Personal award citations for Afghan firefight June 2012

This message is to confirm your request submission to the FOIAonline application: View Request. Request information is as follows: (https://www.foiaonline.gov/foiaonline/action/public/submissionDetails?trackingNumber=DON-USMC-2020-005384&type=request)

* Tracking Number: DON-USMC-2020-005384
* Requester Name: Paul Szoldra
* Date Submitted: 03/08/2020
* Request Status: Submitted
* Description:
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

A copy of the personal award recommendation for actions on or around June 22, 2012 in Afghanistan on the following individuals, then assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment*:

1st Lt. Kenneth Conover (Silver Star)
Sgt. Kenneth Rick (Silver Star)
Sgt. Nicholas Brandau (Bronze Star w/V)
SSgt. Joshua Brodrick (Bronze Star w/V)
Cpl. Daniel Lallathan (Bronze Star w/V)
Pfc. Steven Stevens (Bronze Star w/V)
LCpl. Jeremy Horton (Navy Commendation Medal w/V)
Cpl. Gabriel Hernandez (Navy Commendation Medal w/V)
LCpl. Andrew Gettle (Navy Achievement Medal w/V)
HM3 Joseph Marcincowski (Navy Achievement Medal w/V)

*Please note ranks above are the ranks of those personnel at the time the personal award recommendations were submitted.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge on Task & Purpose, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.

I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Paul Szoldra
Editor in Chief, Task & Purpose
Phone: 347-867-8859

Good morning Mr. Szoldra,
This e-mail acknowledges receipt of your FOIA request for awards recommendation packages for several Navy and Marine Corps personnel.  Please note that we are currently extremely short-staffed and this may cause delays.  FOIA requesters may challenge any delay beyond the 20-working day limit by submitting an appeal through FOIAonline or by writing to the Judge Advocate General (Code 14), 1322 Patterson Avenue SE, Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC  20374-5066.  Your appeal, if any, must be postmarked within 90 calendar days from the date of this correspondence and should include a statement indicating why you believe it should be granted.
You also have the right to seek assistance and/or dispute resolution services from the department of the Navy FOIA Public Liaison, Mr. Christopher Julka, at (703) 697-0031 or Christopher.a.julka@navy.mil.  You may also contact the Office of Government Information Services for assistance and/or dispute resolution at ogis@nara.gov or (877) 684-6448.  For more information online about services provided by OGIS, please visit their website at https://ogis.archives.gov.
If you should have any questions or concerns throughout the process, please be sure to let us know.
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Dear Paul Szoldra <requests@muckrock.com>,
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Dear Paul Szoldra <requests@muckrock.com>,
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Dear Paul Szoldra <requests@muckrock.com>,
Your password has been updated per your request. You can change your password in the future from your
profile page.
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Thank you!
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Dear Paul Szoldra <requests@muckrock.com>,
Your password has been updated per your request. You can change your password in the future from your
profile page.
If you believe you received this email in error or need additional assistance, please contact the FOIAonline Help Desk. (mailto:foiaonline@cnservicedesk.net)
FOIAonline Team (mailto:foiaonline@cnservicedesk.net)

This message is to confirm your request submission to the FOIAonline application: View Request. Request information is as follows: (https://foiaonline.gov/foiaonline/action/public/submissionDetails?trackingNumber=DON-NAVY-2022-010505&type=Request)

* Tracking Number: DON-NAVY-2022-010505
* Requester Name:
Paul Szoldra
* Date Submitted: 07/13/2022
* Request Status: Submitted
* Description:
To Whom It May Concern: Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records: A copy of the personal award recommendation for actions on or around June 22, 2012 in Afghanistan on the following individuals, then assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment*: 1st Lt. Kenneth Conover (Silver Star) Sgt. Kenneth Rick (Silver Star) Sgt. Nicholas Brandau (Bronze Star w/V) SSgt. Joshua Brodrick (Bronze Star w/V) Cpl. Daniel Lallathan (Bronze Starw/V) Pfc. Steven Stevens (Bronze Starw/V) LC pl. Jeremy Horton
(Navy Commendation Medal w/V) Cpl. Gabriel Hernandez (Navy Commendation Medal w/V) LCpl.Andrew Gettle (Navy Achievement Medal w/V) HM3 Joseph Marcincowski (Navy Achievement Medal w/V) *Please note ranks above are the ranks of those personnel at the time the personal award recommendations were submitted. I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge on Task & Purpose, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage. In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. Thank you in advance for
your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely, Paul Szoldra Editor in Chief, Task & Purpose Phone: 347-867-8859

