Dont ComplyThe Government Accountability Office reported on October 16, 2026, that the military services reported 49 improper releases of personnel records affecting more than 1,000 service members from fiscal years 2021 through 2025. In a covert test of 26 records requests to the Department of Defense, GAO said one of 18 processed requests was improperly released without redacting personally identifiable information. GAO also found staffing limits slowed responses; during its review the Navy had one employee processing FOIA requests, and average processing time rose from 1.6 to 55.5 days, according to officials. For health records, GAO said the Defense Health Agency relies on a complex system of multiple data systems that complicates requests. GAO made five recommendations, including workforce planning analyses and a review of health records processing. DOD generally concurred with the recommendations.
Why it matters
Improper releases of personnel and health records expose service members' personal information, and GAO said delays and staffing gaps could also increase exposure to litigation costs. All five recommendations remain open.
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