Marine Corps Order 3574.2

Marine Corps Order 3574.2
Title	Marine Corps Order 3574.2
Type	Administrative Order
Issued by	United States Marine Corps
Date issued	(See Amendments and History)
Subject	Personnel privacy, information handling, and release procedures
Jurisdiction	United States Marine Corps, Department of the Navy

Marine Corps Order 3574.2 Marine Corps Order 3574.2 is an administrative directive that establishes procedures for handling, protecting, and releasing personally identifiable information and sensitive data within the United States Marine Corps. It clarifies standards for record classification, disclosure authorization, and coordination with civilian agencies and defense partners. The order aligns Marine Corps practice with federal statutes and Department of Defense policies to ensure consistent treatment of privacy and information release across commands.

Background and Purpose

The order was developed in response to evolving federal statutes and executive directives governing privacy, records management, and information security, reflecting influences from Privacy Act of 1974, Freedom of Information Act, and E-Government Act of 2002. It draws upon precedent set by Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, and component directives such as DoD Directive 5400.11 and other service-level privacy policies. The purpose is to protect service member and civilian employee privacy while enabling lawful transparency with entities like Congress, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and state authorities. Historical events that shaped the order include heightened public scrutiny following incidents involving disclosure disputes in operations tied to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and interagency coordination lessons from responses to events like the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

Scope and Applicability

Marine Corps Order 3574.2 applies to all Marine Corps personnel, including active duty members, United States Marine Corps Reserve personnel, civilian employees under the United States Civil Service, contractors engaged under Federal Acquisition Regulation terms, and associated units stationed at installations such as Marine Corps Base Quantico, Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. It is applicable to records maintained in electronic systems managed under Defense Information Systems Agency infrastructure, as well as physical files held by commands supporting operations in theaters associated with United States European Command, United States Indo-Pacific Command, and United States Central Command. The order governs interactions with external entities including state National Guard organizations, allied militaries like the British Armed Forces, international organizations such as NATO, and civilian agencies like Department of Homeland Security.

Key Provisions and Requirements

The order prescribes classification of records and delineates release protocols consistent with the Privacy Act of 1974 and Freedom of Information Act. It requires designated release authorities to assess requests against exemptions arising from statutes like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and protections reflecting national security interests tied to National Security Council guidance. Provisions include mandatory privacy impact assessments for information systems under E-Government Act of 2002 criteria, retention and destruction schedules coordinated with the National Archives and Records Administration, and safeguarding measures compatible with DoD Cyber Strategy principles. The order establishes standards for handling third-party personally identifiable information during operations with partners such as United States Agency for International Development and coordination on legal holds related to litigation involving United States Courts.

Roles and Responsibilities

Specified roles include command release authorities, privacy officers, record custodians, and legal advisors. Commanders at installations like Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and unit heads in formations such as I Marine Expeditionary Force must ensure compliance. Privacy officers coordinate with the Judge Advocate Division and the Inspector General of the Department of the Navy for oversight, while information technology managers work with agencies including Defense Information Systems Agency and National Institute of Standards and Technology to implement technical safeguards. Legal counsel liaises with entities such as the Department of Justice when addressing subpoenas and civil discovery, and public affairs officers coordinate disclosures consistent with guidance from offices like Defense Media Activity when interacting with media organizations such as The Washington Post or Stars and Stripes.

Implementation and Compliance

Implementation requires command-level dissemination, training programs for personnel, and recordkeeping audits. Compliance mechanisms include periodic inspections by the Inspector General of the Marine Corps, reporting requirements to the Secretary of the Navy, and integration into command readiness assessments used by staffs at Headquarters Marine Corps. Noncompliance may trigger administrative actions per Uniform Code of Military Justice provisions, civilian personnel actions under the Civil Service Reform Act, or referral to investigative bodies such as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The order encourages use of privacy training similar to programs offered by Office of Personnel Management and mandates coordination with the National Archives and Records Administration for records disposition.

Amendments and History

The order has been updated to reflect changes in federal law, DoD policy, and emergent technology. Early iterations paralleled shifts after major legislative changes like the Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996 and adjustments following cybersecurity initiatives under administrations during events such as the September 11 attacks. Subsequent revisions incorporated lessons from joint operations with partners in Operation Enduring Freedom and organizational reforms influenced by reviews from entities including the Government Accountability Office. Each amendment has been promulgated through Marine Corps channels and recorded at Headquarters Marine Corps for access by commands worldwide.

Category:United States Marine Corps orders