Mr. Szoldra,
Your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request of July 13, 2022 has been received by the Navy Personnel Command (NPC).  You request states: "Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records: A copy of the personal award recommendation for actions on or around June 22, 2012 in Afghanistan on the following individuals, then assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment*: 1st Lt. Kenneth Conover (Silver Star) Sgt. Kenneth Rick (Silver Star) Sgt. Nicholas Brandau (Bronze Star w/V) SSgt. Joshua Brodrick (Bronze Star w/V) Cpl. Daniel Lallathan (Bronze Starw/V) Pfc. Steven Stevens (Bronze Starw/V) LC pl. Jeremy Horton (Navy Commendation Medal w/V) Cpl. Gabriel Hernandez (Navy Commendation Medal w/V) LCpl.Andrew Gettle (Navy Achievement Medal w/V) HM3 Joseph Marcincowski (Navy Achievement Medal w/V) *Please note ranks above are the ranks of those personnel at the time the personal award recommendations were submitted. I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge on Task & Purpose, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage. In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires. Sincerely, Paul Szoldra Editor in Chief, Task & Purpose Phone: 347-867-8859.” This command received your request on July 13, 2022. Your FOIA request number is DON-NAVY-2022-010501 and your FOIA correspondence file number is 20220461.
The Department of the Navy’s (DON) FOIA regulations (32 CFR 701.8 (a)(1)), require a requester to describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable an employee familiar with the subject area of the request to locate responsive records with a reasonable amount of effort. Your request does not comply with this requirement because it appears to request documents that may not be within the cognizance of the U.S. Navy.  In order to process your request, we would need you to provide reasonable bounds on the types of records requested. Specifically, the Navy Personnel Command will only have cognizance over Official Military Personnel Records belonging to members of the U.S. Navy, this request includes members of other services.  Can you please clarify your request within the limits of NPC?
In accordance with 32 CFR 701.8 (a)(2)(c), we will not proceed further with your request until we receive the attached Standard Form 180 (SF-180) as well as the requested additional information from you. If we do not hear from you by July 17, 2022, we will assume you are no longer interested in this request and your FOIA request will be administratively closed for a lack of response.  If you submit a reformulated request after this date, it will be assigned a new tracking number and processed according to the new date of receipt.
If you have any questions, my contact information is below.

Sincerely,
ERIN J. RAMIL
Bureau of Naval Personnel
Office of Legal Counsel
FOIA/PA Officer, BUPERS-00J6
erin.ramil@navy.mil
(901) 874-3165

Your request for Fee Waiver for the FOIA request DON-NAVY-2022-010505 has been
denied.

* Fee Waiver Disposition Reason:
The FOIA, allows fees to be charged to certain types of requesters. Fees for representatives of the media pay only duplication fees, but receive the first 100 pages (or cost equivalent, which is currently $5.00) free of charge. You have agreed to pay up to $0.00 for the search, review and reproduction of the information you seek. According to applicable guidance, you will be given advance notice if it is determined any possible fees will exceed $0.00, minus first 100 pages. An estimate will be given to include a breakdown of the fees for search, review, and duplication of the information you seek. You will be given the opportunity to state your willingness to pay fees as high as those anticipated.

Good Afternoon Sir,

I wanted to follow-up my voicemail with a quick note.

Have you had a chance to look at the clarification request below? Can you please respond accordingly so we know how to move forward on your request/

If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Erin

DON-NAVY-2022-010505 has been processed with the following final disposition: No Records.  Please see attached correspondence.
Sincerely,
ERIN J. RAMIL
Bureau of Naval Personnel
Office of Legal Counsel
FOIA/PA Officer, BUPERS-00J6 erin.ramil@navy.mil (mailto:erin.ramil@navy.mil)
(901) 874-3165

Your request for Fee Waiver for the FOIA request DON-USMC-2020-005384 has been
denied.

* Fee Waiver Original Justification:
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge on Task & Purpose, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
* Fee Waiver Disposition Reason:
Denied as moot for "media requester". Please see letter of 23 JAN 23 for details and appeal rights.

DON-USMC-2020-005384 has been processed with the following final disposition: Partial Grant/Partial Denial.
------------------------------
Dear Mr. Szoldra,

Attached, please see our response to your Freedom of Information request.  We apologize for the delay you've experienced and truly appreciate your patience.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Michael Peters
Deputy, FOIA/PA Programs

703-614-4008
michael.l.peters3@usmc.mil