Kerry allows Navy release of military, medical records (Navy provided them to Boston Globe)

boston Globe ^ | June 7, 2005 | Michael Kranish

[El Gato]

He did not sign anything I'll bet.

Bet he did, but he signed a limited release of documents. You can do that on the SF-180.(Warning PDF file)

One can limit what records are released and who they are released to. I believe I read the form was sent to the Navy, whereas the SF-180 instructions indicate that Navy personnel Discharged, deceased, or retired 1/1/1886 – 1/30/1994 (enlisted) or 1/1/1903 – 1/30/1994 (officer) should have the request sent to the National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records) in St. Louis, MO.

[El Gato]

Any one here can submit a Freedom of Information Act request to the Bureau of Personnel in Millington, TN and ask for a copy of the record.

Kerry's records, like mine, are in the national archives in St. Louis, because he was discharged before '94. Everyone's records end up there eventually.

[El Gato]

Now that's JF'nK signed the SF-180 can't anyone request the ALL the files under the FOIA?

No, the SF-180 can be filed in such a way as to release the records to only a single person, including the individual themselves, or a single entity, like the Boston Globe, without making it available to the general public.

[El Gato]

I served for many years...1980-2004, in both active duty and reserve components of the Army. I would not release my record. It's nobody's business.

True, unless you are making claims about that record that seem a bit askew, and are running for public office based in part upon those claims. Then your opponents, and the voters, have a legitimate claim on those records.

If you don't want people to see the records, as is your right, then don't be using what you purport to be in them to further your own interests.

[El Gato]

I don't know Form 180 from Shinola but I would be that there is a place on it that names who the file is to be given to. Eventually it will come out that no one else can get a copy of the file except the one designated on that form.

That's the way it is. Bush signed one allowing general release. Kerry probably signed one only allowing the Boston Globe, or a favored writer thereof, access. Assuming the documents released recently are a result of that signing, or even it they are not. Kerry might have signed a SF-180 that merely requested copies of the records for his own use. He could then release records at his leisure, or not at all.