FOIA Advisor

Q&A: The Longest Day?

Q&A (2015-2023)Allan BlutsteinComment

Q. I requested the results of an “AR 15-6” investigation by the U.S. Army in July 2018. How long does a FOIA request generally take?

A.  If an AR 15-6 investigation is as detailed as a typical federal prosecution file, then the Army’s delayed response is unsurprising.  I cannot accurately predict, however, how much longer it might take.  Note that the Army receives approximately 25,000 requests annually.  Although many of them are "simple" requests that closed within two months, "complex" requests such as yours invariably will take longer. You might consider contacting the Army’s FOIA Requester Service Center at (571) 515-0306. If you are not satisfied with the response from this center, contact the Army FOIA Public Liaison, Alecia Bolling, at (571) 515-0306.