Director of Administration and Management
ADMINISTRATIVE
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER AI 50
May 20, 2015
Incorporating Change 2, February 10, 2022
DA&M
SUBJECT: Historical Research in the Files of the Office of the Secretary of Defense
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5105.53 (Reference
(a)) and Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum (Reference (c)), this administrative
instruction (AI) reissues AI 50 (Reference (d)), to implement policy and update procedures for
the programs that permit authorized personnel to perform historical research in records created
by or in the custody of OSD consistent with References (e) through (l)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This AI applies to:
a. OSD, the Defense Agencies, and the DoD Field Activities in the National Capital Region
that are serviced by Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) (referred to collectively in this AI
as the “WHS-serviced Components”)
b. All historical researchers as defined in the Glossary.
c. Cabinet level officials, former Presidential appointees (FPAs) to include their personnel,
aides, and researchers, seeking access to records containing information they originated,
reviewed, signed, or received while serving in an official capacity.
3. POLICY. It is OSD policy that:
a. Pursuant to Executive Order 13526 (Reference (e)), anyone requesting access to
classified material must possess the requisite security clearance.
b. Members of the public seeking the declassification of DoD documents under the
provisions of section 3.5 of Reference (e) will contact the appropriate OSD Component as listed
in DoD 5230.30-M (Reference (f)).
