USMC FOIA PUBLIC LIAISON is a location where a FOIA requester is dissatisfied with the FOIA REQUESTER SERVICE CENTER's assistance, he/she may then elevate his/her issue up to the USMC FOIA PUBLIC LIAISON.

MARSOC FOIA OFFICE is a location where a FOIA requester would submit a request dealing with MARSOC issues. MARSOC FOIA OFFICE is also responsible for Partial and Full denials within MARSOC’s area of responsibility.

ARE QUESTIONS ANSWERED UNDER THE FOIA?

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

HOW TO FILE A FOIA REQUEST.

Ensure that somewhere on your request it states that it is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

Ensure that the request is signed by the person the request is concerning. In some cases the requestor may be 3rd party, ie: insurance agency, ensure that the person in whom the request is regarding signs the request.

Describe the specific records you are requesting in enough detail so that they can be located with a reasonable amount of effort. Generally, a record is reasonably described when the description contains sufficient file-related information (type of document, title, subject area, date of creating, originator, etc.); or the request contains enough event-related information (date of circumstances surrounding the event the record covers) to permit the conduct of an organized, non-random search.

Because most Marine Corps records are not retained permanently, the more information provided, the better opportunity there is to determine if the records would still exist and where. The FOIA clearly states that records must exist at the time the request is submitted to be considered.

Ensure you state your willingness to pay all fees or those up to a specified amount or provide a 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 duplicated costs. (The fee schedule is provided at enclosure (3) of Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42F.) If you seek a fee waiver, provide a justification for such a waiver.

Ensure a complete postal service mailing address is provided on the request in which a response to a FOIA request can be received at.

Ensure the FOIA request has been signed by the requestor.

Filing an Official Complaint

FOIA requesters who have questions concerning the processing of their requests by any USMC component within our listed Area of Responsibility should contact this Center at (910) 440-0956. If you are not satisfied with the response received from this Center, you may contact Ms. Teresa D. Ross, the U.S. Marine Corps FOIA Public Liaison by telephone at (703) 614-4008 or by e-mail at smbusmcpublicliaison@usmc.mil.