of your original request and a copy of the response letter denying your request. It is recommended you clearly mark your letter and the envelope "Freedom of Information Act Appeal."

Appellate authorities for the Department of the Navy are the office of General Counsel and the Office of the Judge Advocate General.

For Freedom of Information Act matters pertaining to business and commercial law, civilian personnel issues, and environmental matters, please submit your appeal to:

Office of the General Counsel
720 Kennon Street SE Room 214
Washington Navy Yard DC 20374-5012

For Freedom of Information Act matters pertaining to military law and all other matters except those falling under the General Counsel, please submit your appeal to:

Office of the Judge Advocate General
General Litigation Division (Code 14)
1332 Patterson Ave SE Suite 3000
Washington Navy Yard DC 20374-5066

Freedom of Information Act Resources