MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- A potential compromise of personal information generated by an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs recently may possibly affect a number of active, reserve, retired and discharged Marines of all grades.Manpower and Reserve Affairs for the Marine Corps released Marine Administrative Message 263/06, June 9, to help get the word out to all Marines. The MarAdmin advises Marines of the recent theft and explains steps they may take to protect themselves from any subsequent misuse of their personal information.The Marine Corps Privacy Act Office is awaiting further information from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and DVA to determine the exact scope of the compromise. At this time, there is no evidence that any compromised data has been used illegally, however the DVA is asking all potentially affected personnel to be extra vigilant and to carefully monitor bank statements, credit card statements and any statements relating to recent financial transactions, according to the MarAdmin.M&RA has enacted the following policies for all Manpower Systems that contain Privacy Act Data:- All data files containing Privacy Act Information sent via e-mail must be encrypted using CAC Cards.- Privacy Act Data will not be stored on a mobile or removable storage device.- Data requests/data extracts/messages will have all unnecessary Privacy Act Information removed.- Hard copies of documents containing Privacy Act Information will be shredded when no longer in use.- All documents that contain Privacy Act Information will be marked: For Official Use Only.- Individuals that handle personal information must complete Privacy Act Training.M&RA has set up a web portal that will allow Marines to input their social security numbers to see if they were part of the VA’s affected list. Visit www.manpower.usmc.mil and look under news and features for updated information relating to this topic.The DVA is currently sending out individual notification letters to all Marines affected by the compromise. They have also set up a special link at their Web site, www.firstgov.gov/veteransinfo.shtml and a toll free number, 1-800-333-4636, that affected personnel may call to obtain information about the situation.