OSD Records and Declassification Program

Mission Statement

Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) has primary responsibility for the administration and operation of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Automatic (ADR), Systematic, Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR), and DoD Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) Programs in accordance with Executive Order 13526, DoDI 5200.01, DoD 5200.01-M Vol. 1-3, DoD 5230.30-M, the Department of State's Basic Authorities Act of 1991 and Public Law 22 U.S.C. § 4351 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 22 Foreign Relations and Intercourse § 4351, & 32 CFR Parts 2001 and 2003 Classified National Security Information; Final Rule. WHS serves as the primary focal point and principal liaison for the planning, implementation, and execution of OSD's Declassification Programs. WHS also serves as the coordinating office of responsibility for all public requests and referrals to the Joint Staff MDR Program. WHS is the only DoD designee for public release determinations of previously classified DoD foreign policy documents identified for inclusion in the FRUS historical book series published by the Office of the Historian, Department of State. WHS approves the publication of previously classified DoD equities associated with major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. 

WHS balances need for governmental transparency with the reality that many historical records contain information that must remain protected in order to safeguard classified national security information. Due to visibility and public interest; decisions are subject to executive, congressional, and media scrutiny. WHS's authority encompasses overall planning, direction, and timely execution of these programs to include the development, assignment, and high-level clearance of goals and objectives to ensure timely cost-effective results.