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Freedom of Information Act
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Freedom of Information Act

MCAS Beaufort’s Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) Office is responsible for the administration of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act Programs aboard MCAS Beaufort, Laurel Bay Military Housing and Townsend Bombing Range. All requests for records from the previous mentioned stations MUST be submitted to this office.

FOIA/Privacy Act request may be submitted via foiaonline.gov or by contacting the FOIA/Privacy Act Coordinator at:

 

Mailing:     

Commanding Officer

Attn: OSJA

PO BOX 55001

Beaufort, SC 29904

 

Telephone: (843)228-7417  

 

Email: bfrt_foia@usmc.mil

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What is FOIA?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), (5 U.S.C. § 552), allows an individual (regardless of nationality), a private organization or company, or a local, state, or foreign government to seek access to Executive Branch agency records, such as those held by the U.S. Marine Corps.  As a component of the Department of the Navy, Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42G, Department of the Navy FOIA Program, governs the Marine Corps FOIA Program.

 

What is the Privacy Act?

The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) regulates the federal government’s collection, safeguarding, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personal identifiable information (PII) about individuals that is maintained in system of records by federal agencies.

 

How do I submit a request?

Both FOIA and Privacy Act requests may be submitted via foiaonline.gov following the below steps:

  1. Create an account.
  2. Create a new request.
  3. Select an agency:    
  1. Department of the Navy – including Marine Corps
  2. Sub Agency: United States Marine Corps
  3. Sub Agency: Marine Corps Installations Command
  4. Sub Agency: Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
  5. Sub Agency: Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
  1. Request Type: either FOIA or PA (Privacy Act)
  2. Complete all contact information to include a reliable telephone number, email address AND address.
  3. Describe in detail specific records being requested, ensuring not to include any PII in description.
  4. Apply for a fee waiver or expediting processing (if applicable).
  5. Attach any supporting documentation to request.
  6. Submit.

 

Can I asked questions under FOIA?

The FOIA does not require Federal agencies to answer questions, render opinions, or provided subjective evaluations. Requesters must ask for existing records.

 

How much does it cost to submit a FOIA request?

There are no initial fees required to submit a FOIA request. However, if the request is expected to exceed $25, the requester will be notified. The fee schedule is below. Requesters may also submit a fee waiver. Under FOIA, fee waivers are limited to requesters who can show that disclosure of records is in the public interest as it will contribute to the public’s understanding of the operations/activities of the government.

  1. Commercial Use Requester: required to pay all fees to include search, review and duplication.
  2. Educational/Non-Scientific Institutions and News Media: required to pay duplication fees where first 100 pages of duplication are free.
  3. “Other” Requesters: all others who do not fall into either of the previous categories. Required to pay search and duplication fees where the first two hours of search are free and the first 100 pages of duplication are free.

 

How long does it take to process a FOIA/PA request?

All request will be processed in the order it was received. The processing of all requests will be completed within 20 working days (excluding federal holidays and weekends). You will be notified if more time is needed to process your request.

 

 

Filing an Official Complaint

 

Requesters who have issues concerning the processing of their request should direct questions to the SJA’s Office on MCAS Beaufort at (843)228-7417. If you are not satisfied with the response received, you may contact the MCIEAST FOIA Requester Service Center at (910)451-0600 or foia.mcieast@usmc.mil

For additional assistance, you may contact the HQMC FOIA Public Liaison at (703)614-4008 or smbusmcpublicliaison@usmc.mil.

Freedom of Information Act Service Center for this area

MCIEAST FOIA SERVICE CENTER

(Attn: MCIEAST FOIA Coordinator)

PSC Box 20005

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina 28542

M_MCIE-SERVCTR_FOIA@usmc.mil