OSD/Joint Staff FOIA release (case 22-F-1178)

COLD OPEN: This is a declassified document from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by John Greenewald Jr. of The Black Vault. The document, released on February 22, 2024, is a response to a 2022 FOIA request and contains an email chain related to the review of a screenplay titled "Alone" by the Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review. The document can be found on The Black Vault's website, with the canonical PDF available at documents2.theblackvault.com/documents/osd/22-F-1178.pdf. PROVENANCE: The document was released in response to FOIA case number 22-F-1178, which was received by the Office of the Secretary of Defense on July 26, 2022. The Washington Headquarters Service, Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review, conducted a search of their records systems and located 10 pages determined to be responsive to the request. However, portions of the responsive pages were exempt from release pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552 (b)(6), information which, if disclosed, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of individuals. THE DOCUMENT: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION DIVISION 1155 DEFENSE PENTAGON WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1155 Ref: 22-F-1178 February 22, 2024 Mr. John Greenewald The Black Vault, Inc. 27305 W. Live Oak Rd. Suite #1203 Castaic, CA 91384 Dear Mr. Greenewald: This is a final response to your July 26, 2022, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, a copy of which is enclosed for your convenience. We received your request on July 26, 2022, and assigned it FOIA case number 22-F-1178. We ask that you use this number when referring to your request. The Washington Headquarters Service, Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review, a component of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, conducted a search of their records systems and located 10 pages determined to be responsive to your request. Mr. Paul Jacobsmeyer, DOPSR Deputy, in his capacity as an Initial Denial Authority, has determined that portions of the 10 responsive pages are exempt from release pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552 (b)(6), information which, if disclosed, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of individuals. The email chain begins with a message from Kelly McHale, Security Review Specialist at the Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review, to Luis Elizondo on December 3, 2020. Ms. McHale writes, "I'm sorry you didn't receive the response. I sent it on Monday. The screenplay titled 'Alone' is cleared for public release." The email is attached to a final response letter and the first page of the screenplay with the clearance stamp. The email chain continues with a message from Luis Elizondo to Kelly McHale on December 3, 2020, in which he expresses concern that he never received the confirmation or adjudication of the review. He asks Ms. McHale to send him the final adjudication. CONTEXT: The Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review is responsible for reviewing and clearing documents for public release. The agency has a long history of reviewing and clearing documents related to national security and defense. OUTRO: This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. A declassified document, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, reveals the inner workings of the Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review. The document provides a glimpse into the review process for a screenplay titled "Alone" and the agency's decision to clear it for public release. The document can be found on The Black Vault's website, with the canonical PDF available at documents2.theblackvault.com/documents/osd/22-F-1178.pdf.